The celebrations around the Spring Festival, which this year is placed under the sign of hope and new beginnings, began Wednesday evening with a banquet. Indeed, the Association of Chinese Associations organized a banquet at the Hua Lien Club, the guest of honor was Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. To keep with tradition, the traditional firecrackers and a cultural show marked the beginning of this evening.
Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible to hold the luncheon. This year, members of the Chinese-Mauritian community were out in force for this traditional event. Other distinguished guests included the Vice President of the Republic, Eddy Boissezon, members of the government, the Chinese Ambassador and members of the business community in Mauritius.
The Prime Minister said he was happy to be among this community on this occasion. He underlined his optimism for the New Year. “Hope and a new beginning is the spirit that animates us in this new year 2023 as the recovery recorded in all sectors of activity offers new prospects for growth,” he said.
Pravind Jugnauth reiterated the message of peace, of coexistence, the value on which the Mauritian nation is founded. “There is no prosperity without peace. The path of Mauritius and the economic miracle that we achieved in 1980, illustrate that peace is an essential factor for development” said the PM. He goes on to stress that “for sustained economic growth and prosperity of the nation we must continue to promote the values of peace, brotherhood, openness and mutual respect.”
Pravind Jugnauth did not mark to pay tribute to the Chinese community in Mauritius for their exemplary contribution to the development of the country. The Chinese community has played a decisive role in the success of our economy, not to mention that the Chinese diaspora has transmitted its cultural heritage from generation to generation,” said the PM. At the same time, he spoke about the strong ties between Mauritius and China, and this has happened, thanks to the role played by this community. He took this opportunity to pay tribute to the Chinese ambassador for his initiatives to give an even greater dimension to the relations between China and Mauritius.
Finally, he called on the population to remain vigilant about health as the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. ZHU Liying and the president of hua Lien Club spoke.
