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

Chinese investments are bringing new development opportunities to Hauts-de-France, a traditional industrial region in northern France, as local governments actively attract Chinese new energy enterprises to participate in the region's industrial transformation.

The Hauts-de-France region was once home to Griset, a copper processing company with a history of over 260 years and a pillar of France's metallurgical industry. Faced with global competition and fluctuations in metal prices, the company teetered on the brink of bankruptcy until its acquisition by TNMG, China's leading copper producer, enabled it to rise from the ashes under the name TG Griset. "Today, we have achieved our production target of 7,000 tons per year. This is a remarkable change compared to when we started back in 2016, when a small team of just 12 people launched operations. Now we have 70 employees, along with new projects, development prospects, and a future strategy. The group has also provided us with investment support," said David Derache, general manager of TG Griset.

Located nearly equidistant between Paris and London, as well as nearby the industrial heartlands of Western Europe, Hauts-de-France enjoys huge geographical advantages and a solid foundation in the automotive industry, with carmakers like Renault and Stellantis present. Official data shows that the region has drawn nearly 50 Chinese enterprises to invest and establish operations across sectors including automotive, energy, and chemicals.

Leading the charge the promotion of the region is Nord France Invest, which offers support to international companies and investors seeking to expand in Hauts-de-France.

"We go on a regular basis in China to meet with Chinese groups and, once again, to explain where we are, what we do, and how we can help them choose our region and make sure that we are the hub for them in Europe and the best gateway for Chinese investment here," said Yann Pitollet, CEO of Nord France Invest.

Beyond capital, Hauts-de-France values China's strengths in the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing sector, particularly in batteries and materials. For this traditional industrial region, attracting Chinese enterprises is not only about drawing investment but also about the electrification transformation and the future development of its automotive industry.

"The best-selling electric vehicle in France today is a Renault car -- the Renault 5. It uses Chinese batteries, and these batteries are produced right here in the Hauts-de-France region. These modern examples -- whether in electric vehicle batteries, related investments, or the development of port industries -- show that these new industrial developments are significant for regions like ours," said Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council.

China-France cooperation powers transformation of traditional French industries