The Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands on Thursday hosted a reception in the Hague to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 17 this year.
Around 300 guests, including Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Shen Bo, overseas Chinese, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions, and Chinese students, attended the reception.
After addressing the reception, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Robert Tieman extended Chinese New Year greetings to the Chinese people and highlighted the symbolism of the Year of the Horse.
"I talked about the Year of the Horse upcoming, and also, the New Year, and strength and determination is the Year of the Horse. Strength is also what connects us, determination, let's move forward on that 30 years determined roadway. And I wish the people in China a great Year of the Horse," said Tieman.
Fernando Arias, director-general of the Organization for Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons praised China's role in multilateral diplomacy and offered his best wishes for the Chinese New Year.
"I wish the day like this one the best for the international community, with hope that China will be very successful this year. And this important role that China has in the world will benefit the stability and the understanding of all the common work we do in the Hague with multilateral diplomacy and bilateral diplomacy," said Arias.
In addition, the promotional video of the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was also screened during the reception, with a series of cultural and creative products on display to mark the launch of promotional events of the gala in the Netherlands.
The promotional video will also be screened at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the Dutch railway system, and the China Cultural Center in the Hague ahead of the Chinese New Year, enabling more people in the Netherlands to learn about China and its culture, and sharing the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands hosts reception to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival
