Activities

On January 31, 2025, the “Happy Chinese New Year” temple fair was held on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Attendees at the opening ceremony included Li Xiaodong, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE; Ali, Senior Vice President of Mubadala Investment Company and Chairman of Al Maryah Retail Company; and Derek, Director of Real Estate at Mubadala Investment Company. In his speech, Counselor Li Xiaodong extended New Year greetings for the Year of the Snake to both Chinese and foreign guests. He noted that the Spring Festival, China’s most significant traditional holiday, is increasingly recognized and celebrated worldwide, including in the UAE, where the festive atmosphere is becoming more pronounced. Since its inaugural event in 2014, the Al Maryah Spring Festival Temple Fair has been a popular celebration in the UAE. China welcomes and supports UAE entities, represented by Mubadala Investment Company, in expanding cooperation with China, thereby contributing to the development of China-UAE relations. The annual Al Maryah Island New Year Temple Fair attracts a large number of both Chinese and international visitors, many attending with their families. Guests can savor traditional Chinese delicacies such as candied hawthorn skewers and soup dumplings, offering both warmth and nostalgia. The event also features vibrant cultural performances, including stilt walking, lion dances, face-changing acts, and kung fu demonstrations, creating a festive and lively atmosphere. Additionally, visitors can take part in a variety of interactive experiences, such as crafting Chinese knots, making bracelets and sachets, sugar painting, tea ceremonies, and painting, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the unique charm of Chinese New Year culture. / The Al Maryah Island Chinese New Year Temple Fair will be held from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at the AMI South Plaza. The event will take place daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

On January 25, 2025, the “Nihao!China” Chinese Ice & Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season was successfully launched at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the UAE China Cultural Center. For the first time, this campaign partnered with the renowned Sheikh Zayed Festival, showcasing the rich and diverse ice and snow-themed cultural attractions of China. The event featured: The event successfully enhanced awareness of China’s winter tourism resources and encouraged local residents to explore the country’s unique ice and snow culture. About the Sheikh Zayed Festival Held in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba region, the Sheikh Zayed Festival is named in honor of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is the UAE’s largest cultural heritage event, attracting over 1 million visitors annually from around the world. The festival offers a vibrant showcase of arts, traditions, and cultural heritage, providing a unique platform for visitors to learn about the UAE’s rich and colorful history. The partnership between “Nihao!China” and the Sheikh Zayed Festival highlights the deepening cultural exchange between China and the UAE, offering locals and international visitors an opportunity to discover and appreciate China’s enchanting ice and snow tourism.

On January 25, 2025, the “Warmly Welcoming Spring · Joyful Spring Festival” New Energy Vehicle Parade was held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE. The event brought together distinguished UAE royals, government officials, and Chinese diplomats, including Sheikh Zayed Festival Chairman Mohammed, Dubai’s Prince Maktoum, Emirates Airlines Vice President Prince Majid, UAE Minister of Economy’s Deputy Saleh, and Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Energy and Sustainability Department Karkash. Chinese representatives included Zhang Yiming, the Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Ou Boqian, Consul General in Dubai, and Tian Yanying, Deputy Inspector of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Together, they attended the launch and conclusion ceremonies and enjoyed the exclusive “Joyful Spring Festival” performances. Dubai Parade Highlights In the afternoon, over 60 Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) from 13 leading Chinese automakers were showcased at the Dubai Equestrian Club. Each car bore the vibrant “Warmly Welcoming Spring · Joyful Spring Festival” and “Lucky Snake” designs, marking the Year of the Snake. Attendees, both local and international, enthusiastically explored features like test drives, virtual reality demonstrations, and festive giveaways, sparking curiosity about Chinese NEVs’ availability in the UAE and purchasing options. After a grand launch ceremony, a convoy of 40 NEVs departed along scenic boulevards, heading toward the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Festivities In the evening, the NEV convoy arrived at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, where they formed an impressive display around the illuminated fountain square, featuring a central lighthouse adorned with the “Joyful Spring Festival” logo. Thousands of local residents eagerly participated in test drives and celebrated the event’s vibrant energy. The night culminated with a spectacular cultural performance, blending talents from the Shandong Art Troupe, UAE folk dance groups, and local kung fu teams. The celebration, attended by over 20,000 locals and international guests, concluded with dazzling fireworks that lit up Abu Dhabi’s night sky, sending heartfelt Year of the Snake Spring Festival wishes to the global Chinese community. This unique cultural and automotive collaboration not only showcased the technological excellence of Chinese NEVs but also highlighted the deepening cultural and economic ties between China and the UAE.

Beijing, China – December 2024 The highly anticipated mascot for the 2025 Chinese New Year, the “Lucky Snake,” has been revealed, showcasing a captivating blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern design. The unveiling comes as part of China’s global “Happy Chinese New Year” campaign, an initiative by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to promote Chinese heritage and strengthen cultural ties worldwide. A Symbol of Good Fortune and Health The Lucky Snake is steeped in symbolism, drawing inspiration from the iconic “snake holding a lingzhi,” a motif in traditional Chinese art representing health, longevity, and good fortune. Designed with innovation and modern aesthetics, the mascot combines these traditional elements with vibrant colors and intricate patterns that resonate with both young and old audiences. Key highlights of the design include: Traditional Colors with a Modern Twist The mascot’s color scheme balances festive red and gold, emblematic of good luck and joy, with modern touches of blue and green, reflecting vitality and the promise of new beginnings. This harmonious blend bridges China’s rich heritage with contemporary design sensibilities, ensuring broad appeal both domestically and internationally. A Global Cultural Campaign The “Happy Chinese New Year” initiative, under which the Lucky Snake will feature prominently, is a cornerstone of China’s cultural diplomacy. Launched annually, it brings festive celebrations, cultural showcases, and interactive activities to communities around the world. “This mascot embodies the essence of the Spring Festival — harmony, health, and joy,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. “The Lucky Snake will be a symbol of goodwill, fostering deeper cultural connections as we celebrate the Lunar New Year together.” Spreading Joy Across Borders As part of the campaign, the mascot will feature in various global events, from parades in major cities to interactive workshops showcasing Chinese heritage. Activities like traditional painting, lantern-making, and tea-tasting will provide hands-on experiences for attendees. The Lucky Snake represents not just the dawn of a new zodiac year, but a broader effort to share the vibrancy and warmth of Chinese culture with the world. As 2025 approaches, the Lucky Snake is set to slither into hearts worldwide, spreading wishes for a year filled with peace, health, and prosperity.