On January 21, all the staff of Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius were invited to attend the Chinese New Year reception held by the Chinese Embassy. The President of the Republic of Mauritius, His Excellency Dharambeer Gokhool, the Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam, His Excellency, Vice-President Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Paul Raymond Bérenger, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, the Honourable Dhananjay Ramful, graced the function. Representatives of Chinese enterprises, members of the Chinese community, and several hundred guests from various sectors of the country were present.
In her address, Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Mauritius, Dr Shifang Huang highlighted China’s continued development resilience and noted that 2026 marks the furthering of the China–Mauritius strategic partnership, with cooperation across multiple fields set to deepen further. Looking ahead, China is willing to expand pragmatic cooperation with Mauritius, enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
His Excellency, President Dharambeer Gokhool delivered warm greetings, expressing his best wishes for China’s prosperity and reaffirming the enduring friendship between the two countries.
The cultural performances presented by the Confucius Institute teachers were a highlight of the evening. Qiuming Zheng performed the traditional dance “Thirty Thousand Miles from Chang’an”, earning enthusiastic applause with her graceful and expressive movements.
The calligraphy booth, hosted by Shanni Yang, also attracted large crowds as she wrote New Year blessings and guided guests in brush writing.
Meanwhile, Derong Hui led a lively paper-cutting activity, allowing guests to experience this traditional folk art firsthand and adding to the festive atmosphere.
The reception served as a meaningful platform for China–Mauritius cultural exchange. Through traditional arts such as dance, calligraphy, and paper-cutting, the Confucius Institute teachers vividly demonstrated the richness and charm of Chinese culture.
Looking ahead to the 2026 “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, the Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius will continue to promote cultural interaction through diverse activities, deepen mutual understanding, and contribute to stronger friendship and cooperation between China and Mauritius.
