On January 22, 2025, H.E. Mme. Hou Yanqi, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, hosted a party to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Snake. H.E. Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, ASEAN SOM leader of Indonesia, H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat, Permanent Representatives of ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, ambassadors of ASEAN dialogue partners, representatives of relevant institutions and Jakarta-based media were present.

In her greeting remarks, Ambassador Hou briefed the traditional customs of Chinese Spring Festival and its cultural significance. She expressed that China's rapid development had greatly improved people's livelihood, and they enjoyed abundance and convenience at the Festival time. The Spring Festival has now been widely celebrated around the world, officially listed as a UN floating holiday and inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chinese culture has thus been highlighted for its contribution to the integration of different civilizations, and its reflection of the common values of peace, harmony, openness and inclusiveness pursued by all humankind. China and ASEAN enjoy proximity and affinity between their people and culture. The two sides will continue to work together to build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Surrounded by the lanterns and colorful decorations, the guests enjoyed traditional Chinese tea art and tasty Chinese cuisine, made paper cuttings themselves, and watched videos on Spring Festival together. They tossed Yusheng for good luck, said happy new year to each other, and brought home their sweet memories.