On the afternoon of March 30, under the guidance of the Asia Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Taiko Drum Cultural Exchange Meeting and the Establishment Ceremony of “Yulong Taiko Drum Team” were held in FPNU, as the 25th anniversary commemoration of the establishment of friendship between Fujian Province and Okinawa Prefecture. Chen Zhiyong, Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President of FPNU, attended the meeting and presented the flag to the “Yulong Taiko Drum Team”. Online attendees included Chen Jialin, Director of the Asia Department of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Fujian Province, Qiu Xiaoyan, Deputy Director of the Translation Office, Majikina Yu, Chief Representative of Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation Fuzhou Office, Taiichi Hirata, South Island poet and consultant for the revitalization of Okinawa culture and art, Lina Tamaki from Kariyushi (a joint venture), relevant personnel of the Exchange Promotion Section of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Okinawa and the Asia Section of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labor of Okinawa, professional coaches of the Okinawa Taiko Drum Team and members of the Taiko Drum Teams from 9 colleges and universities in Fujian province. Relevant heads of the Party and Administration Office, the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the Youth League Committee, the School of Foreign Languages and the School of Physical Education, the instructor of “Yulong Taiko Drum Team” and all its members presented at the meeting.

Vice President Chen Zhiyong pointed out that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of friendship between Fujian Province and Okinawa Prefecture. The establishment of Taiko Drum Team in FPNU shows the folk friendship cultivated in the past 25 years. He hopes that “Yulong Taiko Drum Team” can thrive under the common concern of all parties and make positive contributions to strengthening friendly interaction and deepening non-governmental exchanges between Fujian and Okinawa.

 Vice President Chen Zhiyong presented the flag to the “Yulong Taiko Drum Team”, and through video link, Mr. Taiichi Hirata presided over the ceremony of pounding drums for the team. Some team members showed a brief Taiko Drum performance on site.

Mr. Majikina Yu and Mr. Taiichi Hirata congratulated the establishment of the Taiko Drum Team of FPNU, sent blessings, and introduced Taiko Drum culture to the teachers and students attending the meeting.

On the day of the event, the Taiko Drum Team in Okinawa gave online teaching guidance to all members of the “Yulong Taiko Drum Team” and representatives of other teams in Fujian, and conducted a wonderful Taiko Drum martial arts show.(Office of International Cooperation and Exchange)

(Translated by Lin Huimin

/Reviewed by Xu Qinliang)