Chinese New Year lights up Champs Elysees

cctv.com 01-25-2004 09:32

On the third day of the Chinese Spring Festival, there has been a grand parade of Chinese culture to celebrate Chinese New Year in Paris.

It wove its way along the Champs Elysees, the most beautiful avenue of Paris.

Lined with red lantern, the Avenue du Champs Elysees has a new look for festival celebration. The mayors of the city of Paris and Beijing joined the ceremony for the parade, which started from the arc de triomphe and covered the most animated part of the avenue Champs Elysees. Among the program you can find the traditional Peking Opera, the dancing of dragon and lion and the martial arts as well. Tens of thousands of people gathered around to share the happiness of the traditional Chinese Spring Festival.

Wang Qishan,Acting Mayor of Beijing, said, "We are very proud to be able to showcase China's culture along the avenue Champs Elysees. It shows how much China is becoming recognized and known around the world since it carried out the reform and opening-up policies. I am very excited about this moment."

Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the region of Ile de France,said, "Wonderful! The preparation of this parade has taken months and the parade adds much excitement to the city of Paris."

It's the first time that a parade of such kind is allowed to take place at Champs Elysees, which is only reserved for the celebration of France's National day during the past years. The Chinese community in Paris makes the backbone of the parade, with around 6,000 participants. The city of Beijing also sent a delegation of more than 700 people for the celebration.

The parade of the new year of 2004 coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China. More events of celebrations are expected as the year of China in France continues until the autumn of this year.

Editor:Zhang  Source:CCTV.com