The Chinese government is expected to resume the cultural exchange programs in 2023 after it relaxed COVID-19 restrictions at home, Gwadar Pro reported it on Thursday.

This was stated by Xing Lijun, Second Secretary, Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan while briefing Pakistani media about the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year and upcoming events in connection with the celebrations of the Chinese Spring Festival.

On the occasion there was a live telecast of the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year Press Conference here at the Chinese Embassy. 

The Press Conference was held in Beijing. Gao Zheng, Director General of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Zhao Cong, head of China National Traditional Orchestra, and well-known pianist Lang Lang, the cultural ambassador of the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year, spoke at the press conference, introducing the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year activities.

Gao said the Happy Chinese New Year, an annual brand activity held to celebrate Spring Festival, has taken off in recent years and is increasingly becoming an important platform for China to share Chinese culture with people from all over the world. Various online and offline activities, including music concerts, temple fairs, and parades will cover the globe.

The press conference also released the mascot of 2023 Happy Chinese New Year. As the coming Chinese New Year is the Year of the Rabbit, the mascot, designed by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, is a cute rabbit with long ears based on the shape of a lucky bag.

China will be celebrating the 2023 traditional Chinese New Year from Sunday, January 22 until February 9, 2023. It is one of the most important and biggest festivals in traditional Chinese culture and one of the longest holidays, lasting up to 7 days.

After the telecast, Xing Lijun briefed the Pakistani media about the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year and upcoming events in connection with celebrations of the Chinese Spring Festival. 

He also highlighted the Pak-China cultural exchange programs. Xing said that the cultural bonds between the two nations were strong and this relationship will expand into all domains of Pakistani life and grow further with the passing of each day. He said that Pakistani journalists will also have a chance to visit China and witness the different aspects of the glorious Chinese culture.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP