On January 14, 2023 “Happy Spring Festival” parade was held in Expo City Dubai to welcome the arrival of the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. The event was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, the Consulate-General in Dubai and the Board of Directors of Hala China, under the guidance and support of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The event was attended by: Ambassador Zhang Yiming; Gao Zheng, Director General of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Li Xuhang, Consul-General in Dubai; Reem  Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mohammed Saeed Al Marzouki, CEO of  Hala China; Manal AIBayat, Chief Engagement Officer at Expo City Dubai; key royal members of the Emirates of Dubai and Sharjah in the consular district; Director General of Dubai Culture Authority; Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism; Maryam Othman Almheiri, Executive Manager of Dubai Customs; Eesa Bastaki, Chancellor of the University of Dubai; Director of Dubai Observatory, as well as representatives of Chinese institutions in Dubai, overseas Chinese and local people from all walks of life. Tens of thousands of local people and tourists from all over the world enjoyed the parade.

Expo City Dubai was decorated in the traditional style of Chinese New Year, with lanterns, Chinese knots, ornamental firecrackers and other ornaments in red hues decorating the parade route and the Spring Festival market, signifying an auspicious and prosperous new year in the Chinese culture.

The launching ceremony of the parade was held at the Chinese Pavilion in the shape of a giant red lantern.   

Ambassador Zhang Yiming pointed out in his speech that through the grand parade, we not only show the image of the Chinese people characterized by hard work, courage, solidarity and self-improvement but also vividly convey the confidence and determination of the Chinese and UAE peoples to create a better life. He spoke highly of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE and the fruitful contribution made by more than 300,000 overseas compatriots. He praised that we are fully committed to presenting this splendid “Happy Spring Festival” parade, making it the largest overseas Spring Festival celebration and creating the most influential overseas “Happy Spring Festival” brand. This year’s parade will once again create a wave of mass fervor in understanding China and learning Chinese locally, attracting more Chinese tourists to come to Dubai and the UAE for sightseeing.

Director General Gao Zheng said in his video message that the “Happy Spring Festival” parade in Dubai has become one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside China. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism is willing to continue to work closely with the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate-General in Dubai and welcomes support from the government and private organizations in the UAE, including Hala China. The ministry is dedicated to continuing to share Chinese cultural symbols and manifestations, including Spring Festival, with the people of the UAE, providing more excellent public cultural products to the world and promoting exchange and mutual appreciation of civilizations between China and the UAE, injecting lasting impetus to promote the building of a human community with a shared future.

Consul-General Li Xuhang said that the grand return of the “Happy Spring Festival” parade received active responses and strong support from overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and other parties. The event represents a new start and creates momentum for implementing the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-GCC Summit, highlighting the new-year image of Chinese enterprises and expatriates in the consular district, demonstrating the firm confidence and common aspiration of the Chinese and UAE people to work together towards the future, promoting the work of the enterprises and expatriate groups in the consular district in the new year and advancing the China-UAE friendship. This event also helps to encourage China and the UAE to seek joint growth, seize the post-pandemic opportunities and welcome the new year.

Mohammed Saeed Al Marzouki, CEO of  Hala China, and Manal AIBayat, Chief Engagement Officer at Expo City Dubai, also delivered speeches to congratulate the Spring Festival and praise China-UAE friendship.

The Dubai side cleared the way for the parade with the highest courtesy of mounted police and police bands, leading Chinese and foreign guests, as well as more than 60 processions and more than 20 floats.

The parade consisted of processions and floats of famous enterprises, overseas Chinese groups, Chinese and foreign students, and Chinese enterprises in Dubai, with more than 5,000 people participating and presenting characteristic performances. A variety of colorful floats decorated the parage. Tens of thousands of tourists cheered lively along the way.

The Spring Festival market set up along the parade showcased special Chinese food and various Chinese products. The intangible cultural heritage display zone and game zone attracted many Chinese and foreign visitors, turning the Expo City Dubai into a carnival of Spring Festival.

In the evening, a dedicated cultural performance was staged at the Al Wasl Plaza, where the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo was held. The gala presented a dreamlike experience, with traditional Chinese and modern performances against the brilliant lights of the dome specially designed to welcome the Spring Festival. The performance of the first-tier band from China, Mabang, selected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, brought the atmosphere to a climax.

Overseas Chinese and tourists from different countries praised the parade and posted their pictures on various social media platforms. Chinese media stationed in the UAE and more than 20 local mainstream media covered the event on-site, and the “Happy Spring Festival” Parade to Embrace Spring became the focus of local news and received wide attention.

After the parade, Ambassador Zhang Yiming and Consul-General Li Xuhang were interviewed by Chinese and foreign media.