The United Chinese Associations in Mauritius held a Chinese New Year Banquet and Gala Show On February 5, 2021. The Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Mauritian Prime Minister and his spouse, the Hon Sooroojdev Phokeer, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius, the Hon Arvin Boolell, Leader of the Opposition, H.E. Mr. Sun Gongyi, Ambassador of China and his spouse, some members of the diplomatic corps in Mauritius and Mr. Eric LimPresident of the United Chinese Associations, representatives of the Chinese community in Mauritius attended the event.
In his address, the Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth expressed gratitude to the Chinese community in Mauritius for their outstanding contributions to the social development and cultural diversity of Mauritius, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius 48 years ago, bilateral relations have developed with great momentum and Sino-Mauritian cooperation in economic, cultural and other fields has yielded fruitful results. On January 1, the Free Trade Agreement between China and Mauritius formally took effect, which again reflects the deep friendship between the two countries. In the future, Mauritius is willing to further reinforce relations with China and push the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
In his speech, H.E. Mr. Sun Gongyi highlighted that the past year witnessed the Chinese government adhering to people-centered policy and life-first principle, quickly containing the spread of the virus and protecting the people's safety and health to the greatest extent. China's economy is recovering steadily, with its GDP reaching a new level of one hundred trillion yuan. China has historically succeeded to lift nearly 100 million rural poor people out of poverty and has actively contributed wisdom and strength to the global fight against the pandemic, provided assistance to more than 150 countries and 10 international organizations, and helped save thousands of lives around the world with practical actions. China has provided vaccines to 13 countries, and the Chinese government has also decided to donate 10 million doses of vaccine to COVAX, mainly to meet the urgent needs of developing countries.
H.E. Mr. Sun Gongyi underscored that both the Chinese and Mauritian people stayed in the same boat and helped each other tide over the crisis during the raging pandemic, writing a touching chapter of boundless love while fighting the epidemic side by side. In the new year, Sino-Mauritian relations will continue to deepen along with the formal implementation of the Free Trade Agreement which will certainly inject new impetus into the friendly cooperation between China and Mauritius in various fields in the post-pandemic era, helping the economic recovery of China and Mauritius after the epidemic and bringing more benefits to the people of the two countries. China is willing to continue to work hand in hand with the people of all countries in the world, including Mauritius, to overcome difficulties and strive to build a better home on the earth.
Mr. Eric Lim conveyed Chinese New Year blessings to the overseas Chinese in Mauritius and said that the Chinese community will continue to work actively to promote the recovery and development of Mauritian economy and society, and contribute to the cooperation in various fields between China and Mauritius in the post-epidemic era.
The short video named "Tomorrow Will Be Better" was also played at the banquet which vividly showcased China's achievements in the fields of epidemic prevention, economy, technology, and people's livelihood in the past year. Students from the China Cultural Center, Chinese associations, and local artists presented lion dance, erhu, and other cultural programs, and their wonderful performances won rounds of applause. The guests exchanged New Year greetings, and the hall was filled with a happy and peaceful festive atmosphere.
Mauritius is the only African country that has designated the Spring Festival as a public holiday. As the Spring Festival of the Year of Ox is approaching, large posters celebrating the Chinese New Year have been hung up at many bus stations in Rose Hill and Quatre Bornes, which conveys the strong atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.