On Feb. 19, Consul General TONG Xiaoling attended the Lunar New Year Celebration lunch hosted by Vancouver City and Council. Vancouver City Councilors, School Board Trustees, guests of honour were present.

His Worship Gregor Robertson, Mayor of the City of Vancouver conveyed Lunar New Year greetings to the guests at present, expressed thanks for their contribution to Vancouver's economic development, encouraged to share the development achievement with the disadvantaged groups with generosity in the new year, and reaffirmed that the City of Vancouver will adhere to the cultural diversity.

Consul General TONG Xiaoling wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year in Mandarin, Cantonese and English and the City of Vancouver a prosperous Year of the Dog. She thanked the City of Vancouver and its boards and agencies for having taken care of the Chinese tourists, overseas Chinese students and immigrants of Chinese origin, and said that the Chinese Consulate would be pleased to work closely with the City of Vancouver to promote exchanges and cooperation, and to make the China and Canada Year of Tourism activities in Vancouver a great success.