On February 6th, Camelback Mountain in Pennsylvania was blanketed in pristine snow, exuding a strong festive atmosphere. A giant dragon lantern illuminated this renowned ski resort, as the auspicious dragon of the "Happy Chinese New Year" welcomed guests from all directions. The young ambassadors of the 2024 "Happy Chinese New Year" Ice and Snow Carnival were also invited to attend the official celebration of the "Happy Chinese New Year."
Consul General Huang Ping of the Chinese Consulate in New York and his wife attended the "Ice and Snow Carnival" New Year celebration event co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office in New York and the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, where he delivered a speech. Deputy Consul General Li Shipeng and Counselor Shang Jiyuan, in charge of cultural affairs, were also present.
Huang Ping stated that as the Year of the Dragon approaches, the dragon, embodying many auspicious wishes, is the totem of the Chinese nation. The dragon lanterns that have traveled from China convey the best wishes of the Chinese people to the American people. The skiers from Pennsylvania, winding down from the mountain top, formed a vivid flying dragon, which is the best gift from the local people to the Chinese New Year of the Dragon.
Huang Ping pointed out that in the new year, we need to inject new momentum into the development of Sino-American relations and the cooperation between the peoples. We should carry forward the old tradition of friendly people-to-people exchanges, take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the 15th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Fujian and Pennsylvania, and the 45th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Tianjin and Philadelphia as opportunities to continue writing wonderful stories of friendly exchanges and explore the right way for China and the United States to get along. We should open up new areas of practical cooperation, expand cooperation in winter sports, tourism, and other fields, and gallop freely on the "blank canvas" of ice and snow; leverage the brand effect of the Philadelphia Flower Show to encourage Chinese cities to actively participate and present a visual feast of Chinese gardens to the local people. We should cultivate young ambassadors for cultural exchanges, inherit the half-century-long musical friendship between the Philadelphia Orchestra and China, and under the inspiration of the "50,000 in 5 Years" initiative, promote more American youth to visit and understand China, making the youth of both countries friends and partners, and laying a solid foundation for the future of Sino-American relations.
The young ambassadors listened attentively to Consul General Huang Ping's speech, deeply felt the significance of diplomacy, clearly saw the mission they carry to promote international exchanges at this moment, and understood the impact of stepping out of their home country and into the world on the youth at a deeper level!
Huang Ping also presented a congratulatory letter to the event organizer, the US-China Business and Tourism Association (Philadelphia Window US Headquarters), congratulating them on their 10th anniversary and encouraging them to continue playing a role in advancing Sino-American cultural exchanges. Carol, Director of the Pennsylvania Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, presented a congratulatory certificate on behalf of Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro. Ma Yunfei, Director of the China National Tourist Office in New York, Breer, Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Renoir, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation, Owens, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Chen Guoquan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian Province, and Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Executive Vice President Posoit delivered speeches.
At the event, the young ambassadors got along very well with the local American youth. The language barriers and cultural differences were melted away in the heat of the activities. They were like old classmates who had known each other for a long time, singing and laughing together in harmony. The young ambassadors also took this opportunity to showcase their best talents, using traditional Chinese ethnic dances and Peking Opera performances to convey the charm of Chinese traditional culture to the guests present. The local American students, in turn, used modern dances reflecting American campus life to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
As night fell, an Olympic medal-winning American athlete led more than fifty enthusiasts holding colorful lights, galloping and winding down the ski slope, stretching for hundreds of meters, lighting up the giant dragon lantern. Accompanied by the "Spring Festival Overture" and other music, a more than ten-minute-long fireworks display brilliantly lit up the sky over Camelback Mountain. The audience cheered and leaped for joy, welcoming the New Year and wishing each other good fortune in the Year of the Dragon.
The young ambassadors of the 2024 "Happy Chinese New Year" Ice and Snow Carnival, even in a foreign land, received extraordinary New Year blessings amidst this ultimate joy. This unique experience will add a rich and colorful stroke to their path of growth!
