The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York and the Empire State Building jointly held a lighting ceremony to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Mouse on Jan. 23, 2020. Ambassador Huang Ping, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, and Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory, attended the lighting ceremony. Vice Consul General Qian Jin and representatives of Chinese companies in the US participated in the ceremony.

Huang Ping delivered a warm speech. He said that the Chinese New Year, the most important festival in the traditional Chinese calendar, is coming. He would like to extend Chinese New Year greetings and best wishes to people all over the 10 states within the Consular district. He expressed the sincere gratitude to Empire State Building for thoughtfully organizing this ceremony.

Huang Ping said that in 2019, China's development has made great progress. The people's living standards continue to improve, the number of middle class members is increasing, and more and more people choose to travel abroad. 2019 is also the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. For 40 years, friendly people-to-people exchanges have always been the most reliable source of strength for the bilateral relations. As a landmark in New York, the Empire State Building attracts a large number of tourists from various countries every year, effectively enhancing the mutual understanding of peoples around the world. In 2019, more than 1.1 million Chinese tourists visited New York. The Empire State Building is an icon of New York, and one of the must-see destinations for Chinese tourists. When the Chinese tourists visit the Empire State Building, they not only enjoy the views of New York, but also experience American history and culture here. It will help to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of China and the United States and lay a solid foundation of public opinion for the healthy and stable development of the Sino-US relations.

Huang Ping said that in 2020, China will complete building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve its first centenary goal.In the new year, let's work together to enhance the understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and jointly advance the China-US relations based on coordination, cooperation, and stability. As the Lunar Year of the Mouse is approaching, he wishes everyone a happy Chinese New Year, good health and good luck!

Ghazi said 2020 marks the Chinese Lunar Year of the Mouse, and a beginning of the new zodiac cycle. Seen as a sign of welfare and surplus, the traditional Chinese folk stories say that the Mouse open up the sky. On the special occasion, this year's zodiac window display incorporates elements of the Chinese New Year fireworks. The Empire State Building wishes to send sincere Chinese New Year greetings to everyone.

After the speeches, Huang Ping and Ghazi visited the "Chinese New Year Zodiac Window Display" on the first floor of the Empire State Building.

Before the speech, the Chinese folk music and dance were performed by the Ba Ban Chinese Music Society of New York.

The top of the landmark Empire State Building in Manhattan shined in red in honor of the Chinese New Year of the Mouse.