Chinese New Year celebrations kicked off online in Dublin, Ireland on February 9, 2021. Mayor of Beijing Chen Jining and Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu delivered speeches by video link. On behalf of the municipal government and the people of Beijing, Chen Jining sent New Year greetings to the people of Dublin, the Chinese embassy in Ireland, and all the friends who have been caring for and supporting the relations between China and Ireland and between Beijing and Dublin. Chen said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the sister-city ties between Beijing and Dublin and that the practical cooperation between the two cities in many fields such as business and trade, education, culture, tourism and exchange of public servants have benefited the people of both cities and contributed to the sound development of China-Ireland relations. COVID-19 has blocked us from face-to-face meetings, but it can't prevent us from further communication and cooperation. We sincerely look forward to working together with Dublin to deepen our exchanges and cooperation in improving business environment, entrepreneurship and innovation, urban renewal and so on to jointly write a new chapter of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.
Chinese New Year opening gala: Martial arts performance
Hazel Chu said in her speech that the past year was very difficult for everyone and that we were unable to celebrate the Chinese New year as usual due to Covid-19. She thanked the Beijing municipal government for organizing the virtual celebration, and wished the people of Beijing and Dublin a better Year of the Ox with happiness and health.
Chinese New Year opening gala: Irish tap dance
The event was held online, featuring programs such as folk music, acrobatics and tap dance by artists from China and Ireland. The show also presented Beijing's intangible cultural heritage, cuisine, ice sculptures and so on to promote tourism in Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong delivered a speech by video.
Additional information
Dublin, capital of Ireland, is home to a host of high-tech firms and entrepreneurship and innovation resources. The city, known as the Silicon Valley of Europe, leads the world in the pursuit of better business environment and urban renewal.
Since Beijing and Dublin were officially paired as sister cities in June 2011, they have made significant achievements in close and practical cooperation in fields such as business and trade, education, culture, tourism, and exchange of public servants.
(Reporter: Fan Junsheng)
