Chinese Lunar New Year - Embassy & Consulate Generals of China in SA
Cape Town
"A friend is beyond price. The more friends you have, the happier your life will be. Making friends with our hearts, let us be friends forever." ~ Consul General Lin Jing
Thank you to Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Cape Town for hosting an early 'Reception in Celebration of Chinese New Year' at the Table Bay Hotel, V & A Waterfront on Thursday 16th January 2020. Read his full address here.
Also to Cape Town Hua Xing Arts Troupe for captivating attendees with their cultural performances. View more photos here.
Video credit: Courtesy of 'YouTube / Wesley Fester' (Thursday 16th January 2020)
Pretoria
Article credit: Courtesy of 'Pretoria East Rekord' (Friday 24th January 2020) newspaper p. 12/ 28
"... we would like to open the Embassy to all friends to share the harmonious, open, and inclusive Chinese cultural traditions and know the Chinese people face by face. Let us pray together for a more peaceful and prosperous world and a better life for all the people in the coming new year." ~ H.E. Ambassador Lin Songtian
Thank you to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa for proudly showcasing the richness of Chinese culture, tradition and cuisine with over 1,400 invited guests from the wider South African society during early New Year celebrations in Pretoria on Saturday 18th January 2020.
And for inviting artists from Sichuan Provincial Song and Dance Theatre to showcase their ethnic performances during the Spring Festival celebrations in South Africa.
Cabinet ministers, government officials, academics, activists, media and schoolchildren enjoyed cultural exhibitions (acrobatics, calligraphy, dancing, kung fu, music, puppetry, Sichuan opera, tea ceremony and more), cuisine, lucky draws and writing competition prize-giving.
"This shows unity as a family of humankind. The atmosphere is good with lots of energy and entertainment. It's great to see people of different cultures, colours, nationalities coming to celebrate with the Chinese. This would help people to understand and know the real China." ~ Erwin Pon, Chairperson of The Chinese Association, Gauteng (TCA)
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Facebook / China Plus News' (Sunday 19th January 2020)
"This gathering is good for people to people exchange. This is real what the Chinese always preach when they talk about cultural and people to people exchange. I enjoyed the entertainment, food and the environment was good." ~ Lindiwe Mthembu studied public diplomacy in China and invited guest
See photos and read further local coverage via IOL here and here. Watch CGTN's international news insert below:
Video credit: Courtesy of 'YouTube / CGTN Africa' (Tuesday 21st January 2020)
Newcastle (Taiwanese)
Video credit: Courtesy of 'YouTube / Pixelfish Marketing' (Sunday 19th January 2020)
Thank you to the Newcastle Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NTCC) for welcoming the Spring Festival, with a gala dinner at Blackrock Casino and Hotel, on Saturday 18th January 2020. Also for inviting performers from En Stage Dance Studio to share in the cultural exchange.
View photos and read more in the 'Newcastillian' (Monday 20th January 2020) magazine here and 'Newcastle Advertiser' (Thursday 23rd January 2020) newspaper here.
Chinese New Year Festival
Promotional material credit: Courtesy of ‘Embassy of the People’s Republic of China’
“We want to share with our South African friends the joy and happiness of the Chinese New Year and pray for world peace and a better life for all people around the world.” ~ H.E. Ambassador Lin Songtian
Thank you to the Chinese Embassy in South Africa for hosting an open ‘Happy Chinese New Year – Cultural Temple Fair’ and celebrating the Bank of China Johannesburg branch's 20th Anniversary at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton on Sunday 19th January 2020.
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Facebook / China Plus South Africa' (Monday 20th January 2020)
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'China Daily / Xinhua' (Thursday 30th January 2020)
Thank you also to Chan's Dragon and Lion Dance Team RSA and Sichuan Provincial Song and Dance Theatre for enthralling audiences with their traditional performances. The former also performed at Emperors Palace and FGS Nan Hua Temple's 'Chinese New Year Cultural Festival' on Sunday 26th January 2020.
Article credit: Courtesy of ‘Sandton Chronicle’ (Friday 29th January 2020) newspaper p.19/28
China Town Cape Town
Video credit: Courtesy of 'YouTube / Progressive Production Sound and Lighting' (Sunday 1st March 2020)
Thank you to China Town Cape Town for hosting early Chinese New Year celebrations and Cape Town Hua Xing Arts Troupe for providing the night's entertainment on Sunday 19th January 2020.
Newcastle (Chinese)
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Newcastle Advertiser' (Wednesday 22nd January 2020) newspaper
Thank you to the Newcastle Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCC) for hosting the ‘Sichuan More Than Pandas and 2020 Newcastle Chinese Spring Festival Gala’ with a fireworks display and gala dinner in the Industrial Area on Monday 20th January 2020.
Newcastle Sunshine Chinese School learners and Sichuan Provincial Song and Dance Theatre artists performed for attendees and invited guests, including both Newcastle District and City Mayors and Durban Consul-General Fei Mingxing.
Johannesburg
Article credit: Courtesy of ‘Sandton Chronicle’ (Friday 29th January 2020) newspaper p.19/28
"To a happy, healthy and prosperous new year." ~ Consul General Tang Zhongdong
Thank you to the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Johannesburg for welcoming an early start to the 'Year of the Rat' with a reception for 300 guests in Sandton on Tuesday 21st January 2020.
Dignitaries, diplomats, academics, media and leaders sang both national anthems, listened to speeches, tasted traditional cuisine and enjoyed cultural performances by the University of Johannesburg Confucius Institute and Johannesburg Hua Xing Art Group. Read the official press release here.
Durban
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology Confucius Institute' (Thursday 30th January 2020)
Thank you to Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Durban, Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Sichuan Provincial Department of Tourism and Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology Confucius Institute (CIDUT) for hosting ‘Sichuan More Than Pandas and 2020 KZN Chinese Spring Festival Gala’ at the Durban City Hall on Wednesday 22nd January 2020. Read Consul-General Fei Mingxing's address here.
Hundreds enjoyed traditional performances, including Sichuan Opera face, acrobatics, magic and tea ceremony, performed by Sichuan Provincial Song and Dance Theatre artists and CIDUT educators and learners. View more photos in this 'China Plus SA' feature here.
City of Cape Town
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'XinhuaNet / Linda Yee' (Sunday 26th January 2020)
“The Chinese community has much for the Capetonians to learn from, particularly in regards to their diligence and work ethics. Thank you for what you do and what you are going to do. We are grateful for an open and strong relationship. We hope Cape Town feels like home to you.” ~ Executive Mayor Dan Plato personally handed out red envelopes
Thank you to the City of Cape Town for hosting a high tea party at the Civic Centre on Friday 24th January 2020 in celebration of Lunar New Year. The event, held for the second consecutive year featured multi-cultural performances by African artists and Cape Town Hua Xing Arts Troupe. See more photos here and here.
“We are happy, excited to dance here with friends. I am glad I am here. I feel good and like to dance, it makes me happy.” ~ Shasha Mao, 5-year-old performer
View photos and read further local and international coverage in the 'Weekend Argus' newspaper here, 'China Plus News' here and 'XinhuaNet' here.
Chinese New Year Youth Symphony Concert
Video credit: Courtesy of 'YouTube / CGTN Africa' (Monday 27th January 2020)
Thank you to Consul General Lin Jing and Soong Ching Ling Foundation South Africa for inviting the public to a free Chinese New Year Youth Symphony Concert by 66 talented young musicians aged 9 to 11 from the Beijing Golden Sail Junior Orchestra at Cape Town City Hall on Saturday 25th January 2020.
Also for inviting 30 disadvantaged children from the Junior Rosa Choir Cape Cultural Collective and members of the Youth at Artscape and the Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD) to participate in the artistic cultural exchange.
CTCCF Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner
Promotional material credit: Courtesy of 'Cape Town Chinese Cultural Foundation (CTCCF)'
Thank you to Cape Town Chinese Cultural Foundation (CTCCF) for hosting their ‘Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner’ at Easy Joy Restaurant, China Town Sable Square in Milnerton on Monday 27th January 2020. See photos here and here.
Chinese New Year Gala and Lantern Festival
Promotional material: Courtesy of 'Wits Chinese Students and Scholars Society'
Thank you to the Wits Chinese Students and Scholars Society for hosting their ‘Chinese New Year Gala and Lantern Festival’ on East Campus Library Lawns on Friday 7th February 2020 afternoon. And for using the celebration to create awareness and garner support in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus outbreak in China.
