|| Khulna Bureau: Traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances performed by a group of students from China added a cultural touch to the opening ceremony of Notun Kuri Sports (Season 2) in Khulna on Thursday.The students from Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, performed the dances in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Khulna District Stadium.The performance was part of sports and cultural diplomacy between Bangladesh and China.Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and Yunnan Minzu University have an ongoing sports training exchange programme.Under the programme, BKSP coaches provide cricket training to students of the Chinese university, while its coaches train BKSP students in wushu, a traditional Chinese martial art.BKSP athletes also receive training from Chinese coaches in table tennis, athletics, badminton, swimming and diving.The training exchange and cultural performances reflect the growing sports and cultural cooperation between the two countries.Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the “Notun Kuri Sports” (Season-2) at Khulna District Stadium by releasing balloons and pigeons.State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque and Whip and Khulna-3 MP Rakibul Islam were present.A group of Chinese students enthralled the audience by performing traditional Chinese dragon dance and lion dance at the inaugural ceremony of Notun Kuri Sports (Season-2) in Khulna.Students from Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming city, Yunnan province, China, performed this delightful cultural performance at a function organized in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Khulna District Stadium on Thursday.This was announced by the Prime Minister's Assistant Press Secretary Shahriar Pamir.He said that the students performed this traditional dance of their country as part of strengthening sports and cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and China.Sports training exchange programs have been ongoing between Bangladesh Sports Education Center (BKSP) and Yunnan Minzu University for a long time.Under this program, BKSP coaches provide cricket training to students at the Chinese university.On the other hand, instructors from Yunnan Minzu University trained BKSP students in the traditional Chinese martial art of Wushu.Apart from this, BKSP athletes are also receiving training in table tennis, athletics, badminton, swimming and diving from Chinese coaches.Those concerned believe that, in addition to sports training exchanges between the two countries, such cultural performances will further strengthen the friendly relations and cultural exchanges between the people of Bangladesh and China.Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the new bud sports (season-2) by releasing balloons and pigeons at the Khulna District Stadium. The Prime Minister was accompanied by State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque and National Assembly Whip and Khulna-3 MP Rakibul Islam Bakul.