STORY: Diverse celebrations held in Paris, London to celebrate Chinese New Year
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 2-3, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:04
LOCATION: Paris/London
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year in Paris
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): JEANNE D'HAUTESERRE, Mayor of the 8th arrondissement of Paris
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): JEAN-YVES, French visitor
4. various of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year in London
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): AGGIE LAU, Resident in London
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): TARU SINGHAL, Student from King's College London
7. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): ABUDUL HAI, Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs at LabTech London Ltd.

STORYLINE:

People in Paris were captivated by celebrations of the Chinese New Year as a group of performers brought the traditional Chinese festive culture to the French capital on Sunday.

Dressed in dazzling costumes, performers brought traditional lion and dragon dances, as well as the lively Yingge dance, to the iconic Champs-Elysees Avenue.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): JEANNE D'HAUTESERRE, Mayor of the 8th arrondissement of Paris
"They have brought the Chinese community and the French people closer together. The French love to celebrate this event, which is a major celebration, because the Chinese New Year means a lot to the Chinese, with its traditions, its very unique culture, the respect and love for others, and above all, the respect for family."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): JEAN-YVES, French visitor
"They are fantastic. We have amazing costumes, decorations, gestures, people, and artists. Really, it's all very, very well done. So, it's an extra attraction for me to actually go and visit China."

London in Britain has also seen various Chinese New Year celebrations held in landmarks such as Trafalgar Square, Camden Market and Chinatown, bringing Spring Festival blessings to residents and visitors from around the world.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): AGGIE LAU, Resident in London
"Yeah, it's really nice. Everyone's happy and it's very busy. It's nice to see other people coming out that aren't Chinese but trying to learn more about it and keep it going."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): TARU SINGHAL, Student from King's College London
"They're selling the Chinese stuff as well like the fabrics and the dress and all, that's I think a very good way of including people into the tradition, like introducing them because I think dressing up is something that everyone enjoys."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): ABUDUL HAI, Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs at LabTech London Ltd.
"It's a real pleasure for us to host the first ever Chinese New Year event at the famous Camden Market.
So this is an opportunity, especially for young students, young people, to come and learn, to appreciate, to understand, and to bring people together through us and culture."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Paris and London.
(XHTV)