London (People's Daily) - The Spring Festival Celebration - Bringing Spring to the World event was held at landmark locations across London including Trafalgar Square and Chinatown on Sunday, the fifth day of the first lunar month on the traditional Chinese calendar.
The celebration included dragon and lion dance float parades, outdoor variety shows, food stalls, New Year goods stalls and parent-child games.
The event in London was hosted by the London Chinatown Chinese Association and supported by the Mayor of London's Office, the Greater London Authority and the City of Westminster.
Since the first in 2002, the celebration has been successfully held for 23 consecutive years, becoming one of the featured events on the official calendars of London and even the UK government. It is also the largest Spring Festival celebration outside Asia, drawing about 700,000 attendees this year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent a congratulatory letter.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chinese community in the UK for their valuable contributions to this country,” he wrote. “I look forward to us all moving forward hand in hand, embodying the wisdom and resilience symbolized by the Year of the Snake!"
At the celebration in Trafalgar Square, Zheng Zeguang, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, delivered a speech.
"The Spring Festival, the social practices of the Chinese people celebrating the traditional new year, has now been officially designated as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," Zheng said. "This huge turnout today is a testament to your support for China-UK cooperation, to your aspiration for working together among all countries."
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, commended the London Chinatown Chinese Association for once again hosting the Spring Festival celebration, saying, "The arrival of the Year of the Snake reminds us to see ourselves and the world from a new perspective.
"As the mayor, I will, as always, fully support the citizens from East and Southeast Asia, ensuring that every citizen feels respected, valued, and safe, and maintaining London's open, inclusive and hospitable city image."
Chu Ting Tang, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association, said that the snake was deeply loved for its unique image of wisdom and agility, symbolizing personal growth and social progress.
"As we step into the Year of the Snake, may we all achieve transformation in the new year, make continuous progress and jointly create a beautiful future in the big family of the Chinese and British communities!" Chu was quoted as saying.