Feature: Grand reception held in Istanbul to celebrate Spring Festival
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E-mail Xinhua, January 19, 2023
ISTANBUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- At the entrance of one of the most famous hotels in Istanbul, a giant rabbit statue welcomes visitors amid a sea of red lanterns. The temporary lobby decor was a nod to the upcoming Spring Festival or Chinese Lunar New Year.
As hundreds of millions across China prepare to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit on Jan. 22, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul held a grand reception attended by overseas Chinese and Turkish guests earlier this week at the Shangri-La Hotel, located along the European shores of the Bosphorus Strait.
The event was a visual feast for visitors. Chinese dishes were served while Chinese dancers and singers took to the stage.
Among the guests was Chinese female footballer Li Jiayue, who has recently joined Türkiye's Istanbul-based soccer club, Galatasaray SK.
"I'm very happy," Li told Xinhua, noting that she was amazed by the festive atmosphere in the reception. "I'm so happy to see so many Chinese people. We can talk in Chinese." She sent her best wishes to her family in China, saying she missed them very much.
Sukru Senturk, a China Young Entrepreneurs Association member, enjoyed the cheerful ambiance of the reception.
"The atmosphere is very nice. Everyone is amiable," Senturk said, delivering his congratulatory messages to his Chinese friends.
"I hope the relations between Türkiye and China will be closer this year. I am in favor of constantly renewing activities and keeping relations warm among people of the two countries," he said.
Hopeful for the new year, the businessman said from now on, Chinese people can comfortably come to Türkiye for travel and commercial purposes. He believes that collaboration and partnerships are set for a boost this year.
Huseyin Uzumcu, a Turkish entrepreneur doing business with China, said: "We have Chinese friends and are constantly in touch with them. We have friends here too. We also have commercial relations with them."
"Happy new year to all," Uzumcu said, adding that he hopes both countries would reinforce their already good relations in the new year. Enditem
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