A Golden Journey of 55 Years: “Flower of China-Sudan Friendship” in Perpetual Bloom
in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe
BY: Mr. XU Jian, Charge d’Affaires of Chinese Embassy in Sudan
On the evening of May 25, 2026, a celebration was held in Port Sudan in a warm and joyful atmosphere to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe. The event was attended by representatives from various sectors of China and Sudan, including a delegation of the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe that had traveled all the way from the capital, Khartoum. Among the delegation were Mr. Majdi Babiker, head of the troupe and Mrs. Nahed Sharhabil, manager of the troupe, all of whom were part of the troupe’s first members when it was formed in 1971. The Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe of China also sent a congratulatory video message specially for the occasion. The event vividly reflected the profound friendship between China and Sudan and conveyed best wishes for the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe.
Fifty-five years is but a fleeting moment in the long course of human history. Yet for the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe, it has been a golden journey of remarkable achievements, reflecting, from one perspective, the deep friendship between the two countries and peoples.
Fifty-five years ago, a group of Sudanese kids traveled thousands of miles from Sudan to Wuhan, China, carrying the earnest expectations of the older generation of Chinese and Sudanese leaders. At the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe, teachers patiently taught them the basic acrobatic skills step by step and cared for them as if they were their own children. Those Sudanese kids called their Chinese acrobatic teachers “dad” and “mom”, heartfelt words that expressed their respect and affection for their Chinese teachers. This bond of affection has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. It was this family-like affection, transcending mountains and seas, that gave birth to the first acrobatic troupe in the Arab world and on the African continent, sowing the seeds of the “flower of China-Sudan friendship.”
Over the past 55 years, the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe, hailed as the “flower of China-Sudan friendship,” has grown and flourished under the joint care of the two peoples, blossoming ever more brightly amid challenges and becoming a shining symbol of China-Sudan friendship. After returning to Sudan, veteran members of the troupe, such as Mr. Majdi Babiker, Mrs. Nahed Sharhabil and Mr. Mudawi Omer, started from scratch. They blended the grace and delicacy of Chinese acrobatics with the passion and vitality of Africa, creating a distinctive artistic style of their own and making the troupe a bright “cultural card” of Sudan. More importantly, the troupe has helped acrobatic art take root and flourish across the African continent. We will never forget that when Wuhan and the rest of China were facing the challenge of COVID-19, the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe staged a special cheer-up performance in support of Wuhan at the earliest opportunity, sending warmth and support from the Sudanese people to the Chinese people far away. Such solidarity and mutual assistance in times of adversity is a vivid illustration of China-Sudan friendship. The Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe has taken deep root in the hearts of both peoples and will forever be remembered in the glorious history of friendly exchanges between China and Sudan.
For 55 years, the enduring bloom of this flower has been nurtured by the fertile soil of China-Sudan relations. History and reality have fully proven that the profound friendship between the two peoples is inseparable from China-Sudan relations. Just as acrobatics requires mutual trust among performers, the relationship between China and Sudan is built on a high degree of mutual trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1959, China and Sudan have always upheld the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit and offered each other firm support on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns, setting a fine example of solidarity, cooperation and sincerity between developing countries. Not long ago, on behalf of friends from across the Sudanese society, the League of Peoples Organization in Sudan successfully held a “Thank You, China” event, where we were deeply moved by this profound friendship and kindness. We are convinced that no matter how the international landscape may evolve, China-Sudan friendship will grow stronger.
For 55 years, its flourishing growth has thrived under the warm sunshine of mutual learning between the two civilizations. This year is designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. It also marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. In his congratulatory letter to the launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, President Xi Jinping expressed the hope that China and Africa will carry forward traditional friendship and strengthen mutual learning among civilizations. China and Sudan are both ancient civilizations, and they have come to know and befriend each other through the ancient Silk Road. Over the decades, the two sides have maintained close people-to-people exchanges, and our cooperation in cultural, educational and media fields has a solid foundation. The China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges will undoubtedly create broader prospects for our people-to-people exchanges. Since the beginning of this year, China and Sudan have worked actively to implement the Global Civilization Initiative through a wide variety of events, including the “Happy Chinese New Year” gathering and the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese language competition. We believe that only by continuously deepening exchanges and mutual learning can we make the garden of human civilization more colorful and more vibrant and help bring about peace, stability and development across the world at an early date.
Although the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe is now confronted with temporary difficulties as a result of the ongoing armed conflict, we are convinced that truly precious cultural treasures do not fade away in times of hardship; rather, they will surely be preserved and carried forward through generations. With firm support and thoughtful care of friends in various sectors of China and Sudan, the “flower of China-Sudan friendship” is bound to overcome the challenges and regain its brilliance. May the “flower of China-Sudan friendship” blossom forever. May China-Sudan friendship last forever.
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