The China-Kazakhstan Year of Cultural Exchange opened in Beijing on Tuesday, with artists from both countries shared the stage in a showcase of music, dance and fashion designed to highlight the ties between the two countries.
At the opening ceremony, artists from China and Kazakhstan jointly performed folk songs, pop singings, and dances. They also staged a fashion show.
The performance showcased the cultural achievements of both countries and highlighted the results of China-Kazakhstan cultural exchanges.
"The opening ceremony of the China-Kazakhstan Year of Cultural Exchange was designed with simplicity and elegance as its main style. The program included artists of the two countries performing the works of other country and both countries. The event has deepened mutual understanding among artists, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened friendship between the two peoples and mutual prosperity of the two countries," said Shan Chong, chief director of the opening ceremony.
"I hope our artists and youth can continue to exchange in different forms and build a bridge of communication between hearts," said Tan Weiwei, a Chinese singer.
The event was jointly organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.
The two countries will hold themed performances, exhibitions, joint archaeological activities and art seminars throughout the year.
China-Kazakhstan Year of Cultural Exchange opens in Beijing
China-Kazakhstan Year of Cultural Exchange opens in Beijing
The spillover effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are having a noticeable impact as far afield as Peru, a country highly reliant on energy imports, with the costs of transportation and daily supplies all climbing due to the hike in fuel prices.
Global oil prices have been rising as a result of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict and concerns over the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital passageway that typically carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
Prices in Peru have also been worsened in the country after a natural gas pipeline explosion in the Cusco Province last month, which caused a significant gas supply shortage.
At present, the prices of gasoline and diesel in Peru have doubled since the start of the conflict in late February, forcing companies to raise the costs of passenger and freight transportation to offset their losses.
Many are concerned that this will have a considerable knock-on effect which could hamper economic activities and ultimately harm the wallets of local residents who are being forced to pay the price.
"What's the worst is that transportation will affect all activities throughout the economy, including the passenger sector, both intra-city and inter-provincial," said Martin Ojeda, the leader of a transportation workers' union.
"Everything has become more expensive. Both daily necessities and transportation are all very expensive," said a local vendor in the capital Lima.
"Previously, a roast chicken cost me about 45 soles (12.8 U.S. dollars), but now it has risen to 60 soles (over 17 U.S. dollars). This doesn't fit my financial situation, so I have to give up a lot of consumption. People like me who live on pensions are greatly affected," said another resident.
Meanwhile, the prices of fertilizers like urea have risen by around 16 percent over the past month as a result of the conflict, with the Middle East being a major global supplier of fertilizers, as these spiraling costs are also affecting food production and animal husbandry in Peru.
Transportation, living costs rise in Peru as conflict rages on in Middle East
