The Chinese New Year performance of the Year of the Dragon in London was watched by 700,000 people

2024-02-15 23:12

More than 700,000 people in London joined in a carnival on Sunday organized by the London Chinatown Chinese Association, or LCCA, to welcome the Year of the Dragon.

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The celebration, claimed by the organizers to be the largest Chinese New Year event outside Asia, commenced at 10 am with a diverse parade featuring handcrafted floats, dragon dance troupes, and displays of traditional Chinese costumes. The procession started from the east of Trafalgar Square and concluded on Shaftesbury Avenue in Chinatown.

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▲ A grand Chinese New Year celebration is held at London's Trafalgar Square on Feb 11. The flying lion dance, as one of the event highlights, draws cheers and applause from the crowds. [Zheng Wanyin/China Daily]

During the parade, significant attention was captured by the traditional Chinese Puning Yingge folk dance, a national intangible cultural heritage in China.

▲The Puning Yingge dance features not only electrifying performances but also colorful and exciting costumes. [Photo/ Chinese Embassy in the UK]

The group of 16 dancers, originating from the Chaoshan region in South China's Guangdong province, where the art form originated, offered a sensory cultural feast to the people of the United Kingdom.

At noon, the event reached its climax on the center stage in Trafalgar Square, with notable figures from the political and business sectors of China and Britain participating in the eye-dotting ceremony of two lions, symbolically awakening them.

Once awakened, the lions performed a lively flying dance, with acrobats hidden under the costumes jumping up and down on 3-meter-high poles, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowds.

▲Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, speaks at the Trafalgar Square Chinese New Year celebration event in London on Feb 11. [Photo/Chinese Embassy in the UK]

Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, addressed the attendees at Trafalgar Square, expressing gratitude to the organizers and artists for making the event possible, and extending warm wishes of good fortune and prosperity for the Year of the Dragon.

Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, hailed the contributions of Londoners of Chinese origin. "One of the reasons why London is the greatest city in the world is because of the contributions made by Londoners of Chinese origin," he said.

The mayor also warned against those who are trying to "discourage" friendships between China and the UK.

"There are some people who are trying to divide our communities. They are trying to divide China from the UK. They are trying to discourage our friendships. We can't let them succeed. We are going to show them that our diversity is a strength. We are stronger when we are together," he said.

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▲China’s Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang (center), his wife, Counsellor Hua Mei (second from right) and London Mayor Sadiq Khan (second from left) take a group photo with Deng Zhuting (first from left), president of London Chinatown Chinese Association, and Huang Ping, secretary-general of LCCA, in London on Feb 11. [Photo/Chinese Embassy in the UK]

A congratulatory letter from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was read out at the event. "I applaud the work the LCCA does to support the Chinese business community in London…I am grateful for the continued contributions of the British Chinese Community and their achievements across the country," Sunak wrote.

A message of congratulations from Britain's King Charles III was also sent to the celebration. The letter, in response to the LCCA's message, was sent by a loyal greetings officer at the British royal household and expressed warm regards. "The King sends his warmest good wishes to all those who will be present for a most successful and memorable event," it said.

In addition to the lively parade and stage performances, there were cultural workshops, interactive games, and food stalls set up around Trafalgar Square.

"The Year of the Dragon is considered one of the most powerful and auspicious years in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing strength, fortune and success. On this wonderful occasion, I hope that the UK-based Chinese communities can be united and continue to thrive, growing into a strong link for friendly cooperation between China and the UK," said Deng Zhuting, president of LCCA.

Reporter: Zheng Wanyin