With just about a week before Chinese people bid farewell to 2019 and enter 2020, the embassy of China in Rwanda hosted the Chinese community and other diplomats to a cocktail party on Thursday, January 16th, 2020.
The Chinese New Year celebrations officially begin on January 25th, 2020 and end on February 4th. 2020 has been dubbed Spring Festival or Lunar New Year on the Chinese traditional calendar.
Ushering into 2020 the Chinese community in Rwanda, Rao Hongwei, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Rwanda, underlined that the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people. “2020 bears our aspirations for a better life and pursuit for harmony, reunion, happiness, peace and prosperity.”
He commended the good diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China citing different bilateral exchanges between the two countries over the last year. The most remarkable exchanges include China’s contribution to the 25th anniversary of Rwanda Liberation Day and more than a hundred Chinese mining experts who will be assigned to Rwanda to implement the Rwandan Geological Survey and Mineral Resources Assessment Project. On Rwanda’s part, Rwandair launched its maiden flight between Kigali and Guangzhou and Rwanda attended the second China International Import Expo as well as the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition. All that contributed to the economic development of the two countries.
Rosemary Mbabazi, the Cabinet Minister for Youth in the Rwandan Cabinet wished a prosperous New Year to the Chinese Community in Rwanda and more partnerships in the future with the Government of Rwanda. “For so many years now, we have collaborated with the People’s Republic of China in various projects including construction, industries, schools and other exchanges and both our countries have benefited from it in many ways. For 2020, we can only expect to join efforts towards development in other sectors and deliver greater benefits to citizens in our countries.”
In the Chinese astrology, each year is represented by an animal. 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat, which is predicted to be a lucky year. The rat has also been celebrated in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008. The Rat is a representation of diligence, kindness, and generosity.
The Chinese New Year Holiday is celebrated in countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and Mauritius, but also Europe, Australia, New Zeeland, America, Canada, especially in the areas with a big Chinese community.
