Chinese Consulate General in Toronto hosts reception to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival

The Consulate General of China in Toronto held a reception on Friday to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, with a host of traditional performances and colorful presentations to get the Canadian and Chinese guests into the festive spirit.

The event was held to mark the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 17 this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.

Various cultural and creative products from the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, a grand celebration presented by the China Media Group (CMG), made the perfect gifts for guests during the special event, thanks to their exquisite design and positive meanings.

The reception was attended by over 500 guests, including Canadian political and business figures, overseas Chinese, and representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises and Chinese students in Canada.

At the event at the Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Toronto, Chinese Consul General in Toronto Luo Weidong outlined the past year's achievements in China's development and the gratifying changes in China-Canada relations. He also extended festival greetings and best wishes for the Year of the Horse to all Chinese nationals.

Many of the guests in attendance also extended their good wishes for the festive season.

"I would like to give my very best wishes to the Canadian Chinese community and people of Chinese background all around the world for a very wonderful, happy Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse. I'm very pleased to have a small horse with me today, but the horse is a mighty courageous animal. This is the Year of the Fire Horse. So it's even more exciting and it will be an adventurous year. Canada and China are forging a new relationship. It's a strategic partnership to make sure that we continue to advance the prosperity, the security and the well-being of people in China and people in Canada,” said Robert Oliphant, a member of Canada's Parliament.

"It's so exciting to have the Year of the Horse. May the Year of the Horse bring you elegance, speed and lots of fun. Happy Year of the Horse! Hope everything goes well. Wishing you prosperity and good health," said Jean Yip, another member of Canada's Parliament, switching effortlessly between English and Chinese.

"So let us be as energetic as the fire horse. Let's make this the best year, and I wish all of you a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Happy Year of the Horse," said Frank Scarpitti, mayor of Markham, Ontario.

"It's the Year of the Horse. So you know, horse symbolizes determination, energy, full perseverance, so I'm sure that 2026 in the Year of the Horse will be a great year for the people of Canada, the people of China and our bilateral relationship," said Bijan Ahmadi, executive director and chief operating officer of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC).

Chinese Consulate General in Toronto hosts reception to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival

The Bhumjaithai Party has emerged as the largest party in Thailand's House of Representatives, according to preliminary results released by the country's Election Commission on Monday.

As of 94 percent vote counting the Bhumjaithai Party captured 193 seats.

"Bhumjaithai's victory today is a victory for all Thais, whether you voted for Bhumjaithai Party or not," said Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party at a press conference on Sunday.

Thai political analyst said the desire for stability is the key for Anutin's election success.

"What determined the winning of the election this time is the nationalist sentiments, the conflict that we have with Cambodia, the stability that they need at this particular point. And I think for the rural voters who actually voted more for Bhumjaithai, for them, I think they need a safety net which is not about large economic reforms, but they need something which is closer to them," said Virot Ari, a political analyst at Bangkok’s Thammasat University.

Since the Bhumjaithai Party failed to secure more than half of the seats in the lower house, it has to form a coalition government with other political parties.

The People's Party and the Pheu Thai Party ranked second and third, respectively, with 118 and 74 seats. The Kla Tham Party and the Democratic Party each got 58 and 22 seats, taking fourth and fifth positions.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of Thailand's People's Party, told the press on Sunday that the party is ready to act as the opposition party.

"No matter the reasons behind how people voted today, the People's Party is ready to continue working in politics, to rebuild political institutions, and to push forward policies for all people," he said.

Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party prepares for coalition talks after election win