Chinese New Year celebrations launched in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 19 (Xinhua) -- Artists from China and Nepal on Saturday performed traditional lion and dragon dances in the Kathmandu Valley to kick off a series of celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival.

A lion dance on tables and high poles performed by Chinese artists drew applause and cheers in particular, as lovely gestures and moves by the two "lions" resonated with the audience.

A flower drum dance by Chinese artists and a monkey-step dance and dragon dance conducted by Nepali artists turned out popular as well at the launch ceremony held at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nepal Visit Year in China was also formally launched on the occasion, as 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song voiced hope that both sides can seize the opportunity to tap the potential for cooperation in tourism and other fields, use the rapid development of tourism to drive exchanges and cooperation between China and Nepal in economy and trade, connectivity, infrastructure, culture and education, and help Nepal realize the upgrading of tourism software and hardware.

Chen expected the two countries to implement the Global Civilization Initiative so as to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative proposed by China, thus accelerating the realization of the development vision of "Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali."