DILI, 29 january 2025 (TATOLI) – Today, thousands of overseas Chinese gathered at the Chinese Embassy in Dili, to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year.
Kathleen Goncalves, the head of local Chinese communities, said that the celebration of the Chinese lunar new year, in Timor-Leste begins with paying respect and praying to god at the Chinese Temple of Dili, locally known as Xina Maromak.
She explained that paying respect and prayer is the central part of Chinese New Year celebrations: “After paying respect and prayer at the Temple of Dili, we gather at the Chinese Embassy to share solidarity with each other.”
Kathleen said in the days leading up to the New Year, the Chinese Communities distributed basic necessities, mainly food, to more than 300 families in the country.
At the same place, Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, congratulated the Chinese communities, calling on all Chinese people in Timor-Leste to pray for a prosperous Timor-Leste”.
On january 17, Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Office of People’s Government of Yunnan Province, hosted “Experiencing the Beauty of Chinese Art and Culture – Feast of Chinese Spring Festival Celebration” Event in Dili to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival.
During the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Wang Wenli said that the Spring Festival, with over 4,000 years of history, embodies values of peace, concord and harmony, carries on the common values of humanity such as family happiness, social inclusiveness, and harmonious coexistence with nature.
She emphasized that China and Timor-Leste share a long history of friendship and cultural exchange: “The Spring Festival has become an integral part of Timor-Leste’s multicultural landscape.”
In his speech at the Spring Festival celebration, President Horta congratulated and wished all overseas Chinese in Timor-Leste and friends around the world a happy Lunar New Year.
Horta praised Timor-Leste-China relationship and the friendly and practical cooperation between the two countries, and thanked China for its support and help to Timor-Leste.
The Head of State wished that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Timor-Leste would continue to reach a new height in the new year.
As of 2025, there were more than 12,000 Chinese people living in Timor-Leste, including Timorese citizens of Chinese descent.
This year, the Chinese New Year begins on 29 January and ushers in the Year of the Snake.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
