On January 24, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations hosted the Lunar New Year Celebration at the United Nations Headquarters. Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Ambassador Fu Cong, wife of Ambassador Fu Madam Huang Jun, and Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Geng Shuang, joined over 400 guests, including senior UN officials, representatives of more than 100 countries, and friends from all walks of life, to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Ambassador Fu expressed his festive greetings to the Chinese people, and shared his best wishes for peace, prosperity, and harmony for the new year. He noted that as we mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations this year and come to a crossroads for the future of global governance, China remains committed to working with the international community for a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious future for all. 

In his video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his festive greetings to the Chinese people, and thanked China and the Chinese people for the steadfast support of the United Nations, multilateralism, and global cooperation. The UN chief said that the snake symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and renewal. In the strained times, let us be guided by these qualities and renew our commitment to peace, equality, and justice.

High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that the Year of the Snake signifies transformation and growth, and offers us a beacon of hope and positivity. The Alliance will continue to deepen cooperation with China and jointly achieve the wishes for world peace, prosperity, and harmony.

The celebration featured exciting lion dance and drum and guqin performance. A team from the Prince Kung’s Palace Museum organized interactive exhibitions of Chinese folk art such as paper-cutting, knotting, lacquered fan, sachets, and rubbing, which were warmly received by the audience. The celebration culminated with the lion-awakening ceremony where Ambassador Fu and High Representative Moratinos together doted the lion’s eyes with paint.