BEIJING, May 5 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. branded cruise ship will soon sail on the maritime Silk Road route to share the beautiful Silk Road stories with the world and promote cultural exchanges between the people.
The Majestic Princess, one of the ships of Princess Cruises under Carnival Corporation & plc, will depart from Rome, Italy on May 21, passing through Greece, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and finish its journey in Xiamen of China on June 26.
Tailored with Chinese elements, the ship will carry 6,500 passengers from over 40 countries on board, said Anthony Kaufman, executive vice president of international operations for Princess Cruises, during a press conference at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) on Friday.
The CPAFFC has organized a series of cultural performances and programs to let the passengers enjoy colorful Chinese cultures during the journey.
“Since China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, it has received active responses and aroused historic memories in countries along the route,” said Li Xinyu, head of the CPAFFC’s Exchange Center for International Friendship Cities.
To show Chinese culture and tell Silk Road stories, CPAFFC has invited performers from juvenile waist drum team from China’s northwest city Yan’an, China National Traditional Orchestra, China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, etc., according to Li.
“In any business or enterprise, people are the most important thing. Without people, a ship is an object. But when you add people who care about other people, and are wiling to dedicate their lives to serving others, it becomes something greater than a ship,” said Kaufman.
Kaufman’s remarks echoes one of the five goals of the Belt and Road Initiative, which is bonding people with people.
Princess Cruises is a large international premium cruise brand that has 18 ships and takes approximately two million guests to over 110 countries and 360 ports of call. Its parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, is dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange respectively.
The CPAFFC is a government organization aiming at making friends and deepens friendship in the international community on behalf of Chinese people.
After completing the journey, the Majesty Princess will begin her first cruise from China on July 11, 2017. Enditem (By Yang Qi, kateqiyang@xinhua.org)
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