On January 15, 2022, Chinese Consul General in Penang Mr. Lu Shiwei attended the Launching Ceremony of the 2022 Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) and delivered a speech. Nearly 200 people including Chief Minister of Penang Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Penang State Executive Councillor Mr. Soon Lip Chee, and Chairman of the Penang Chinese Clan Council (PCCC) Mr. Ang Cho Teing, etc. participated in the event.

Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei first extended his New Year wishes to overseas Chinese in the consular district and all the friends who participated in the Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui). He said that the Spring Festival is a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. The families have their members gather together, welcome the new year, and look forward to a better life in the new year. Temple fair (Miao Hui) is a traditional Chinese folk cultural event, which enjoys long history of thousands of years and is deeply loved by the public. The Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) has become a bright name card that highlights the profound cultural heritage of Penang and a grand festive ceremony held annually for the local Chinese community to actively participate in. Its original aspiration is to cherish the memories of the past and to inherit Chinese traditional culture. The ceremony also showcase the charm of multiculturalism, inclusiveness and harmony of Malaysia.

Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei said that the year 2021 was an extraordinary year for China. We celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and are embarking on a new journey to the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. The vast majority of Chinese people abroad were concerned about their ancestral homes, and been always paying attention to and supporting China’s endeavors in revolution, development, reform and opening-up, and national rejuvenation. They have played a unique role and have made indelible contributions. In 2022, we will welcome the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and will convene the 20^th National Congress of the CPC. It is hoped that more friends, especially young friends, will pay attention to China, experience China’s development and changes, understand China’s history and culture, become a bridge and link between China and Malaysia, and become the ambassadors of China-Malaysia friendship.

The Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) is a Chinese Lunar New Year folk cultural event supported by the Penang State Government, organized by the PCCC, planned and coordinated by Penang Cultural Inheritors Society, and participated by a large number of volunteer teams. Since 1999, it has been held for 23 consecutive years, and is a well-known cultural brand in Penang, Malaysia, and even in the world. The Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui) was held online for the first time last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it will be held both online and offline simultaneously, with “Check In” as the theme of the event, combining traditional culture with modern science and technology, arts, music and so on to create new highlights such as website games, live streams, and flash mobs. There were wonderful dances, lion dance, and performances by young singers at the launching ceremony. A lighting ceremony was also held. The entire event was full of enthusiasm and festive vibes.