Spring Festival celebrations in Cuba celebrates Cuban Chinese heritage

The Chinese community in Cuba and the Chinese embassy in the Cuban capital Havana have been celebrating the Spring Festival with traditional arts, performances, and cuisines to celebrate the history and culture of the Chinese community in the country.

Centered around Havana's Chinatown, a colorful show of Chinese art and different traditional festive activities have been staged to celebrate the Spring Festival and the coming of the Year of the Snake.

The Spring Festival celebration, featuring both Chinese traditional culture and characteristics of local Cuban life, is a symbol and a monument to the history and tradition of the Chinese community on the island, according to Marcos Antonio Tamames, an expert in patrimony studies and cultural preservation.

"There was a historical process of Chinese settlement in Havana. Since Chinese coolies gained freedom, to anticipate the approaching Chinese New Year is an activity for them to preserve their traditions," said Tamames.

After decades of observance, the Spring Festival is not only a festival for Cuban Chinese to celebrate their roots, but a large celebration for both Chinese and locals. Havana's Chinatown, the epicenter of Chinese New Year celebrations, has preserved and promoted Chinese culture over the years.

"What makes Havana Chinatown so special? Well, it started as a group of immigrants who adapted to Cuban life, contributing to it and making it their own," said Tamames.

Chinese cultural centers and restaurants celebrating the festival can be found around Havana, with activities in the Chinese Wushu School and the Confucius Institute, and events held by the Chinese embassy in Havana. With Chinese traditional music and dances as well as a fair presenting Chinese crafts and food for people to enjoy, the event features deep bonds between the local Chinese community and China.

"This is not an isolated ethnic group. The Chinese overseas community, also quite distant, has been actively participating in the historic development of China," said Tamames.

Spring Festival celebrations in Cuba celebrates Cuban Chinese heritage

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Argentine counterpart, Pablo Quirno, agreed to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries and expand bilateral practical cooperation during their meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting, held on the sidelines of a UN Security Council high-level meeting on upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system, Wang said that China and Argentina should jointly support and revitalize the United Nations and promote the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

China stands ready to work with Argentina to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote the long-term, steady development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

China appreciates Argentina's adherence to the one-China principle, he said.

Noting the strong economic complementarity between the two countries, Wang said both sides should continue to expand practical cooperation across various fields.

Wang called on the two sides to properly manage disruptive factors.

Noting that China neither seeks geopolitical rivalry nor asks other countries to choose sides, he said China-Argentina cooperation is not directed against any third party, but reflects mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Quirno expressed gratitude for China's support on the issue of the Malvinas Islands, noting that Argentina will firmly uphold the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen its shared interests with China to benefit the people of both countries and enhance the strategic nature of Argentina-China relations.

Chinese, Argentine FMs agree to deepen strategic ties, cooperation