PRETORIA, Jan.18 (Xinhua) -- People from all walks of life and nationalities thronged the Chinese embassy in Pretoria to celebrate the Spring Festival on Saturday.
The event was hosted by the Chinese embassy who invited people from different countries to welcome the year of the rat. People were entertained by acrobatics, puppet show, traditional dancing, kungfu, sichuan opera face changing and different Chinese cultural dances.
The Chinese ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian welcomed people from different countries and embassies for the family day to celebrate one of the important days in the Chinese lunar calendar.
"This day gives us an opportunity to express our appreciation for the hospitality of South Africa. We have opened the embassy to all today. We are happy to receive over 1,000 people from all colors, countries, governments politicians and think tanks. This is the year of the rat, the year of good luck and prosperity," said Lin.
He stated that China is ready to work with other countries to create a peaceful and prosperous world.
Research coordinator from South Africa's University of Witwatersrand William Mpofu said it was great to be exposed to the Chinese culture. He pointed out that China's existence creates a multi-polar world since a unipolar world is dangerous to the world.
"Today China showcased the economic, political and cultural glory. They showed good will and diversity. It was a good gesture by the Chinese embassy to welcome us in our diversity. I commend the embassy for their willingness to listen, accept people of different cultures in their place, " he said.
Another South African Lindiwe Mthembu who did public diplomacy in China said she was glad to spend the day with the Chinese family. She said she was missing the Chinese food which she ate at the embassy. Mthembu said she enjoyed Chinese dumpling and anything with Sichuan pepper.
" This gathering is good for people to people exchange. This is real what the Chinese always preach when they talk about cultural and people to people exchange. I enjoyed the entertainment, food and the environment was good," said Mthembu.
The Chinese Association chairperson Erwin Pon told Xinhua that he is glad to see the "rainbow nation" with people from different parts of African countries, Europe and Asia celebrating with the Chinese people.
"This shows unity as a family of humankind. The atmosphere is good with lots of energy and entertainment. It's great to see people of different cultures, colors, nationalities coming to celebrate with the Chinese. This would help people to understand and know the real China, " said Pon.
