Toronto warmly welcomes Lunar New Year

Xue Bing, Chinese consul general in Toronto, delivers a welcoming speech at the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the consulate general before Lunar New Year's Eve on Jan 26 in Richmond Hill. [Photo by NA LI / CHINA DAILY]

The past year has been a productive one for China-Canada relations, according to the consul general in Toronto, and that was cause for celebration as the Lunar New Year approached.

As the air was filled with Chinese music and cheerful chatting and greetings, hundreds of guests gathered at the Premier Banquet & Convention Centre in Richmond Hill to celebrate before Lunar New Year's Eve.

"At this festive moment, I would like to extend my warmest welcome and sincere greetings to all of our friends in Canada," said Xue Bing, Chinese consul general in Toronto, who delivered a keynote speech at the reception hosted by the consulate.

Xue said both nations have announced the goal of doubling trade and two-way visits by 2025. Exploratory discussions for a Canada-China Free Trade Agreement are expected to kick off soon, and 2018 has been declared the Year of Canada-China Tourism.

As the most observed festival for Chinese worldwide, the Lunar Chinese New Year-Spring Festival this year was acknowledged by Parliament.

Xue proposed a toast to a long-lasting friendship, with shouts of joy from the crowd.