Distinguished guests,
Friends,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

Good evening!

It is my pleasure to meet and celebrate the Chinese New Year with new and old friends tonight. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, I would like to extend festive greetings and best wishes to all overseas Chinese, employees of Chinese enterprises and Chinese students, and to all our distinguished guests and friends from all walks of life in the consular district.

Today is the 23rd day of the 12th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, marking     the traditional "Minor New Year" ( Xiao Nian) in northern China. It signifies the unfolding of the Spring Festival. In six days, we will embrace the Year of the Snake full of hope and vitality.

It is joyful for us to gather here for the Spring Festival. However, I am saddened by the destruction and tremendous losses caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Our hearts are with Angelenos affected by the wildfires. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the individuals and families who have lost their loved ones or suffered from the disaster. We are confident that Los Angeles will regain its vitality and strength soon, paving way for the upcoming LA28.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

The Chinese New Year, namely the Spring Festival, is the oldest, grandest, and the most joyous festival for the Chinese people. It carries the Chinese people’s aspiration for family reunion, harmony, prosperity and a deep sense of patriotism. It also embodies mankind’s common values inter alia, harmonious coexistence of man and nature. The Spring Festival is not only a Chinese tradition but has won recognition across the globe. In December 2024, the Spring Festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It provides an important window for the world to better understand China, and a bridge fostering exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The Year 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We have made new and significant strides in the advancement of Chinese-style modernization. According to the latest data, China’s GDP grew 5% in 2024. This is a hard-won achievement. What it tells is the momentum of social and economic development through innovation, and the high spirit of the Chinese people striving for a better future. We will continue to undertake comprehensive reform and further opening up, offering more opportunities of cooperation for our two countries and the world. 

2024 also marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and the US. Despite the ups and downs, the bilateral relationship has on the whole moved forward. Last Friday, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with President Trump stressing that the two great nations of China and the United States are pursuing their respective dreams, and are both committed to delivering a better life to their people. Given the extensive common interests and broad space of cooperation between the two countries, China and the United States can become partners and friends, contribute to each other’ s success, and advance shared prosperity for the good of the two countries and the whole world. President Trump stated that as the most important countries in the world, the United States and China should get along well for years and beyond and work together for world peace.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit a number of states, counties, and cities within the consular district, engaging in extensive and meaningful exchanges with friends from all walks of life. It is noteworthy the return of the two iconic giant pandas "Yunchuan" and "Xinbao" to San Diego in June and the opening ceremony of the Panda ridge on August 8. I was deeply impressed by Governor Newsom’s proclamation of "California Panda Day" and the enthusiasm of thousands of visitors to the Panda ridge.

Last year, we embarked on the implementation of the initiative of “inviting 50,000 American youth in 5 Years” with encouraging results. More than 1,900 students from our consular district traveled to China for exchange and study, fostering mutual understanding between the youth of both countries. The China-California Economic and Trade Forum held in May was very successful, paving way for mutually beneficial cooperation. The sister-city and sister-port relationships between Los Angeles and Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Long Beach and Qingdao have continued to deepen. There are still potentials for the development of sub-national exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States..

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Chinese community in Los Angeles and other places in the consular district have made valuable contribution to the development of local economy and mutual beneficial cooperation between China and the US.  Inheriting and carrying forward the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, the Chinese enterprises and students have also joined the efforts fostering friendship and exchanges between our two peoples. To name a few examples. Last month, the Chinese community in Los Angeles have held friendship ping-pong tournament and a forum commemorating the 53rd anniversary of "ping pong diplomacy". In 2024, a special forum for Asian American Heritage Month and a seminar on traditional Chinese medicine,as well as the 20th China-U.S. Film Festival were successfully held. They also actively participated the 92nd Hollywood Christmas Parade with a view to promoting the Chinese culture and fostering exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. In addition, they are always ready to give a hand and have provided assistance to the vulnerable groups, such as the homeless and children with autism. I am moved by the many Chinese national who are among the proactive donors to support the firefighting and those affected, demonstrating the compassion and responsibility of the overseas Chinese community.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China's diplomacy has always been people-centered and people-oriented. Over the past year, the Consulate General has firmly adhered to this principle, continuously improving the efficiency of consular services. We have provided face-to-face consular services in various states within the consular district,including by accepting visa and passport applications in Arizona, Hawaii and Utah. The onsite service has been widely praised by our compatriots and local citizens. We have been consistent in making every effort to assist compatriots in need, ensuring the safety and well-being of overseas Chinese and students.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Looking ahead, the Year 2025 ( or the Year of the Snake) is a significant year for China as it continues to deepen reforms and advance Chinese modernization. It marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world’s anti-fascist war. The Chinese Consulate General will remain committed to the concept of "diplomacy for the people," further enhance the efficiency and quality of consular services, safeguard the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and institutions in the consular district. We will consistently improve our service for overseas Chinese, and exert utmost efforts to provide better consular services, visit more places and meet more people to address their concerns and deliver results for their well-being. We will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation across all fields within the consular district, consistently strengthening foundation of friendship between China and the United States.

In the Chinese culture, snakes symbolize wisdom and creativity, abundance and prosperity. As we will usher in the Year of the Snake in six days, we wish our motherland peace and prosperity and the Chinese people happiness. 

I also wish for steady and long-term development in China-U.S. relations, for accelerated development of sub-national exchanges and cooperation, and for the longlasting friendship between our two peoples. Last but not the least, I wish you all heath, happiness and great success in the Year of the Snake.

Thank you.