ISTANBUL, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- A reception was held on Tuesday evening in Türkiye's largest city, Istanbul, to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The Chinese Consulate General hosted the event in the bustling Besiktas district on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait.
Many overseas Chinese and Turkish guests, local officials, and members of diplomatic missions attended the event, which included performances by Chinese singers and dancers and a gala dinner.
While wishing the Turkish and Chinese citizens peace and prosperity in the New Year, Wei Xiaodong, China's consul general in Istanbul, said that the two countries will continue to strengthen their cooperation in different fields within the framework of a win-win understanding.
Mehmet Zahit Uzun, deputy head of the Istanbul office of Turkish Foreign Ministry, said Türkiye hopes that the year of the dragon brings strength and good fortune to the international community to overcome all challenges.
Barbaros Buyuksagnak, head of Istanbul municipal foreign relations department, said that Istanbul will further strengthen relations with its Chinese sister cities, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on Feb. 10 this year. It is the most celebrated holiday in China that features family reunions and many cultural events.
