Vancouver holds street party to mark ties with China

The Chinatown in downtown Vancouver on the west coast of Canada hosted a large street party on Sunday to mark the Chinese heritage, and highlight the importance of preserving the historic neighborhood.

The festival director Jordan Eng said the Chinatown Festival is now in its 17th year and it has a pretty simple goal.

"To bring more people back into the Chinatown, invigorate the neighborhood and show people what we have to offer," Eng told Xinhua.

The Vancouver Chinatown took shape between the 1890s to the 1920s with early Chinese immigrants settling in what's known as the Shanghai and Canton alleys. By the end of the 19th century, more than 1,000 Chinese residents had lived in the area and some Chinese businesses had taken root there.

But many of the Chinatown's businesses are closing now, and some of the low-income Chinese residents are departing the area for other parts of Metro Vancouver.

Concerns over the area's future has spurred a revitalization plan by the city that aims to foster economic growth, while maintaining the neighborhood's culture and history.

The city is now pumping millions of dollars into upgrading several buildings that belong to Chinese associations.

Eng said holding celebrations like this is also an important part of maintaining a future for Vancouver's Chinatown.

Vancouver's Chinatown is reputed as one of the cleanest modern Chinatowns in North America with world-class Chinese foods, shops and history that has survived for several generations. Endi