On January 26, the Chinese Embassy in Suriname and the Suriname Chinese United Association(SCUA) held a joint press conference on the upcoming Chinese New Year Temple Fair. H.E. Yang Zigang, Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhang Zhihe, Excutive Vice Chairman of SCUA, Mr. Li Xuexiong, Chairman of the congress of SCUA, Ms.Chen Yu, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the Temple Fair attended the press conference. The journalists from Times of Suriname, De Ware Tijd, Dagblad Suriname, STVS, ATV and the local Chinese newspapers and television took part in the press conference in the Embassy.

Ambassador Yang said that Chinese Spring Festival was announced to be the National Holiday of Suriname by the Surinamese government in 2014. Holding traditional activities like the Temple Fair during the Spring Festival is aimed at promoting Chinese culture and enhancing the exchanges between different ethnic groups; it is also helpful for the Chinese community to better integrate into the local society. The first Temple Fair held last year was a great success and widely praised by the Surinamese people. The opening ceremony of the second Temple Fair will be held in KKF at 11:00 a.m. on February 7. The Chinese Embassy, local Chinese community and the Chinese enterprises, jointed by Surinamese participants of other ethnic groups, will set up many booths for cultural experience, exhibition and sales of handicrafts and food. Members of the local Chinese art center, along with other art groups, will present a gala show starting at 6:30 p.m. The admission is free, and everybody is welcome and will surely enjoy an exciting and happy holiday.

Mr. Zhang Zhihe and Ms. Chen Yu answered questions about the procedure, venue and sponsorship of the Temple Fair. Ambassador Yang also answered questions on Suriname-China Relations, bilateral pragmatic cooperation and cultural exchanges.