(19:00, 10 January 2020, Siri Fort Auditorium)

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

    Good evening!

    Welcome to enjoy the "Happy Spring Festival" performances. First of all, I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China for its great support to this event. My thanks also go to the artists from China Oriental Performing Arts Group and China National Symphony Orchestra for traveling all the way here. Thanks all the friends from China and India for their hard work to make it happen.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Oriental Song and Dance Troupe under the China Oriental Performing Arts Group is the most prominent national song and dance troupe in China, which enjoys high reputation at home and abroad. Tonight, they are going to present a wonderful show, creating poems and paintings with music and dances and showcasing the essence of traditional Chinese culture. I hope this cultural feast could help you learn more about China and come to love Chinese culture.

    Today's performance unveils the series of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India. A number of events will be held in this regard. 2020 also marks the Year of China-India Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges. Let the "Dragon-Elephant Tango" begin with culture and art.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    If China and India were two dancers, then China-India relationship is perhaps like a tango. The leaders of our two countries, during their informal meetings, have set the tone that China and India present important opportunities to each other, and both sides should help each other to accomplish respective goals and "brighten up" each other.

    As the world's largest developing countries and emerging economies, China and India would be in the limelight of the world if our two countries can realize "Dragon-Elephant Tango" and engage in win-win cooperation. It would make the world a more dynamic and prosperous place with more certainty.

    As two ancient civilizations with long histories, if China and India can realize "Dragon-Elephant Tango" and conduct exchanges in culture and arts, it would certainly facilitate mutual learning among civilizations and make the garden of human civilizations more colorful.

    It takes two to tango and the key to a good dance is all about mutual trust. We should follow the strategic guidance of our two leaders, strengthen strategic communication, and enhance political mutual trust, so that the consensus reached by the two sides can be transmitted to all levels of society and translated into tangible actions and outcomes.

    It takes practice to dance the tango. The tacit understanding and coordination between the two dancers is indispensable. I am confident that as long as China and India always bear in mind the overall picture and long term interests, strive to shape bilateral ties and properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, we certainly have the wisdom and capacity to blaze a new path for the two large neighbors to enjoy peaceful coexistence and common development.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    The Chinese lunar Year of the Rat will arrive in two weeks. In Chinese culture, the rat represents intelligence and vitality, while in Indian culture, it is the mount of God Ganesh and represents wisdom and talent.

    On the occasion of this auspicious event, I wish China and India as well as their people peace, prosperity and happiness. I also wish China-India relationship, a "Dragon-Elephant Tango", can bring peace and development to the region and the world at large.

    With these words, I wish tonight's performance a great success. Wish you all a happy and wonderful evening! Thank you very much!