A wooden sculpture presented as a diplomatic gift from Burundi to China showcases the unique regional culture and testifies to the strong ties between China and this African country.
The wooden sculpture was presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye when he visited China to attend the 31st Summer Edition of the FISU World University Games in 2023.
"In July 2023, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in China. He presented this wooden sculpture representing a Burundian ritual drum dance," said Hu Zexia, curator of the Exhibition of Diplomatic Gifts received by China's Leaders.
In Burundi, drum is a revered instrument. The drum dance is a traditional folk art cherished by the Burundian people. The wooden drums are typically made from a type of tree abundant in central Burundi, with one end of the trunk hollowed out and covered with cowhide. The thickness of the drum walls and the size of the drumhead determine the sound produced by the drum.
"The drum is painted with the colors of the Burundian flag, and the performer, who is also dressed in those colors, balances the large drum on their head while playing it as they enter the stage. Normally, the dancers form a semicircle and perform various dance moves in sync with the drumbeats, creating a strong sense of rhythm that makes the audience feel the lively and joyful atmosphere of the performance," said Hu. The gift on display helps visitors learn more about the African country and its close ties with China.
Unique drummer sculpture gifted by Burundi to China symbolizes lasting friendship
Unique drummer sculpture gifted by Burundi to China symbolizes lasting friendship
A Chinese envoy urged the United States on Friday to desist from undermining international solidarity, creating division and antagonism, and provoking bloc confrontations on the Ukraine crisis.
"In the ongoing Ukraine crisis, there has been a steady influx of large quantities of weapons and ammunition into the battlefield," which will only lead to escalated situation and the loss of more civilian lives, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the UN Security Council briefing on arms supply to Ukraine.
High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said at the meeting that any transfer of weapons and ammunition must comply with the applicable international legal framework and Security Council's resolutions. She called on all parties to act in accordance with international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian facilities, and resolve the current conflict through political means at an early date.
In the discussion that followed, Vasily Nebenzya, Russian permanent representative to the UN, said that using long-range missiles supplied by Western countries to strike Russia will result in severe consequences. He reiterated that Russia is open to negotiations with Ukraine, while the Western nations are unwilling to engage in dialog.
In response to remarks by the U.S. representative, Geng emphasized that "China did not create the Ukraine crisis, much less are we a party to the conflict."
China has not supplied weapons to either party, and has consistent and rigorous controls over dual-use items, said Geng, adding China maintains normal trade and economic cooperation with all countries around the world, including Russia and Ukraine.
He called on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate their political will, meet each other halfway, put an early end to the hostilities, and relaunch peace talks. He also called on the international community to pave the way to this end by providing tangible assistance and facilitation, and urged all parties concerned to put peace and humanity first and re-channel their resources and energy to ending hostilities through diplomacy.
Underscoring that China's position on the Ukraine issue "is objective and impartial," the ambassador said that for over two years, China has been working hard to promote peace and encourage and facilitate peace talks.
He elaborated the efforts made by China and other countries on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including the six-point consensus jointly issued by China and Brazil in May this year. This fully demonstrates that diplomatic negotiations and a political settlement meet the common expectations of the majority of countries and represent the will of the international community, Geng added.
"We hope that the United States will not continue to turn a deaf ear to these calls for peace, that it will desist from discrediting and obstructing the diplomatic efforts of China and other countries concerned, undermining international solidarity, creating division and antagonism, and provoking bloc confrontations, and that it will truly play a constructive role in bringing an early end to the war and achieving peace," Geng said.
Chinese envoy urges US to desist from creating antagonism
