Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Shen Bo at the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” Celebrations Events Across the Netherlands

Dear Mr. Zhou Weizong, Chairman of the Chinese New Year Celebration Organizing Committee,
Dear Mr. Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague,
Dear Ms. Dominique Kuhling, Director of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,
Dear Mr. Marc Moquette, Special Envoy for Knowledge on China of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,
Dear Mr. Huang Qilin, Chairman of the Federation of Chinese Associations in the Netherlands,
Dear Ms. Monique Knapen, Chair of the Netherlands-China Friendship Association,
Distinguished guests, dear friends,

Good afternoon!

In just two days we will celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Horse. I am delighted to gather here with you to celebrate this joyous occasion. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to the Chinese community in the Netherlands and to friends from all sectors of Dutch society. My heartfelt thanks go to all those who have worked hard to prepare for this celebration, and a warm welcome to the "Happy Chinese New Year" Art Troupe who have traveled a long way from China to join us.

New Year ushers in all festivals, just as spring ushers in the four seasons. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday of the Chinese nation. It embodies the values of family reunion, harmony, shared well-being, and peaceful coexistence. These sentiments are deeply rooted in the hearts of Chinese people at home and abroad. They also transcend cultures and borders, resonating as shared aspirations of humanity. In 2023, the United Nations adopted a resolution designating the Chinese New Year as a UN holiday. In 2024, it was officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, about one-fifth of the world's population celebrates the Chinese New Year in various ways, and themed cultural events have reached nearly 200 countries and regions. In many Dutch cities such as The Hague, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, we can also see the festive "Spring Festival red." The Chinese New Year is crossing mountains and seas, reaching the world, and becoming a cultural symbol appreciated and embraced by people everywhere.

The Chinese New Year carries the people's aspirations for a better life. This is also the unwavering goal of the Communist Party of China and the starting point and ultimate aim of Chinese modernization. Over the past year, China's economic and social development has made steady progress. Its GDP exceeded 140 trillion RMB for the first time, growing by 5% year on year. The 14th Five-Year Plan has been successfully concluded, and the Chinese people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security has continued to grow. This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will chart a grand blueprint for China's development over the next five years. China will continue to expand high-level opening-up, create new opportunities for win-win cooperation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, bringing broader opportunities for common development to countries including the Netherlands.

Dear friends,

China attaches great importance to the Netherlands' strategic position as a "gateway to Europe" and remains committed to developing the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation with the Netherlands. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Dutch leaders, China-Netherlands relations have achieved rapid and steady progress in recent years, with deepening exchanges and cooperation across various fields. China decided to continue implementing unilateral visa-free and other facilitation policies for the Netherlands, providing tangible convenience for Dutch citizens traveling to China for business, tourism, or family visits. On this occasion, I sincerely welcome more Dutch friends to visit China, to see for themselves its vitality and achievements, and to experience a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China - one that is credible, lovable and admirable.

The sustained and stable development of China-Netherlands relations would not be possible without the hard work of the local Chinese community. Over the years, you have rooted yourselves here, actively contributed to local economic and social development, and carried forward the outstanding traditions of Chinese culture, serving as a bridge between the peoples of our two countries. I hope you will continue to leverage your strengths, integrate actively into local society, fulfill your social responsibilities, abide by the law, and present a positive image of the Chinese community, making new contributions to people-to-people exchanges between China and the Netherlands.

Dear friends，

Today's celebration also features a special performance by the "Happy Chinese New Year" Art Troupe of Zhejiang Wu Opera, who have traveled all the way from China. Wu Opera, known as a "living fossil" of Chinese opera, is a national intangible cultural heritage of China. It conveys meaning through expressive movements that transcend language barriers. Even if you do not understand Chinese, I believe you will be able to follow the story, appreciate its artistic charm, and experience the unique beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

May China and the Netherlands enjoy prosperity and strength, and may our peoples live in happiness and well-being, with friendship enduring forever!

May all our distinguished guests and fellow Chinese forge ahead with vigor, achieve great success, and enjoy all the best in the Year of the Horse!

Thank you all!