By CHARLES lWUOHA

The China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has pledged to deepen its engagement with Nigerian communities by supporting the preservation and promotion of local customs and traditions, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and China.

The company’s Project Manager, Jin Haibing, made the commitment on Monday in a statement issued to newsmen after joining residents of Nchatancha Nike Community in Enugu State to celebrate the New Yam Festival, which coincided with China’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

Haibing said the joint celebration provided an opportunity for CCCC staff and members of the host community to come together, interact and explore ways of promoting local cultural traditions while strengthening friendship through cultural exchange.

He described the celebration as an important platform for fostering mutual understanding between people from different cultural backgrounds, noting that cultural activities could play a significant role in strengthening community relations and cooperation.

The New Yam Festival, popularly known as Iri Ji in Igbo culture, is one of the major traditional celebrations among the Igbo people, marking the harvest season and expressing gratitude while symbolising hopes for peace, prosperity and a better future.

Similarly, China’s Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally associated with family reunion, harmony and goodwill.

Haibing noted that despite the festivals originating from different cultural traditions, they share common values centred on harvest, happiness, unity and aspirations for a better life.

The celebration featured traditional prayers, goodwill messages, cultural displays, traditional dances and the ceremonial presentation of new yam, providing CCCC officials and community members an opportunity to experience and appreciate the cultural heritage of the host community.

CCCC staff and residents also interacted freely and shared local food in a warm and friendly atmosphere, further strengthening the bond between the company and members of the community where it carries out its activities.

Community representatives expressed appreciation to CCCC for what they described as its long-standing involvement in infrastructure development, community engagement and support for initiatives aimed at promoting local development.

The representatives also acknowledged the company’s efforts to maintain close ties with host communities, stressing that such engagement had helped create opportunities for interaction and mutual understanding beyond its infrastructure projects.

Over the years, CCCC said it had continued to promote local engagement in Nigeria by respecting local customs and traditions, participating in community and cultural activities and maintaining relationships with residents in its areas of operation.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with local communities, fulfilment of its social responsibilities and promotion of stronger people-to-people ties.

The Chinese firm noted further that the cultural exchanges would remain an important part of strengthening cooperation and friendship between Nigeria and China.