Food festival to mark Chinese president’s visit to Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: A host of delectable Chinese and Gujarati dishes awaits the Chinese delegation that will accompany President Xi Jinping to Ahmedabad on September 17.

From Ming's Jade Soup and water chestnut salad to Asian garden noodles, Yang Tse rice and Chinese sticky cake called Nian Gao — a variety of Oriental dishes will share space with dhokla, handvo and patra at a food festival being organized by China-India Trade and Investment Centre (CITIC) in Ahmedabad during Xi's visit.

CITIC expects about 500 people to attend the food festival and cultural programmes which will be hosted at a leading club in the city.

According to CITIC, among the cultural programmes is a play by award-winning cross-gender performer Jiajia; a magic show; an acrobatic performance; diabolo flip by four players; contortionist art by Zhang Xiaotong and group; rolling lamp performance and a jar balancing act.

"Culture is the bridge to business and this has been proven by the silk route centuries ago. Its relevance has gone up in today's times. Also food binds people. So we are trying to establish a bond through the cultural programmes and food," said Jagat Shah, secretary general, CITIC.

The Chinese got a taste of Gujarati food a couple of years ago when dhokla was served alongside several other Indian dishes at a food festival organized by the Indian association in Shanghai. Gujarat has been aggressively trying to forge business ties with China since November 2011 visit by Narendra Modi.