By Mewati Sitaram
His Excellency Kong Xianhua, Consul General of People’s Republic of China in Mumbai, hosted the Spring Festival 2025 at Mumbai’s Trident Hotel on January 22nd, 2025, marking it as a grand and memorable occasion. The event was attended by Consul Generals from various countries, who’s who of India, Media professionals and over 200 distinguished guests from all walks of life, who gathered for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Spring Blossoms celebration.
In his opening speech, Consul General Kong Xianhua conveyed his warm wishes, stating that on behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Mumbai, he wished all Chinese compatriots and Indian friends a prosperous and successful Year of the Snake. He emphasized that the Spring Festival is the most important celebration in Chinese culture, a time when families and friends unite to welcome the new year.
Consul General Kong Xianhua with his consulate team (Photo: Mewati Sitaram)
The Consul General highlighted that the Spring Festival was recently inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, officially recognizing it as an international event. This recognition underscores how the values of amity, peace, and harmony celebrated during the Spring Festival have found resonance with people around the world.
In his speech, CG Kong also noted that the 2025 Chinese New Year coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. He extended his best wishes to all the visitors of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest gathering.
The Consul General noted the positive progress in the China-India relationship and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes. The first formal meeting in five years between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, significantly strengthened our bilateral ties and set them on the right path. A key consensus was also reached on the Special Representatives & Meeting on the China-India Boundary Question, further solidifying our partnership.
CG emphasized that while we celebrate the Spring Festival, the world is grappling with tension and conflict. Despite the challenges of an unstable international landscape, China stays committed to socialism with Chinese characteristics, guided by Marxism and rooted in its 5,000-year-old civilization. Through Chinese modernization, China has ensured enduring prosperity, stability, and improved living standards, becoming a steadfast force for stability in an increasingly turbulent world.
The Consul General highlighted that in the first 11 months of 2024, China-India trade reached a record high of 126.6 billion USD, while visa applications at the Mumbai Consulate increased by 34% compared to 2023, totalling nearly 70,000. These numbers reflect the growing China-India relationship and Indian interest in visiting China. To improve services, the Consulate has reduced visa fees, authorized company representatives and travel agents for submissions, and opened green channels for Indian exhibitors. We warmly welcome Indian friends wishing to visit China!
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
