'2016 Happy Chinese New Year' kicks off in Beijing

Ding Wei, vice-minister of the Ministry of Culture, addresses the gathering at the press briefing for "2016 Happy Chinese New Year" in Beijing on Jan 15, 2016. [Photo/Culturalink.gov.cn]

A press briefing for "2016 Happy Chinese New Year" was held in Beijing on Jan 15. The briefing was organized by the Ministry of Culture and representatives from the Office of the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local and transnational enterprises in China were invited.

"2016 Happy Chinese New Year" arrangements were introduced; these which include 2,100 activities in 400 cities in 140 countries around the world. The activities feature traditional events such as temple fairs, China lantern festivals, parades, exhibitions, special performances and intangible cultural heritage displays.

Ding Wei, the vice-minister of the Ministry of Culture, noted that "2016 Happy Chinese New Year" will hold the spirit of China's 13th Five Year Plan and actively promote Chinese culture in the world. Plus it will seek a new way to engage China's large enterprises in the promotion. Happy Chinese New Year activities will give a boost to the development of the enterprises.

Business representatives at the briefing included those from the Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Jingdong, Legend Holdings, Baidu and Pepsico.

Since 2009, "Happy Chinese New Year", a worldwide celebration hosted by the Ministry of Culture and other Chinese authorities, has engaged both overseas Chinese and citizens all over the world. "Happy Chinese New Year" in 2015 held over 800 programs in more than 320 cities in 118 countries and regions.