With the warm wishes of Chinese Ambassador H.E. Chen Bo and Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić to strengthen the steely friendship and prosperity of the two peoples, and with fireworks on Kalemegdan, the celebration of the Chinese New Year in Serbia began.
On that occasion, Chen Bo said that the celebration of that traditional cultural manifestation is the embodiment of steel friendship between the two peoples.
“The two nations, although geographically far, are getting closer and closer, which is an invaluable asset,” said the Chinese ambassador.
Brnabić emphasized that China and the Chinese people always had respect for Serbia and thanked them for being with our country even in difficult times, for supporting its territorial integrity and sovereignty and for always having great respect for what is Serbian national interest.
“They always respected us as an equal partner, we will never forget that kind of support, help and respect,” said Brnabić.
The central celebration of the Chinese New Year was held in Belgrade, on the large promenade on Kalemegdan, in the presence of officials from Serbia, the Chinese Embassy and the City of Belgrade.
From the Belgrade Tower, the tallest building in this part of the Balkans, a message was broadcast – Happy Chinese New Year.
The Government of Serbia, the Embassy of China in Belgrade and the Belt and Road Institute, in cooperation with the cities of Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Bor and Smederevo, are organizing the Chinese New Year celebration in Serbia until January 26.
Ambassador Chen Bo also posted on Twitter part of the New Year’s program of Chinese television CCTV, called “New Year’s Gala”, in which the song “Far Away” was performed.
The track was sung by composer and singer Slobodan Trkulja, accompanied by Chinese musicians.
The New Year Gala is a show program produced by “China Media Group”, with which families in China and Chinese abroad welcome the Lunar New Year. It has officially the largest recorded audience of any entertainment show in the world and holds the Guinness World Record for the most watched international television program.
First Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic sent the warmest congratulations on the occasion of the Lunar New Year to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Qin Gang and the Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao.
“To the friendly people of China and to you personally, I send my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. I wish you that the Year of the Rabbit will bring peace, prosperity and further progress to the People’s Republic of China and its people, and especially that this year we will further deepen the great friendship and cooperation between our two countries. Serbia is ready to work hard with the People’s Republic of China in all fields this year and to confirm the strong and friendly ties we have achieved in previous years.
Let the Year of the Rabbit be also a year of joint successes of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia in expanding our strategic and friendly cooperation in the protection of international peace and cooperation, as well as our close economic, political and cultural relations.
I look forward with great pleasure to our meeting as soon as possible, as an opportunity to personally contribute to the further cooperation of our two friendly countries”, stated in Dačić’s congratulatory message.