On February 6, the “Nihao! China – Let’s Meet” 2025 Chinese New Year cultural exchange event commenced with a screen lighting ceremony in both Chongqing and London. Guests from both cities jointly illuminated the screen to launch the week-long celebration. The lighting ceremony was broadcast live globally through the Western China International Communication Organization’s online platforms. Hosts from Chongqing and London guided global audiences through exciting performances and interactive activities from both cities, allowing viewers to experience the lively atmosphere of the event in real time.
Citizens of Chongqing and London interacted through a live broadcast. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
The event is guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and the China National Tourist Office London, organised by the Western China International Communication Organization and the Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation, and hosted by Weber Oriental Ltd. in the UK. It aims to showcase the unique charm of Chongqing and London through cultural exchange between the East and West, offering an innovative cultural experience for the citizens of both cities.
Children from Chongqing offer New Year greetings to citizens of London through the screen. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
Chongqing-London Chinese New Year Celebration Held for the Third Consecutive Year
Although Chongqing and London are thousands of miles apart, their cultural resonance transcends mountains and seas. Over the past two years, Chongqing successfully held the “Exploring Yummy Chongqing in London” Chinese Food Culture Overseas Promotion Experience and the “Where Land Meets Sea – Chinese Dragon Dance in (the) UK” 2024 Chinese New Year Cultural Promotion in the UK, both of which received widespread attention. At the invitation of the China National Tourist Office London, this year, Chongqing continues its city image promotion in the UK by hosting the “Let’s Meet the World” New Year special – “Nihao! China – Let’s Meet” 2025 Chinese New Year Cultural Exchange Event.
“As the Spring Festival was officially added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the global cultural value of this festival has been recognised by the international community. This event, centered around the Chinese New Year, uses the Time-Space Magic Mirror as a platform to invite the British public and overseas Chinese in the UK to interact in real-time with Chongqing citizens, breaking the boundaries of space. It brings the cultural essence of Chongqing to the UK, shares joy with friends in London, and invites the UK public and overseas Chinese to celebrate the New Year together with Chongqing residents, experiencing the unique charm of the city,” said Zhang Qiong, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, in her speech.
Guests jointly activated the device, symbolizing the official opening of the “magical gateway” for cultural exchange between Chongqing and London. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
Starting the Magical Journey for Chongqing and London Citizens
Pan Hang, Director Assistant of the China National Tourist Office London, gave a speech at King’s Cross Station in London: “Our interactive installation is like this magical journey, building a bridge between China and the UK, between Chongqing and London, and between tradition and modernity. This Chinese New Year, step into our ‘New Year Studio,’ where you can take photos with Chongqing’s Hongya Cave or London’s Tower Bridge. Through our live broadcast screen, you can wave to friends who are thousands of miles away. Or write a digital postcard at the ‘New Year Post Office’—this small gesture carries warm cross-border blessings.”
Guests in London jointly activated the device, symbolizing the official opening of the “magical gateway” for cultural exchange between Chongqing and London. (Photo/Weber Oriental Ltd.)
Subsequently, guests from both China and the UK participated in an engaging blind box Q&A through this “magical gateway.” The guests randomly selected questions and shared their unique insights into Chongqing and London. One interesting question that arose was: If you could use one word to recommend Chongqing or London, what would it be?
Wang Ya, a member of the Party Committee and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Chongqing Daily Newspaper Group, chose the word “Awesome” to vividly illustrate Chongqing’s unique charm. He said, “Chongqing’s landscapes, topography, three-dimensional transportation, and smart manufacturing are all awesome, but its imagination is even more extraordinary. The vertical marathon is a perfect example. I invite our UK friends to come to Chongqing and experience its ‘Awesome’!” Pan Hang, Director Assistant of the China National Tourist Office London, used the word “Diversity” to describe his view of London. “London is a city rich in history and culture, known for its strong inclusiveness, blending architecture from different eras and people from various countries,” he said. “Diversity can also describe China, and we hope people from all over the world will visit China.”
When discussing beautiful attractions in Chongqing and London, Ma Wenjun, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of Nan’an District, Chongqing, and Director of the District Government’s Information Office, recommended three major attractions in Nan’an District: the Danzishi Square at the confluence of the two rivers, the “Copper Coin Light” City Balcony, and the Nanshan Hotpot Street. Ma Wenjun welcomed global friends, especially those from the UK, to experience the unique charm of Nan’an, in English. Frances Wood, a renowned British sinologist and historian, recommended the Victoria and Albert Museum, where visitors can deeply explore British history and culture, and King’s Cross Station, the venue for this event. The station is convenient and located near the river, offering a glimpse into a different, new side of London.
Wang Haiyan, Director of the Culture and Tourism Development Committee of Fengdu County, expressed hope that in 2025, more international friends, especially those from the UK, would come to experience Fengdu’s carefully crafted cultural and tourism products, such as the Blessing Culture Season and Fengdu Temple Fair. In London, local influencer Papanpanda looked forward to dressing in traditional Chinese Hanfu, recommending Chinese traditional Hanfu culture to more places and hoped to visit Chongqing to experience the legendary 8D city.
Wang Haiyan, Director of the Culture and Tourism Development Committee of Fengdu County, invited international friends to visit Fengdu’s unique cultural and tourism products. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
Pan Jianxi from Shuren-Bowen Primary School in Shapingba District, Chongqing, performed a suona solo of The Red Flag Flies Over the Red Flag Canal. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
Citizens of Chongqing and London interacted in real-time through a large screen, exchanging smiles, thumbs-up, and hugs. (Photo/Western China International Communication Organization)
Citizens of Chongqing and London interacted in real-time through a large screen, exchanging smiles, thumbs-up, and hugs. (Photo/Weber Oriental Ltd.)
Citizens of Chongqing and London interacted in real-time through a large screen, exchanging smiles, thumbs-up, and hugs. (Photo/Weber Oriental Ltd.)
The “Nihao! China – Let’s Meet” 2025 Chinese New Year cultural exchange event has provided a unique cultural experience for citizens in both Chongqing and London. The event will run until February 10. During this time, from 11:00 to 13:00 (London time) on the 26th and from 11:00 to 12:00 between February 7 and 10, as well as from 19:00 to 21:00 (Beijing time) on the 6th and from 19:00 to 20:00 between February 7 and 10, the installation screens at Chongqing’s Changjiahui and London’s King’s Cross Station will be connected in real-time. People will be able to greet each other through the screens, exchange holiday wishes, and experience the cultural charm arising from the fusion of tradition and modernity in both cities.
