Editorial Note: This column is based on remarks made by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka during the Chinese Food Carnival held on 4 December 2024 at the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka.
Chinese food and cuisine culture, with its profound history and rich diversity, is an integral part of the Chinese civilization. Thanks to China’s vast territory and diverse climate, the Chinese people have, over millennia, developed a wide range of regional cuisines and culinary techniques that are as unique as the landscapes they come from. These culinary traditions have intertwined to create a magnificent tapestry of Chinese gastronomy.
Meanwhile, Chinese cuisine has absorbed the core values of Chinese culture through thousands of years of evolution, carrying the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese people. In addition to its attention placed on visual appeal, aroma, flavor and visual presentation, Chinese cuisine places great emphasis on the harmonious balance of ingredients of different nature and taste, and on the coordination of ingredients and human physiology, climatic and geographical environment, aligning with the principles of Chinese philosophy that advocate for harmony and balance.
Even the simplest dishes embody the laws of nature and reflect profound insights into human nature, interpersonal relationships, and governance. A perfect example of this harmonious approach is the beloved popular Lanzhou Beef Noodle. Its key ingredients – premium beef and wheat cultivated in the region’s unique geographical environment – are slow-cooked for hours to create a rich, soft and flavorful broth. With the chewy noodles, the perfect combination of various condiments embody the Chinese cultural philosophy of balance and harmony.
Tonight, we have prepared a wide array of delicious Chinese dishes, as well as captivating cultural performances and engaging interactive activities. I wish you all have a wonderful evening, savoring our cuisine while appreciating our culture.
Sri Lanka and China have been traditional and friendly neighbors, with a long history of people-to-people exchanges. Cultural exchange is a vital bridge for fostering mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. We will continue to promote such cultural exchange activities to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples and drive the continuous development of China-Sri Lanka relations.
