The ceremony formally establishing the China-Nicaragua Friendship Girls Dream Choir was held in Rubén Darío National Theatre, in Managua, capital of Nicaragua, on May 7, 2025 (Beijing time). Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), Zheng Xuexuan, Chairman of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), Chen Xi, Chinese Ambassador to Nicaragua, and Laureano Ortega Murillo, presidential advisor of Nicaragua and coordinator for cooperation with China, attended, via video links or in person, and they delivered speeches.

Huang noted, under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, the countries' cooperation has expanded, and achieved fruitful results, in various fields since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in 2021.

Girls' and women's education is a major concern of the international community, and a major focus of China and Nicaragua's cooperation. China remains committed to making girls' and women's education a priority, Huang added. Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, also a Spring Bud Project (launched by the China Children and Teenagers' Fund) special envoy for the advancement of girls' education, has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of girls' and women's education, she continued.

Huang said she hoped China and Nicaragua will work together, with music as a bond and art as a bridge, to ensure the choir becomes a new envoy for China-Nicaragua friendship, and to write a new chapter in global cooperation in advancing women's and children's development.

Zheng noted CSCEC has responded positively to the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi, and has aligned with the development needs of countries along the routes. For example, the company participated in the Chinese Government's first aid project in Nicaragua, which helped the Nicaraguan Government improve housing conditions for low-income families, Zheng added. Moving forward, Zheng said CSCEC will contribute to bilateral relations, and will help strengthen China-Nicaragua friendship, by engaging in Nicaragua's infrastructure development and public welfare projects, such as the choir.

Chen said China-Nicaragua relations have leapt from a rapid reboot to comprehensive deepening since the countries established their strategic partnership in 2023. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the high-level political mutual trust between the countries has resulted in more tangible benefits for their people, Chen added. The choir, for example, embodies China's care and aspiration for the healthy growth of Nicaraguan children and youth, and it reflects the profound friendship between the peoples of the two countries, Chen continued.

Murillo conveyed Ortega's gratitude for both Xi and the Chinese people. He spoke highly of China's great care for women and children's development, and of China's valuable support for girls' education in Nicaragua. He said the countries have worked together for their people's development and for the wellbeing of people worldwide, with their fraternal bond growing ever stronger. Establishment of the choir is a precious gift to all mothers and girls, especially as Nicaragua's Mother's Month approaches, he said.

The choir performed Jasmine Flower, I Love You, China, and several Nicaraguan folk songs. More than 500 participants attended the event, including officials of the Nicaraguan Government, such as the Minister of Women, the director of Rubén Darío National Theatre, and the head of Sandinista Youth, as well as choir members and their teachers and parents, and the media.

(Source: Women Voice)

Editor: Cui Rui