Post date: Feb 02, 2011 8:16:15 PM
China's deputy consul-general in New York, Dong Xiaojun, lights up the Empire State Building in yellow and red in honor of the Lunar New Year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 2, 2011) REUTERS - As Chinese people around the world welcomed the lunar new year, China's Deputy Consul-General Dong Xiaojun lit the Empire State building red and yellow on on Wednesday (February 2).
According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, this year's Spring Festival marks the year of the Rabbit.
After lighting up the New York landmark, Dong told Reuters that the lighting symbolized the strengthening of ties between the U.S. and China."It is an event celebrated not only by Chinese in China but also by Chinese overseas. I noticed with great interest that it is also very well observed by Americans here. So I think today's event, the lighting ceremony is a very meaningful one and it carries the spirit of peace, prosperity and I hope that this event will increase the cultural understanding between Chinese and American people. Not long ago President Hu Jintao at the invitation of President Obama paid a very successful visit here and I think it's a further boost to relations," said Dong.
People born in the years 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011 are all rabbits. Those born in the year of the rabbit are believed to be moderate, kind, happy and have great taste, but are also cautious and somewhat mysterious with a propensity to cry.