On February 9th, the Embassy in Mozambique held a Chinese New Year reception. Ambassador Zheng Xuan and UNESCO Representative to Mozambique, Croft, delivered speeches respectively. Representatives of the Mozambique government, Minister of Education and Culture, Tomila, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs, Mansour, and about 350 people from various sectors of Mozambique, diplomatic missions, Chinese enterprises, and representatives of overseas Chinese gathered together to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year.   

Ambassador Zheng delivered a passionate speech, extending holiday greetings and sincere wishes to the guests and all Chinese compatriots in Mozambique.   In the upcoming Year of the Horse, China will set sail for the 15th Five Year Plan, expand high-level opening up, share development opportunities with countries around the world, and continue to firmly serve as a stable anchor and star for world peace and development.

Ambassador Zheng stated that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mozambique, as well as the 70th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the "China Africa Cultural Exchange Year". The African continent, including Mozambique, has always been a priority direction for China's development of foreign relations. In the upcoming Year of the Horse, the Chinese Embassy in Mozambique is willing to work with friends from all walks of life to push China Mozambique relations to a new level and contribute to building an all-weather China Africa community with a shared future in the new era!   

Croft stated that the Spring Festival has been included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024. Wishing both China and Mozambique to continuously enhance their friendship and cooperation in the new year with the speed and vitality demonstrated by the Chinese zodiac horse. UNESCO is willing to continue strengthening dialogue and exchanges with China and Mozambique in the fields of culture, education, arts, and other areas.   

The reception was festive, lively, full of New Year's flavor, and joyful. The 2026 New Year themed promotional video was played on site, and everyone experienced folk culture such as writing blessings and cutting window flowers. They watched performances such as Tai Chi, pipa playing, and lion dance. Mozambican friends sang famous Chinese songs such as "China in the Lights" and "In the Fields of Hope". Guests exchanged holiday greetings, and overseas Chinese thanked the Party and the country for their concern and care. They wished the great motherland prosperity and peace, and expressed their willingness to make greater contributions to deepening bilateral relations and friendly cooperation.