ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations agency in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Tuesday celebrated the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Horse, which falls on Feb. 17, with distinctive Chinese and African cultural activities.
Held at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters, and jointly hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU) and the UNECA, the event brought together officials from the UNECA and the AU, members of the diplomatic community from China and other African countries, business leaders, academia, media, non-governmental organizations, as well as members of the Chinese community in Ethiopia.
Wishing a happy Chinese New Year and fruitful China-Africa cooperation, Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU and representative of China to the UNECA, said the Spring Festival serves as an important tradition for Chinese and African friends to come together, renew friendships, exchange cultures, and discuss future cooperation.
"The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival of the Chinese nation. It embodies the spiritual pursuit of reunion, harmony, hope, and progress. Chinese people use this moment to reflect on the past, look forward to the future, and wish for national prosperity and peace, and for a peaceful world," he said.
Jiang said in Chinese culture, horses have traditionally symbolized progress, vigor, and auspiciousness. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges to further enhance mutual understanding between China and Africa, which is also reflected by this year's designation of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The event, among other things, featured various Chinese and African cultural activities, including Chinese Wu Opera, a cappella songs, and other cultural shows.
Aboubakri Diaw, Chief of Staff at the Office of the UNECA Executive Secretary, said the celebration embodies the spirit of South-South cooperation and the China-Africa partnership, in which the exchange of cultural heritages serves as a connecting bridge.
"The Chinese New Year is a celebration of renewal, continuity, and hope. These values resonate deeply with the principle of multilateralism that guides the United Nations, the African Union, as well as relations between different countries, echoing mutual respect and shared responsibility for the future," said Diaw. ■