{"id":33366,"date":"2023-01-13T14:48:15","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T14:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/photos-chinese-community-in-rwanda-celebrate-year-of-rabbit"},"modified":"2023-01-13T16:19:42","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T16:19:42","slug":"photos-chinese-community-in-rwanda-celebrate-year-of-rabbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/photos-chinese-community-in-rwanda-celebrate-year-of-rabbit","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS: Chinese community in Rwanda celebrate ‘Year of Rabbit’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The Chinese community in Rwanda gathered on Thursday, January 12, to celebrate the Chinese New Year.<\/p>\n

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the new year 2023 will begin on January 22, but the Chinese community decided to hold early celebrations.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ: Chinese medics treat over 12,000 Rwandan patients<\/p>\n

In Chinese tradition, each year is named after one of 12 animals, which feature in the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.<\/p>\n

So the animals will have a year dedicated to them once every 12 years, in a cycle.<\/p>\n

This year is the year of the rabbit.<\/p>\n

The celebrations for ushering in the new year were held at the Chinese embassy, attended by Chinese nationals living in Rwanda, diplomats, as well as Rwandans including government officials.<\/p>\n

Ambassador of China to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun addresses delegates during the ceremony. Photo by Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of China to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, said the celebration dates back to more than 3000 ago, bearing Chinese people\u2019s aspirations for a better life and pursuit for harmony, happiness, peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to extend sincere new year greetings and best wishes to all our guests and, through you, to all friends in Rwanda, to fellow Chinese community, wishing everyone happiness and success in the coming year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on last year, Wang said it was a significant one for his country as the Communist Party of China (CPC) successfully convened its 20th National Congress and elected a new Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core, and drew an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects through a Chinese path to modernization.<\/p>\n

The Chinese community in Rwanda and some members of the diplomatic Corps follow Ambassador’s remarks during the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 12. Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a clear call for all Chinese people to forge ahead on a new journey. During the year, the Chinese economy has remained the second largest in the world, with GDP expected to exceed 17.4 trillion US dollars,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cChina successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. China’s 3 space station was fully completed. China’s first large passenger aircraft, C919, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station, the second largest in the world, went into full operation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Talking about China-Africa relations, Wang noted that during the last year, cooperation has been elevated across the board with the implementation of \u201cthe nine programs\u201d of China-Africa cooperation, and 4 supported Africa\u2019s self-sustained development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have taken the lead in publicly supporting the inclusion of the African Union in G20 and have continued to encourage Africa to play a bigger global role. The past year also witnessed fruitful cooperation between China and Rwanda in various sectors, including trade, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, health, education, and culture. China cancelled a debt of 7.1 million US dollars to support Rwanda\u2019s growth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the same year, China partnered with Rwanda to start construction works to expand Masaka Hospital, which will become one of the biggest hospitals in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vincent Biruta delivers remarks as the Chinese community in Rwanda celebrate the Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 12. Photos by Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, who was the guest of honour at the event told the attendees praised the relationship between Rwanda and China, saying it has advanced into a great friendship that has brought about countless initiatives between the two countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cRwanda considers China as a strong partner that has contributed to the social economic development of the country in various sectors that are of key priority including infrastructure, health, energy, education, to mention a few,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of trade and investment, China is one of the top partners of Rwanda with imports and exports equivalent to close to one billion US dollars in 2022,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the new year 2023 will begin on January 22, but the Chinese community decided to hold early celebrations.<\/p>\n

The celebrations took place in Kigali on Tuesday, January 12. Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

The Chinese community in Rwanda during the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 12. Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

The celebration dates back to more than 3000 ago, bearing Chinese people\u2019s aspirations for a better life and pursuit for harmony, happiness, peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n

The Chinese community in Rwanda during the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 12. All photos Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

The Chinese community in Rwanda during the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Thursday, January 12. Photo by Craish Bahizi.<\/p>\n

Ambassador of China to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun greets one of the delegates during the ceremony. Photo by Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

The event was attended by diplomats and friends of the Chinese community in Rwanda<\/p>\n

The ceremony to mark the year of the rabbit was attended by the Chinese Community in Rwanda and members of diplomatic corps.<\/p>\n

A group photo of members of diplomatic corps who attended the ceremony, captured here with Minister Vincent Biruta and Ambassador of China to Rwanda.<\/p>\n

In Chinese tradition, each year is named after one of 12 animals, which feature in the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.<\/p>\n

The celebrations for ushering in the new year were held at the Chinese embassy,<\/p>\n

The Chinese community in Rwanda gathered on Thursday, January 12, to celebrate the Chinese New Year. All photos by Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n\r\n