Music is a universal language that knows no boundaries. Celebrating Chinese New Year 2025 in Prague

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Czech Republicthe Republic of the European Union has organisedtwo receptions at the pThe empireReapers Chineseof the newThe first one directly at its headquarters, the second one a day later at the CTU Congress Centre. The first directly elected President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, took part in the event alongside other guests. Both events included a concert by the chamber ensemble Harmony of East and West, featuring young musicians from the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and the Beijing Chinese Orchestra.

On Wednesday, February 12, the Embassy of the PRC in the Czech Republic hosted a Chinese New Year reception on the occasion of the Lantern Festival of the Year of the Snake, which was attended by H.E. Ambassador Feng Biao and Embassy staff with nearly 400 representatives of Chinese expatriates living in the Czech Republic, Chinese businesses, students and scholars studying in the Czech Republic to jointly welcome the Spring Festival 2025 and celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year.

The very next day, a similar festive meeting was held at the CTU Congress Centre. In addition to the aforementioned former President, the participants included former Senator Jaroslav Doubrava and former MEP Jan Zahradil. The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČM) was strongly represented, headed by Vice-Chairman Milan Krajča and former MP Leo Luzar.

Ambassador Feng Biao introduced the achievements of China's development in 2024, the progress of Sino-Czech relations and said that in 2025, the Embassy will continue to make efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and the Czech Republic in various fields and further promote the improvement and development of Sino-Czech relations.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our guests a Happy Chinese New Year and express my sincere thanks for your long-standing support in the development of Sino-Czech relations and wish you good health, best wishes and good luck in the Year of the Snake.

This past year, 2024, was the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic cooperation between China and the Czech Republic. The Chinese Embassy successfully organized a series of celebratory activities to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. China maintains its position as the Czech Republic's largest trading partner outside the European Union. The 12th meeting of the China-Czech Joint Economic Commission was successfully held in Beijing and direct air services between the two countries were restored. People-to-people exchanges between our countries continue to deepen, creating a solid foundation for promoting Sino-Czech friendship in the new era.

Looking forward to 2025, China is ready to work with the Czech Republic to expand exchanges and cooperation in all fields on the basis of mutual respect, decent treatment and mutual benefit, so as to promote the healthy and stable development of Sino-Czech relations and bring more prosperity to the two countries and peoples," Feng Biao said.

Musical harmony between East and West

Music is a universal language that knows no boundaries. Combining Eastern and Western styles, it offers the world a deeper insight into the heart of China. Harmony of East and West is a unique chamber ensemble featuring young musicians from the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and the Beijing Chinese Orchestra. This distinctive group combines live Western instruments with four traditional Chinese instruments, weaving together Chinese traditional compositions, Beijing-style compositions and Western classical pieces. Their performances not only celebrate the unique charm of Chinese culture, but also embody the harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western traditions.

The chamber orchestra, composed of Shen Runmo, Hung Xiaoqing, Liu Xiaowei, Liu Yanzuo, Wang Meidan, Wang Tong, Zhang Hongtao, Zhang Jiawei and Zheng Yang, played eleven chamber music mixtures under the titles New Year Celebration, Missing the Green, Colorful Clouds Chassing the Moon, Winter Solstice, A Toast Song, Nocturnal Peace, Front Gate Nostalgia, The Bright Journey, Voices of Spring, Distant Mouintains a Big Fish & Begonia.