On June 20, the Chinese Embassy in The Gambia held the 6th China-Gambia Bantaba, which witnessed the launching ceremony of the "China Corner" at Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School in commemoration of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations and the International Chinese Language Day. Counsellor Zhao Shangsen, Bakary Ceesay, representative of Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and Ismaila Ceesay, Principal of Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School, participated in the event along with some 2,000 teachers and students.
Zhao Shangsen congratulated Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School on the official launch of its "China Corner", introduced the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, watched with participating guests the video message delivered by Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Zhao stressed that China cherishes its traditional friendship with Africa and supports The Gambia in the development of youth education. China is committed to working with the Gambian side to pass down the China-Gambia friendship from generation to generation.
Gambian representatives expressed gratitude to the embassy for its support in the field of youth education, commended China's active efforts to promote exchanges and dialogue among different civilizations. They encouraged students to learn Chinese and strengthen mutual learning between the two civilizations.
The "China Corner" at Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School is the second one established with support from the Chinese Embassy in The Gambia. The first "China Corner" was opened at Nusrat Senior Secondary School in 2020. The event featured performances of Chinese lion dance and traditional Gambian music and tribal dances. An exhibition of award-winning paintings on Chinese themes by students of Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School was held, along with an awards ceremony. Students from Nusrat Senior Secondary School were invited to perform the Chinese pop song "Friends" and recite the poem "Quiet Night Thought". The atmosphere at the event was lively.
Representatives of The Confucius Institute at the University of The Gambia, Chinese Residents Association in The Gambia, China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in The Gambia, China-Gambia Alumni Student Association, and The Gambia Kung-Fu Wushu Federation were among the invited guests, and exchanged views on the best way forward in the promotion of China-Gambia friendship and People-to-people exchanges, a topic of common interest to all present.