(Siri Fort, April 2 2012)

Shri Shahid Mehdi, Vice President, ICCR
Shri Anwar Haleem, Deputy Director General, ICCR
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Welcome all guests to the performance by Xinjiang Muqam Art Troupe from China. I would like to take this opportunity to thank ICCR for inviting the troupe to visit and perform in India. The ICCR's longstanding and fruitful effort in promoting international cultural exchanges in general and China-India culture exchanges in particular is highly appreciated.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-India relation is developing in an all round manner. This year is the Year of Friendship and Cooperation between China and India, just launched by the Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sideline of the 4th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Within this framework, a number of exchange programmes will be organized in political, economic and cultural fields and between people to people throughout the Year. The tour by the Xinjiang Muqam Art Troupe and its performance in New Delhi and Bangalore, is part of the program.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in northwestern China. Throughout history, the people of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang have created rich and vibrant cultures which have made unique contribution to the development of Chinese culture. Situated along the ancient Silk Road, Xinjiang has given its culture strong regional and ethnic characteristics. Xinjiang Muqam Arts of China has been approved by UNESCO as "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity", characterized by diversity of content, dance styles, music and instruments. It is a treasure of Chinese ethnic performing arts. The Xinjiang Muqam Art Troupe has toured many countries around the world and won a lot of fame and praise.

I am sure all of you will enjoy tonight's performance. Thank you.

Group Photo of Ambassador Zhang Yan with the Performers