On January 23rd, the Chinese Ambassador in Mauritius and the Chinese Cultural Center, in conjunction with the Ministry of Arts and Culture of Mauritius, Municipality of Port Louis, and the United Chinese Association of Mauritius, held a float parade and celebrations in Port Louis for the third consecutive year. A few hundred people from all walks of life participated in the parade, and the Chinese and local director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius led 25 teachers and students to participate actively in this Chinese New Year parade.
The opening ceremony of the parade was held at the Municipality of Port Louis. In his speech, Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Ivan Collendavelloo, thanked the Chinese community for their role in the societal development of Mauritius. For the Spring Festival, he greeted and wished all Sino-Mauritians a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year.
The Chinese Ambassador of Mauritius, His Excellency, Mr Sun Gongyi extended Chinese New Year greetings and best wishes to the people of Mauritius. He recalled the many collaborative projects China and Mauritius have undertaken in the past year and believes that the two countries are destined for more success in the coming year.
The speeches were followed by the sound of lion and dragon dance, and firecrackers! Soon after, the float parade started at the Municipality and headed towards China Town. The parade was grandiose and generated a festive atmosphere. Participants sang and danced all the way as pedestrians and tourists watched in amazement and contentment. Almost every participant held the Chinese and Mauritian flags as they arrived in Chinatown where a variety of Chinese food was on offer.
Mauritius is the only country in Africa with Chinese New Year designated as a public holiday. A series of celebrations is held each year, led by the local Chinese community and the government, for the Chinese New Year. The showcasing of the traditional Chinese festive culture is another way of promoting the established friendship between China and Mauritius.