China Day celebrates Gambia-China ties with food and culture
The West Africa Food Festival featured a 'China Day' event to strengthen relations through culinary exchange and cultural performances.
Gambia's Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe described food as a bridge for strengthening relations between The Gambia and China during China Day at the 2026 West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST). The event, held from October 15 to 21, gathered members of the Chinese community, the Chinese medical team, and chefs to celebrate Chinese cuisine and heritage. Jobe stated that culinary exchange serves as a tool for tourism, cultural understanding, and international cooperation, reinforcing longstanding ties and extending friendship to other participating nations.
China's Deputy Ambassador to The Gambia, Zhao Shangsen, praised the Chinese community for integrating with local communities and highlighted China Day as an opportunity for cultural exchange, including providing a meal for guests. The Chinese medical team also showcased traditional Chinese medicine and offered medicinal soup at a festival booth. Zhao thanked the organizers and the Tourism Ministry for their support, noting the community's contribution to strengthening cultural ties.
The celebration included cultural performances by Chinese community associations and showcased the skills of Chinese culinary professionals. China Day was part of WAFFEST 2026, which brought together participants from over 30 countries under the theme “Developing Skills, Changing Lives.” The festival aimed to celebrate culinary heritage, promote professional exchange, and explore tourism development and regional cooperation, adding an international dimension to the event.
Why it mattersThe event is for Gambians and visitors to experience Chinese culture and cuisine, fostering international understanding.