Consulate General of China: Chinese New Year 2019 Reflects True Balinese-Chinese Relations

Denpasar (Atnews) - The Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in Denpasar, Gou Haodong, got a true reflection of Bali from the celebration of Chinese New Year 2570 held by Chinese-Indonesian Association (INTI) of Bali Chapter in Ksiraaarnawa Building on Saturday (Feb. 23).

The activity gave inspiration in enhancing relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, namely Indonesia (Bali) and China. The Chinese New Year celebration by INTI Bali is the best ever found and truly reflects the proximity of Bali and China, said Haodong.

The series of events were arranged so neatly by presenting the national anthem Indonesia Raya and Balinese pop song entitled Taksu depicting the real Bali, Lion Dance and the comedy appearance of Dadong Rerod.

More interestingly, Dadong Rerods appearance explained the evidence of the legacy of the mixture of Balinese and Chinese culture remaining to be inherited until these days. Coupled with the implementation of the Balinkang Festival some time ago, it has opened the attention of Chinese tourists to get interested in coming to Bali.

For this reason, his party is optimistic that this year it will be able to receive Chinese tourist visit of around 2 million people because in 2018 it already reached 1.8 million people. The effort is expected to increase the interest of Chinese tourists to come to Bali because the news on the story of King Jayapangus (Bali) married to Princess Kang Cing Wie (PRC) has been disseminated to various media in China.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), Ida Pangelingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, led the prayers in the Chinese New Years celebration. It marked a diversity where the celebrations were made for the Chinese people. 

On this occasion, as a Balinese and Hindu I am given the honor of making a prayer for salvation of the nation and state. Thus, this diversity should be preserved so that Indonesian people will get harmonious, peaceful and happy life, he said.

He hoped the event will be a moment of introspection. Moreover, Indonesian people get trials from fake news, utterances of hatred in facing the democratic party of the simultaneous presidential and legislative election on the upcoming April 17.

Meanwhile, Regional Secretary of Bali government, Dewa Made Indra, also hoped that such differences will not become a divisive specter of togetherness having been established for hundreds of years in Bali. Necessarily, it must be done together to build connecting bridges between both countries.

Chairperson of the INTI Bali, Sudiarta Indrajaya, said the celebration featuring the theme Building Harmony to Strengthen National Unity. These efforts can unify the nation which will later on be able to educate community life while at the same time increase the character of human resources.

In implementing this, INTI Bali together with the leaders of organizations and community leaders caring about Bali agreed to establish INTI Healthy Bali Club. This club is believed to be as facilitator to promote the Andrie Wongso (AW) Gymnastics named Healthy Vivacious Happy (S3) in Bali.

The declaration ran successfully where Chairman of the Indonesia National Sport Committee (KONI) of Bali Chapter, Ketut Suwandi, read out the declaration on the promotion of AW S3 Gymnastics in Bali at the Denpasar Art Center that morning.

In front of more than 1,000 participants of gymnastics, Chairman of KONI Bali together with dozens of chairman of organization and interfaith foundation as well as the ethnic groups signed the declaration attended by all participants of the AW S3 gymnastics.

This is a trust and responsibility of the IKBS in our joint efforts to invite people in Bali to live a healthy life. We are very optimistic because health is everyones dream and the AW S3 gymnastics is able to answer it, he said.

As part of the activities of the INTI organization with social virtue and nationalism in nature, the IKBS accepted enthusiastically the mandate given by the cooperation partners of various elements of the community. (ART)