The Consul General of China in Kolkata, Mao Siwei, delivered a speech on Chinese history and culture to around 200 high school students and teachers at St. Xavier’s Institution on December 13.

Mao outlined Chinese history in ancient, modern and contemporary times by introducing the historical role played by three important figures, Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of China in 3rd century B.C., Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China and Deng Xiaoping, the general designer of China’s economic reform and opening-up.

Mao also talked about the Great Wall and the unique writing system of the Chinese language. Praising the great contribution by Xuanzang, a Chinese Buddhist monk in 7th Century A.D., to the religious and cultural exchanges between China and India, Mao encouraged the students to know China now and to promote understanding and cooperation between the two countries in the future.

St. Xavier’s Institution is a famous private school in Kolkata with as many as 4,500 students.