Article By Yan Yuqing
February 17, 2026, marks the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Horse, also known as the Spring Festival. With a history of more than 4,000 years, the Spring Festival is the most solemn and grand traditional festival of the Chinese people. It is acrystallization of the Chinese culture and serves as an important window for understanding China.
The Spring Festival is a time of reunion and a vivid embodiment of the Chinese culture of “Harmony”. The Chinese people value family harmony, believing that harmony brings
good fortune. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, those who are away from home will return to reunite with their families, working together to prepare a grand reunion dinner. On this night, every family is immersed in peace and harmony, with family members freely sharing their stories of the past year.
The Chinese people also cherish the philosophy of “Harmony and Coexistence” of the world. Last year, we solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, firmly standing on the side of peace and justice. China has translated the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative into concrete actions.
We are sharing development opportunities with countries around the world, including Nigeria, and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Last year, Nigeria joined the International Organization for Mediation, demonstrating its firm support for multilateralism and determination in working with China to promote world peace, development and win-win cooperation. It is a vivid example of the philosophy of “Harmony and Coexistence”.
The Spring Festival is also a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, embodying the Chinese people’s heartfelt aspirations for a better future. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, Chinese families observe the tradition of staying up together in anticipation of the arrival of the New Year. On the first day of the New Year, people go out to visit their relatives and friends, extending their most sincere wishes.
In the new year, China-Nigeria relations will also usher in a fresh chapter. Looking back at 2025, bilateral relations between the two countries have advanced by leaps and bounds. The foreign ministers of the two countries met three times to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, leading the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards a new height.
Over the past year, the Consulate General, together with friends from all sectors in China and Nigeria, celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day of our two countries. Our bilateral cooperation projects and people-to-people exchanges keep emerging. In the year ahead, the Chinese Consulate General will continue to carry out a wide range of cultural exchanges and charitable donations to promote exchanges and mutual learning between our two civilisations, further consolidating the foundation of the China-Nigeria community with a shared future.
In 2024, “Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration the traditional New Year” was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So far, nearly 20 countries have designated the Spring Festival as a statutory public holiday, including the United Nations in 2023.
The Spring Festival now belongs not only to China, but also to the whole world. We sincerely hope that Nigerian friends will join us in celebrating the Spring Festival amid this festive atmosphere and enjoy the grand cultural feast together. This year is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese tradition. In the Chinese culture, the horse symbolises strength, courage, and success. I sincerely wish that the China–Nigeria relations, just like a galloping horse, will surmount obstacles and develop with an unstoppable momentum.
Finally, on the occasion of the Spring Festival, on behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, I would like to extend my sincere New Year greetings to all Chinese nationals in the consular district, as well as to all friends who support China-Nigeria friendship. May you enjoy a happy Spring Festival, be full of vitality and achieve swift and resounding success in the Year of the Horse!
Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos
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