Recently, the Enugu New Town Road Project undertaken by China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) hosted a cultural event themed “Zongzi Aroma Spreads Warmth, Jointly Building the Silk Road”. Chinese and Nigerian staff gathered to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, exchange cultural traditions and strengthen bilateral friendship, advancing people-to-people connectivity between China and Nigeria under the Belt and Road Initiative.
All employees watched a bilingual short film introducing the history and customs of China’s Dragon Boat Festival. Nigerian team members also shared stories and rituals of the local Igogo Harvest Festival. Through this cross-cultural exchange, both sides realized that the patriotism embedded in the Dragon Boat Festival and the gratitude embodied in the Igogo Festival reflect the shared aspiration of all people for a happy life, fostering mutual respect and appreciation between two distinct cultures.
The food-making session brought the event to its highlight. Guided by Nigerian colleagues, Chinese workers learned to prepare Okpa, a beloved local Nigerian delicacy. Everyone collaborated closely and exchanged cooking skills, bridging gaps and building closer bonds through hands-on teamwork. At the end of the activity, Chinese and Nigerian staff wrote sincere wishes on message boards, praying for smooth project progress, healthy families and sustained friendship between the two nations.
This year marks the Year of China-Africa Cultural Exchange and the 55th anniversary of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations. Adhering to localized development principles, CCCC pushes forward high-quality infrastructure construction while regularly organizing joint cultural celebrations, vocational training and community support programs.
This Dragon Boat Festival cultural exchange serves as a vivid example of shifting from physical infrastructure connectivity to heartfelt people-to-people bonding. It showcases the deep camaraderie between Chinese and Nigerian builders working side by side, laying a solid public foundation for deeper China-Nigeria cooperation.
