Civilization dialogue between Fujian, Okinawa deepens friendship

The Fujian-Okinawa Civilization Dialogue series of events were held on March 15 in Naha city, capital of Okinawa prefecture in Japan, with over 60 delegates from East China's Fujian province and Okinawa in attendance.

Okinawa was formerly known as the Ryukyu Kingdom and the activities featured the Fujian-Ryukyu youth scholars academic symposium and the Fujian-Ryukyu music exchange, where young scholars from both regions engaged in academic discussions on historical and cultural exchanges, heritage preservation and more.

The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Fujian Normal University China Ryukyu Research Institute.

Young musicians and dancers from Fujian and Okinawa showcased the enchanting fusion of Fujian-Ryukyu music and culture through ensemble performances and traditional dances.

Okinawa shares a profound historical link with Fujian. During the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhu Yuanzhang dispatched skilled shipbuilders and navigators from Fujian to settle in Ryukyu, laying the groundwork for enduring ties between the two regions.

The longstanding friendly exchanges between Fujian and Okinawa have cultivated a shared culture encompassing dietary habits, customs, architectural styles and ancient music, highlighting numerous similarities.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relations between Fujian and Okinawa. Over the years, the two regions have made significant strides in economic and trade exchanges, cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation.

Most notably, the youth taiko drum exchanges have become a symbol of bilateral relations, garnering widespread acclaim. It's hoped that both sides will continue to collaborate in this fashion, expand the scope of exchanges and deepen their friendly relations.