Celebration event held in Abu Dhabi to mark 40 years of China-UAE diplomatic ties

A celebration event is taking place at Corniche, Abu Dhabi, to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), presenting a carnival of cultural exchanges between the two peoples.

The three-day event, named "Building Bridges for the Future: UAE-China", opened Friday under the theme of "Reflecting on the Past, Present, and Future."

Visitors to the event are immersed in a vibrant blend of Chinese and Emirati culture, featuring interactive workshops that encourage attendees to explore traditional crafts from both countries.

Through hands-on activities like calligraphy, fan painting and basket weaving, guests have the opportunity to engage with artistry that has been passed down through generations, celebrating the shared values of craftsmanship and heritage.

Artisan stalls along the Corniche showcase handcrafted goods from both Chinese and Emirati artists, offering a close-up glimpse into the cultural richness of each country.

"That's really a very nice chance to a lot of people anyway, and also in China to know what's going on between these two countries. And 40 years of relationship - it's a big period and very interesting. Here on the events today we saw a lot of different culture between the two countries. Everyone happy, everyone likes to know some things about the other country. Like for example, for me I would like to know what's about the Chinese culture, and also the Chinese people want to know that Arabic culture. So I find this a very nice chance for people to know about China and the UAE," said Sultan Alkaabi, a UAE visitor.

The event has attracted many local people. In addition to showcasing traditional handicrafts from the two countries, food tasting is also a highlight.

"On such a special day, the UAE royal family and government decided to host a unique event to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations at the most vibrant Corniche in central Abu Dhabi. I felt a strong sense of friendship in the air. I have learned that this event was personally organized by Sheikha Maryam, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's eldest daughter, and she focused on every detail. This truly reflects the UAE royal family's significant commitment to the event of 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE," said Zhang Yiming, China's ambassador to the UAE.

Celebration event held in Abu Dhabi to mark 40 years of China-UAE diplomatic ties

The Island of Goree was once a key transit center on the western coast of Africa in slave trade.

The tiny island of Senegal, which is not far from Senegal's capital Dakar, dots the azure Atlantic coastline. It is the nearest point on the continent to the Americas.

The island has brightly-colored buildings and lush flora, make it hard to associate this picturesque island with the brutal history of the slave trade.

However, historical remnants reveal a darker past.

The island was successively occupied by the Portugal, the Netherlands, Britain, and France, who used it as a slave warehouse and eventually made it West Africa's largest slave trade center.

At least 20 million Africans were trafficked through this island to the Americas and other places, and 5 million Africans died on the island from the 15th century to the 19th century, statistics showed.

Due to its historic significance in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Goree was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

"Why was Goree one of the most important transit centers, because first of all, if you try to compare all the West African coast, you can see from here you could cross more closer to America. And the second [reason], as an island when they brought captees, they couldn't escape. Any European nations based here used to build up a kind of fortification. This was the French one. And they had all this to defend the island. It was so strategical, because from Goree that must help them to make control all along of the West African coast," said Laidi, a local guide.

Today, Goree stands as a poignant reminder of past atrocities and a symbol of the enduring spirit of liberation and justice.

Each year on Dec 2, which is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, the world reflects on these injustices and renews its commitment to ending slavery.

Senegal's Goree Island: from center of slave trade to symbol of freedom