On 5th September 2026, Consul General Xu Wei attended the inauguration of the Kolkata Cheenapara Heritage Gallery in the city’s Old Chinatown. Shri  Barun Kumar Ray, Additional Chief Secretary of the West Bengal Department of Tourism, Tan Yew Huat, President of the All-India Overseas Chinese Federation, and renowned Indian scholar Professor Tansen Sen were among the distinguished guests.

In his address, Consul General Xu highlighted the long history of China-India friendly exchanges, noting that Kolkata, as a historic cultural city, has played an irreplaceable role in fostering people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries. He pointed out that Kolkata is home to India’s largest overseas Chinese community, with the Old Chinatown and Tangra Chinatown boasting a history of over 200 years. Generations of Chinese immigrants have persevered through hard work and self-reliance, making significant contributions to the local economy and society. Their remarkable journey stands as a precious cultural legacy that deserves to be showcased and carried forward. The newly inaugurated Heritage Gallery offers a vivid window into two and a half centuries of the community’s endeavors and forms an integral part of Kolkata’s diverse cultural landscape. Xu expressed the hope that more local residents and visitors would explore the gallery to learn about Chinatown’s history and experience the unique charm of Chinese culture. The Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata will continue to support the local Chinese community in promoting fine traditional Chinese culture, building bridges for China-India people-to-people exchanges, and further deepening bilateral cultural and people-to-people ties.

Speaking at the event, Barun Ray underscored the importance of preserving the history and culture of the Chinese community and pledged to actively promote the revitalization of Kolkata’s Chinatown. Professor Tansen Sen and President Tan Yew Huat shared the story behind the gallery’s creation and guided guests through the exhibits.