Consul General of the People’s Reoublic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing has said the Spring festival, a social practice of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year was added to the UNESCO representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

She said the Spring Festival, from being listed as a United Nations floating holiday to being inscribed on the UNESCO representative list, shows the growing influence of Chinese new year culture around the world.

Yuqing stated that nearly 20 countries and regions have designated the Spring Festival as a legal holiday, and folk customs and activities associated with the Spring Festival have spread to nearly 200 countries and regions, becoming a global cultural event.

According to her, January 29, 2025 is the Spring Festival of this year, which is the grandest and most vibrant celebration for the Chinese people and symbolises reunion and hope.

She welcomed the arrival of the Chinese Year of Dragon to enjoy the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival as well as celebrate the National Independence Day of the two countries.

“Various cultural exchanges have deepened the exchanges and mutual understanding and interaction between the civilisations of China and Nigeria, strengthening the humanistic foundation for building a community with a shared future between China and Nigeria, as well as China and Africa.

She therefore said they are willing to share the culture of the Spring Festival with the Nigerian people, celebrate the festival together, and foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the people of China and Nigeria, as they together march forward a shared future.

According to her, this New Year is the Year of the Snake. In Chinese traditional culture, snake is a symbol of longevity, good fortune, wisdom and wealth. China and Nigeria will in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, comprehensively deepen the cooperation of Belt and Road initiative. The two countries would also partner in various fields such as politics, economy and trade, science and technology, education and culture, for mutual benefits and write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation in the year 2025.

“On the occasion of the Spring Festival, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos, I would like to extend sincere greetings and best wishes for the new year to friends from all walks of life in China and Nigeria.

“May you all enjoy a joyful new year with good health, success and prosperity, and family happiness,” she said.
She addd that in collaboration with the local Chinese community, enterprises and academics, they carried out the

“Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the Light” charity project to finance cataract sufferers in Nigeria, which helped over 300 cataract patients in Nigeria to regain their eyesight.