Canada: Prime Minister Harper Sends New Year Greetings to All Chinese (Photos)


On January 12-20, the Chinese New Year Spectacular will present a total of
eight more Canadian shows, in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. On January 10, Canadian
Prime Minister delivered a New Year Greeting to all Chinese Canadians through
NTDTV.



Chinese New Year Spectacular to be held at the National Arts
Center on January 12



Prime Minister Wishes Happy New Year to Entire Chinese Community



On January 10, Canadian Prime Minister Harper had a special greeting clip
delivered to the Ottawa organizing committee of Chinese New Year Spectacular two
days before the Show. He said, “Nihao [Chinese greetings], on behalf
Canada's new government, I would like to offer my warmest greetings to all
Chinese communities as you welcome the year of the pig. I have reason to
celebrate too because I was born in 1959, also the year of pig.”



Canadian Prime Minister Harper wishes all Chinese a happy New
Year


“The Chinese New Year has become an important part of the Canadian
culture landscape, which tells us just how big a role this community plays in
modern Canada. That role is rooted in a long history, from your ancestors'
involvement of the building of the national railway in the 19th century to full
participation in every aspect of the community like today, Chinese Canadians
have shaped this wonderful country we all call home…”


At the end of the clip, the prime minister said “I wish you a prosperous
year” in Cantonese.


Canadian Governor General Micha?lle Jean also sent her greetings. She wrote,
“I encourage you to share with your fellow citizens and take every
opportunity of enlivening our society with your unique contributions… Each
person-woman, man or child-can take away from this day a sense that we are
creating a better Canada, where people can rejoice in their distinctiveness,
while at the same time being a part of a larger community.”


In a congratulatory letter, Canadian Minister of Environment John Baird
wrote, “This unique world-renowned celebration is a brilliant example of
the beauty and elegance of the Chinese culture.”



World Class Theaters Stage Magnificent Chinese Culture



According to NTDTV president Zhong Lee, the Chinese New Year Spectacular will
visit near 30 major cities around the world and present more than 60 shows. Most
of the shows are to be held at world class theaters. From Vancouver's Queen
Elizabeth Theater, San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, to Hollywood's
Kodak Theater, seven shows have been performed. Almost every show had a full
house, and nearly 20,000 have enjoyed the performance. In the coming ten days or
so, the Spectacular will be performed at National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Theatre
Maisonneuve (Montreal) and Toronto Centre for the Arts.


Dr. Zhi Jing, one of the organizers of the Ottawa show, told reporters,
“This NTDTV show invites the Chinese and western audience to enjoy
authentic traditional Chinese culture and arts and emphasizes traditional
Chinese values such as paying homage to Buddhas and Gods, respecting heaven,
loyalty and filiation.”


“In the past several decades, traditional Chinese culture has been
largely replaced by communist culture which services politics. For most western
people, their understanding of Chinese culture often starts from several movies
such as “Mulan.” We have full confidence that this show will bring
them a rewarding experience of authentic Chinese culture.”

Posting date: 16/Jan/2007
Original article date: 16/Jan/2007
Category: World News

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