China and Nigeria on Wednesday deepened their cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges through tea ceremonies, guqin performances and traditional cultural displays at the 2026 Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon in Abuja.

The salon featured four traditional Chinese ancient art aimed at promoting mutual understanding between both countries.

The salon was organised by the Chinese Embassy, the China Centre of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion, and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.

Zhou Hongyou, the minister of the Chinese embassy in Nigeria described tea as a bridge for dialogue and mutual learning among civilisations.

“Tea has become a bridge for dialogue and mutual learning between Chinese civilisation and other civilisations around the world,” he said.

He noted that Chinese tea culture, which originated about 5,000 years ago, spread globally through the Silk Road and Tea Road and had become part of people’s daily lives across the world.

According to him, the ancient maritime silk road symbolised peaceful cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit among nations.

“The ancient silk road carried not only spices, silk and porcelain, but also the spirit of peaceful cooperation, openness, mutual learning and mutual benefit,” he said.

Mr Zhou said the spirit continued to guide China-Nigeria relations and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Abdulkarim Ibrahim, the permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, described tea as a symbol of harmony and cultural exchange.

“Tea is far more than a beverage. It is a vessel of history, a symbol of harmony and a medium of cultural exchange,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim noted that Nigeria’s growing tea culture reflected the country’s openness to global influences and intercultural dialogue.

He said the Nigerian government remained committed to strengthening partnerships with China in tourism, creative economy development and cultural exchange.

According to him, events such as the cultural salon will deepen friendship and create opportunities for collaboration between both countries.

The event featured a live performance of the ancient Chinese guqin musical instrument by Master Yang Chao, who also explained its over 3,000-year history and significance in traditional Chinese culture.

Guests were treated to demonstrations of traditional incense ceremonies by Master Li Cha, ceramic art exhibitions and porcelain displays by Master Ma Huiyuan, as well as Gongfu tea brewing and Pu’er tea tasting sessions by Master Liu Xintong.

(NAN)