Recently, a series of colorful activities were launched by some Chinese overseas embassies, Confucius institutes and organizations of overseas Chinese to celebrate the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival. These activities were warmly welcomed by overseas Chinese and local residents.
On February 18th, more than 300 representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises and overseas students in Belgium gathered in well-decorated Chinese embassy in Belgium to celebrate the Spring Festival. Cao Zhongming, Chinese ambassador to Belgium, said that the past year witnessed a prudent development of China-Belgium and China-Europe relations. With the in-depth cooperation of the Belt and Road between two sides, Belgium has become one of top ten emerging tourism destinations characterized by a rapid growth rate of Chinese tourists. Two peoples are closely connected through the colorful activities, such as China-Europe Tourism Year and China-Europe Arts Festival.
On February 17th, held by China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Norway, the gathering to celebrate the Lantern Festival-“One Family, One Chinese Dream” took place in Oslo. “The patriotic spirit has been seen as Chinese people residing in Norway work jointly with people in mainland and Taiwan to care about and support the great course of Chinese reunification through various means.” said Chinese Ambassador to Norway Wang Min. More than 60 representatives including the diplomats from Chinese embassy in Norway, overseas Chinese organizations, businessmen and overseas Chinese were present.
On February 15th, the Spring Festival Reception for French Graduates in China was held in Chinese embassy to France with more than one hundred French graduates invited. “The year of 2019 marks the 55 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and a new boom in China-France relation is expected to be witnessed,” said Zhai Jun, Chinese ambassador to France, adding that the French graduates who know China and take it as their friend have all long been supporting and engaging in the development of China-France relation, thus becoming friendly envoys connecting two peoples. They are expected to tell Chinese stories well in France and enable more Chinese people to know more about French.
On February 15th, the 2019 Spring Festival Reception for Chinese People in Israel was held in Susan Dalla Theater in Tel Aviv. “As the mutual political trust of two sides is increasingly enhanced and bilateral trade and people’s visits are to grow, the exchanges and cooperation in culture and education have been deepened. Attendees include more than 400 representatives of overseas Chinese, employees in Chinese enterprises and overseas students. Moreover, the Gansu Performing Arts Group performed songs and dances for audience.
The activities of Chinese Cultural Demo Day were held by the Confucius Institute of Kabul University in Afghanistan recently. The teachers from both sides, Afghan students, as well as representatives from Chinese enterprises gathered to celebrate the lunar Chinese New Year. Afghan students were taught to make dumplings and they also brought their traditional food-boodle fight. Besides, A festive atmosphere was seen as they participated in fun games including riddle-solving and musical chairs.
On February 17th, the third gala for a festive Lantern Festival, held by UK-Shandong Association, took place in London. It conveyed deep affection of Shandong people for Chinese people residing in Britain, and provided them with an unique audio-visual feast featuring Shangdong style.