On December 31st, 2016, the New Year's Eve celebration was held in Times Square in New York, where more than one million people from around the world gathered and welcomed the coming of 2017. The Time Square Alliance has worked with the SAFA (Sino-American Friendship Association) for six consecutive years to promote tourism and culture in China. The theme of this year was "Explore the beautiful China along the Silk Road." Consul General Zhang Qiyue; Director of China National Tourist Office in New York Wang Yanjie; Executive Director of the Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management Michael Carey; President of the Times Square Alliance Tim Tompkins, and President of the SAFA Peter Zhang attended the celebration.
"China is rich in tourism resources and cultural landscapes," said Consul General Zhang Qiyue during her speech on the Countdown Stage. "I hope you can visit China in 2017 and tour the Silk Road to feel the beauty and charm of China." She also wished everyone a happy new year in both English and Mandarin.
During the Chinese culture showcase before the Countdown, the theme "Explore the beautiful China along the Silk Road " was the spotlight. Chinese artists from New York area performed dances that truly expressed the unique characteristic of the Silk Road, along with Yi ethnic group folk song "Please Stay" and northwest China folk song "Lift Your Veil".
A film on the Belt and Road initiative was broadcast on multiple digital screens and billboards, together with Chinese greetings of "Happy New Year". Thousands of red scarfs with words such as "China Welcomes You" and "Happy New Year" printed were distributed to the crowds. These very gifts have made the ambience of the event even warmer and happier. The celebration was decorated with rich and brilliant Chinese elements that not only highlighted the theme of "the Belt and Road", but also conveyed new year wishes from Chinese people and sent out a sincere invitation to the world to come visit China.
During the event, Consul General Zhang Qiyue was interviewed by several media. She said that China has proposed the Belt and Road initiative in a new era of the global economy and defined a new pattern of comprehensive opening-up. The Belt and Road initiative will involve more than 4.4 billion population in over 60 countries globally, which takes up around 60 percent of the global population, and will become the longest economic corridor and the largest commercial network in history. The Silk Road economic cooperation will bring various forms, while culture and tourism are the two people-to-people aspects. "We sincerely invite everyone to join us, to enjoy the historical and cultural heritage, the modern openness of China and to seek potential cooperation opportunities while sharing the mutual benefits."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the honorable guest of the evening. Together with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, they pushed the Waterford crystal button that starts the Times Square New Year's Eve countdown clock. Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote in his greeting letter to SAFA: "Much like that ancient commerce network, the Association has also fostered international exchange and I am grateful for its efforts to enhance the cultural landscape of our global city and unite and entertain Chinese Americans and New Yorkers of all backgrounds."
