Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao urged Dabawenyos on Tuesday and the Filipino-Chinese community in Davao City to learn from the wisdom and flexibility of the snake in facing complex situations.
“In China, the snake symbolizes wisdom and flexibility. It emphasizes that we must stay calm and find the most appropriate solution when we are faced with challenges. Let us learn from the wisdom and the flexibility of the snake and welcome the new year with an open and inclusive mind,” Xiuzhen said in her message during the Chinese New Year 2025 celebration in welcoming the Year of the Wooden Snake held at Rizal Park.
Xiuzhen said the Chinese consulate was pleased to celebrate the Spring Festival with the Dabawenyos and the whole world.
She expressed appreciation that for a long time, the city government of Davao, the Davao Chinatown Development Council, and the Filipino-Chinese Community have held Spring Festival celebrations with related activities every year.
“All of you have contributed significantly to passing the Chinese culture to fostering mutual understanding between the civilizations and promoting cooperation between Davao and the various parts of China. Therefore, allow me to take this chance to express my appreciation for your efforts, thank you,” Xiuzhen said.
According to Xiuzhen, the Spring Festival is the oldest and the most solemn traditional festival in Chinese culture with a history of more than 4,000 years for Chinese to celebrate.
She said that about one-fifths of the world’s population celebrates the Chinese New Year in various forms with nearly 20 countries declaring its official holiday.
“This Spring Festival is also for the Chinese enjoyed worldwide. The United Nations has also made it a UN holiday,” she said.
Xiuzhen said that the Spring Festival carries on the concept of peace and harmony as well as common values of all mankind such as family, harmony, social inclusion, and the nature of co-existence.
“We hope that the different civilizations will harmoniously co-exist and achieve new true success that people from all countries will understand each other, work together, to jointly implement global civilization initiative and join hands in building a community with shared future for mankind,” she said.
The celebration, which was jointly hosted by the city government of Davao and the Chinatown Development Council, was highlighted with vibrant Chinese cultural performances.
“As we welcome the Chinese New Year, on behalf of the General Consulate of China in Davao, to extend my best wishes to the city government of Davao and the Dabawenyos as well as the Chinese communities and all the others whose life is here a Happy New Year. We are pleased to celebrate the Spring festival with the Dabawenyos and the whole world,” Xiuzhen said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Dutere also extended his greetings to the Chinese community and the Dabawenyos.
The mayor said, like the snake’s inherent nature of shedding, Dabawenyos too should embrace transformation, welcome new beginnings and resolutely pursue their goals and aspirations for the year.
“But even as we welcome the year of transformation let us remember to always continue embodying the values of gratitude, family connection, kindness, hard work, and resilience in our daily lives. May this new year fill us with hope and abundance as we continue to build stronger and safer communities for a more prosperous future ahead,” the mayor said.
