The flourishing cultural ties between China and Brazil, reinforced by a rapidly deepening economic relationship, are further highlighted by the opening of a new tea garden.
The China-Brazil Friendship Garden was opened at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Zhu Qingqiao, Brazilian Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes, Brazil's central bank governor-elect Gabriel Galipolo, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden president Sergio Besserman Vianna, and more than 100 other representatives from both sides attended the opening ceremony.
This project, completed with an investment of over 700,000 U.S. dollars, is a joint investment by China's State Grid Brazil Branch and the Bank of Communications. It includes the restoration of the historic Casa de Pacheco Leao and its surrounding area.
According to the director of Corporate Governance at the State Grid Brazil Holding, the Botanical Garden houses a 200-year-old tea tree planted by the first generation of Chinese immigrants. On the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations and during the G20 events, they want to continue the 200-year-old friendship.
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden president Sergio Besserman Vianna said that the garden is a hub for promoting Chinese culture.
"The Botanical Garden is deeply grateful. It has become a hub for promoting Chinese culture in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on biodiversity, botanical sciences, and the emotional, cultural, and material interests of our peoples," said Vianna.
The musicians performing during the opening ceremony were an ensemble made up of young talents coming from some of Rio's underprivileged communities.
Supported by China's State Grid, these musicians even had a chance to perform in China earlier this year.
"Oh, it was incredible because it was my first time playing with symphonic orchestra, and we played with a lot of instruments that I never saw in my life. So it was incredible and hard," said Maria Eduarda Silva da Paz Santos, a musician.
As China and Brazil strengthen their economic partnership, initiatives like this are paving the way to deepen the cultural connection between the two nations.
Friendship tea garden deepens cultural ties between China, Brazil
Friendship tea garden deepens cultural ties between China, Brazil
