The 2023 China Rose Products Expo and the 2023 Pingyin Rose Culture Festival will kick off on May 6, officials     1    (announce) at a news conference on April 21 held in Pingyin, which is known     2     China’s “capital of roses”.

This year’s expo includes three major     3    (event), an opening ceremony, forums, and an exhibition, during     4     rose industry experts, scholars, as well as company representatives from both home and abroad will carry out exchanges and explore cooperation opportunities     5    (boost) the development of the rose industry.

As the rose     6    (elect) as the other city flower of Jinan on April 20, 2021, it has helped both Jinan and Pingyin county better carry out international cooperation     7    (global). For example, this year’s expo and culture festival have invited ambassadors to China, as well as commercial representatives from countries     8    (involve) in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran, to promote cooperation in the rose industry.

Pingyin rose enjoys     9     planting history of more than 1,300 years, and Pingyin county is one of the earliest places in China to plant roses. Pingyin rose has been selected as one of the three most renowned flowers in Shandong province, a dominant agricultural characteristic industry in the province,     10     the first of the 10 characteristic industries in Jinan.

7 . Auckland, New Zealand, Jan 29

A Chinese New Year gala, co-organized by the China Cultural Centre and the Huaxing Arts Troupe, was unveiled by Maori Haka. Contemporary dances, cross-talk, Peking opera, Qipao display and violin solo have featured the event, which won thundering applause from local audiences. “Tonight brings back familiar memories from my hometown,” said Sun, a Chinese born in Hubei.

Jersey, Britain, Jan 22

A traditional Chinese dragon dance was performed through St Helier street, which announced the start of Chinese New Year celebration. The event will last from Jan 22 to Feb 5, including tai chi performances, Chinese cuisine stalls and a photo exhibition. The local post office also issued a special stamp, featuring a rabbit holding a cabbage, illustrated by Chinese artist Wang Huming.

Paris, France, Jan 16

After a three-year interval due to the COVID-19, people gathered again to celebrate Chinese New Year. The French capital’s Chinatown has organized a series of celebrations that last from Jan 16 through Saturday including exhibitions of hanfu, music concerts and shows with Franco-Chinese comedians. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, was present for a parade which attracted over 20, 000 people.

Suva, Republic of Fiji, Feb 5

A Lantern Festival gala was hosted in the Republic of Fiji on Feb 5, joined by about 300 government officials and representatives from Fiji’s Chinese communities. President Maivalili Katonivere, along with first lady, attended the event and gave a speech, in which he said the Lantern Festival is important as the lanterns play a vital role in lighting the path ahead, signifying hope and good fortune.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation (法规) that makes Chinese Lunar New Year a state holiday. The move recognizes the diversity of cultures that Asian Americans have brought to California, the third     1     (large) state in the US.

The legislation lets any state employee take eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensatory leave (补休)     2     (celebrate) Chinese New Year.

In a     3     (sign)letter, Newsom emphasized the diversity and cultural significance that Asian Americans represented in California and     4     (encourage)all Californians to participate in the festival.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by thousands of Asian and Pacific Islander Californians at community events that illustrate     5     state’s rich cultural history and commitment to racial, religious, and cultural diversity. Many jurisdictions (管辖区) in California have already made Lunar New Year an     6     (office) school holiday.

Also on Friday, a ceremony     7     (hold)in San Francisco’s city hall to raise China’s national flag in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the     8     (people)Republic of China.

Zhang Jianmin, China’s consul general (总领事) in San Francisco, raised the flag with Meron Foster, a senior officer at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Protocol. Zhang expressed his gratitude     9     San Francisco’s very genuine gesture of friendship” toward China,     10     he spoke to an audience of us elected representatives, business figures and community members.