Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles Rings in the Year of the Horse With Lunar New Year Reception

By Richard Ren / LAPost
Los Angeles — February 6, 2026

The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles hosted a Lunar New Year reception on Thursday evening to welcome the upcoming Year of the Horse, bringing together nearly 200 guests from across its consular district and Southern California’s civic and cultural communities.

Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun and his wife, Wang Wei, greeted overseas Chinese residents, international students, employees of Chinese enterprises, and representatives from various sectors. California State Assemblymember Mike Fong was in attendance, along with Leland (Guoxiong) Sun, a great-grandson of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who attended with family members.

In his remarks, Guo extended New Year greetings and expressed appreciation for the community’s longstanding support of the consulate and its efforts to promote friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. He described the Spring Festival as the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, symbolizing renewal, family unity, and harmony between humanity and nature.

“Wherever Chinese people may live, the Spring Festival remains a shared cultural bond,” Guo said, adding that the holiday has increasingly become a bridge connecting different civilizations and is now celebrated around the world.

Guo noted that China continued steady progress in 2025, with economic growth driven by innovation and high-quality development, and said the country is entering the next stage of modernization with an emphasis on openness, people’s well-being, and cultural exchange. He also highlighted the consulate’s work over the past year, including expanding youth exchanges, improving visa and consular services, safeguarding the rights and safety of Chinese nationals, and strengthening cooperation between California and Chinese cities.

Guo reaffirmed that subnational and people-to-people ties remain a cornerstone of U.S.-China relations, particularly through youth, cultural, and local exchanges. Looking ahead to the Year of the Horse, he said the consulate would continue to serve the community with efficiency and care, while supporting practical cooperation and mutual understanding at the local level.

Assemblymember Mike Fong wished guests a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year and praised the contributions of Chinese American communities to California’s economy, culture, and history. He emphasized the importance of economic ties between California and China, noting their role in supporting jobs and business opportunities across the state, and reiterated his commitment to advancing recognition of Chinese American history and culture.

The celebration featured cultural performances, including a solo dance by a student from the University of California, Irvine, and a spirited youth lion dance performance, “Lions Celebrate Spring,” which filled the venue with festive energy.

The reception was hosted by Deputy Consul General Guo Zhiqiang and concluded with guests exchanging New Year wishes ahead of the Spring Festival.