Floral Whisper Along the Silk Road Culture Journey of Maritime Silk Road ”event on 26th September 2018 at Hilton Park Nicosia

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Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning!

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Thanks for Cyprus Government, for your support to this event. It is a pleasure for us to meet you all here, in this beautiful historical city of Nicosia. Firstly, please allow me, on behalf of the City of Guangzhou and the 20 million people of Guangzhou to welcome all of the guests to Floral Whisper along the Silk Road, and thanks for your constant support to the cultural development of maritime silk road.

The city of Guangzhou initiated this event as part of cultural exchange activities series of Maritime Silk Road. Over two thousand years ago, silk, porcelain, tea and other commodities from Guangzhou traveled westward from the maritime silk road through the Indian Ocean to west Asia and north Africa, and then to Europe, prospering the trade and economy of the countries along the way, leaving a large number of precious objects and relics related to the maritime silk road

Like Nicosia, Guangzhou has a history of more than 2,000 years. From the 3rd century AD, Guangzhou has become the main port of the maritime silk road. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Guangzhou became the largest port in China. In early Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty, the Canton System dominated for a long time. It is the only permanent port in the history of world maritime traffic. The Site of Nanyue Kingdom Palace, the Mausoleum of the Emperor Wen of Nanyue Kingdom, Guangxiao Temple, Temple of South Sea God and Site of Ancient Port, the Huaisheng Mosque, the Mausoleum of Moslem Masters (Saad bin Abi Waqqas Mosque) are representative historical relics of the maritime silk road who deprived from the Qin and Han dynasties, Tang and Song dynasties as well as the Ming and Qing dynasties. The coexistence, exchange and integration of cultural customs of different countries and local Chinese culture in Guangzhou has made Guangzhou a diversified cultural hub and an open and inclusive urban character.

With its unique geographical location and shipping advantages, Cyprus plays an important role in building the 21st century maritime silk road. At present, Guangzhou and Nicosia are facing vast development opportunities. We are willing to exchange, share experience, expand consensus and conduct all-round cultural communication and cooperation with Nicosia. Focusing on the theme of cooperation on the protection of the cultural heritage of the maritime silk road, we should share resources and achieve mutual benefits, enhance the cultural communication of the two cities, enrich the cultural branding of both cities, strive to better discover, focus and spread the value of the maritime silk road, and strengthen our friendship and to achieve the beautiful vision of peace, sharing, exchange and mutual benefit.

This year witnesses the 5th Anniversary of jointly building “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiated by President Xi Jinping. Let’s advance the maritime silk road and deepen our friendship.

Let us go further on the basis of the profound traditional cultures of the two countries. With the global cultural integration, we will continue to write a new chapter in the development of the Maritime Silk Road!

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