Lion dance performed in Cambodia to greet Chinese New Year

ion and dragon dances are performed in Cambodia on Sunday to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Monday.

Three lion and dragon dance troupes started their first performance at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh; then, at the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia before moving to elsewhere across the country.

At the Royal Palace, the troupes were welcomed by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Royal Palace Minister Kong Sam Ol, while at the embassy, they were received by Ambassador Bu Jianguo.

Luo Si Xing, vice-president of the Chinese Association in Cambodia, said the performance was to bless both overseas Chinese and Cambodians with happiness and prosperity in the New Year.

"The performance is also to preserve and promote Chinese culture and traditions in Cambodia," he said.

Ambassador Bu said the performance would contribute to further enhancing cultural relations between China and Cambodia.

"May the Year of the Monkey bring luck, fortune and prosperity to the Chinese people, Cambodians with Chinese descent, and all Cambodian people," she said.

Lion dance is invited by traditional Chinese families to perform as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Spring Festival and to ward off bad luck and evil spirits.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that the Chinese Lunar New Year is broadly celebrated in Cambodia.

"Ahead of the new year, people have decorated their houses with Chinese couplets," he said during a university graduation ceremony.

"Cambodia celebrates three new year festivals a year the Universal New Year, the Chinese New Year and the Cambodian New Year."

Chinese New Year is not an official holiday in this Southeast Asian nation, but some schools, private companies and state institutions are closed by themselves for the occasion. Enditem