Chinese and U.S. officials emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and community empowerment for Asian Americans.
NEW YORK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A parade was held in Manhattan of New York City (NYC) to celebrate the traditional culture of Asian Americans on Sunday, drawing thousands of participants and spectators.
The celebration was held by the Chinese-American organization Better Chinatown Society, as part of the national celebrations of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which is observed in May in the United States.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li, and representatives from the Better Chinatown Society addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and community empowerment for Asian Americans including the Chinese.
The celebration plays a positive role in uniting community members in the United States to defend their rights, spread culture and strengthen the friendship between the United States and China, and other global countries, according to Chen.
"We should uphold the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, respect different systems, develop international people exchanges and cooperation and work together to build a community with a shared future," Chen noted.
The national anthems of China and the United States were played during the event, stirring patriotic feelings among the audience from diverse backgrounds.
The performers showcased lion dances, Sichuan opera face-changing and Cantonese singing, drawing rounds of applause.
The event attracted thousands of citizens to line the streets and watch. Norma Anderson, a visitor from Sacramento, California, said she was particularly impressed by the lion dance and the variety of traditional Chinese costumes.
"Every era and region in China and Asia has different clothing, which is so beautiful and amazing," said Anderson.
Jimmy Li, a Chinese American who lives in Flushing, NYC, said the celebration reminded him of his hometown.
"I'm an immigrant from Guangdong, and hearing Cantonese songs in New York moved me to tears," Li said. "This is cultural transmission."
This was the fourth Asian Heritage parade held in New York. May was officially designated AAPI Heritage Month in 1992 in the United States.
The month-long observance provided an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the AAPI community's contributions to American culture, society and history over the centuries. ■
