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Hainan’s Haikou holds friendship event for expats

Participants enjoyed music and artistic performances, as well as calligraphy, Chinese painting and traditional dance contests

© Qin Lingli / Haikou Daily

HAIKOU /China/, January 23. /TASS/. The authorities of Haikou city (the administrative center of South China's Hainan Province) organized an event for foreign specialists to strengthen friendly ties on the Lunar New Year's Eve, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.

The event was supported by the Hainan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology and supervised by the provincial Department of Science and Technology. In addition to performances by musicians and artists, participants enjoyed calligraphy, Chinese painting and traditional dance contests, according to the paper. Those attending also joined in an entertaining game that allowed them to learn more about Hainan's culture and language.

The event received a lot of positive feedback. Catherine Cooke, principal of the Hainan branch of St. Peter's British School, said she felt the hospitality of the islanders and felt the support given to foreigners. She expressed her willingness to help strengthen cultural and humanitarian interaction between the southernmost Chinese province and other countries.

The Lunar New Year will fall on February 10 and will mark the begging of China's Golden Week, week-long national holiday. It will last until February 17. A massive influx of tourists is traditionally expected in Hainan at this time.

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