Cameroonians and Chinese authorities reviewed cooperation ties during the celebration Tuesday.

It was with extraordinary passion that the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Cameroon, Wei Wenhua, wished a happy monkey year to the crowd of Cameroonians and Chinese nationals that thronged the Douala Castle Hall to celebrate the Chinese New-Year on January 2, 2016.

The Chinese New-Year, also known as the Spring Festival, that has been celebrated for over 200 years is often represented by an animal. The animal for 2016; a monkey, according to the Chinese tradition symbolises intelligence, creativity, charisma, happiness and success among others. Cameroonians and Chinese communities all over the country showcased their various cultures through dancing to the admiration of authorities.

Present at the venue to rekindle and seal the outstanding relationship that existed between the two countries as far back as 26th March, 1971, were the Littoral Governor, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, the SDO of Wouri, Naseri Paul Bea, the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone, the President of CCIMA, Christophe Eken, and the Protocol and Consular Branch Office boss in Douala.

Addressing the multitude, Governor Ivaha Diboua enumerated the fruit of collaboration between the two countries in the socio-economic and political spheres. He acknowledged their contribution towards Cameroon’s emergence sighting the Lom-Pangar Dam and the Yaounde-Douala highway constructed by Chinese firms. He acknowledged the Chinese government for the partial funding for the construction of the Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric Hospital by a Chinese firm and the Douala water supply project. Given that thousands of Cameroonians are interested in Chinese language is telling of a common future for both countries.

After reviewing a positive balance-sheet of his country, the Ambassador Wei Wenhua saluted the hospitality of Cameroonians to the over 1,000 Chinese residing in Cameroon and mentioned that China is the N°1 economic partner of Cameroon. Earlier, during a courtesy visit at the Governor’s office in the presence of Zhang Daxing, Chinese Consul in Douala, the Ambassador discussed on the reinforcement of the 45-year bilateral relationship and enjoined his subjects to be law-abiding and contribute positively towards Cameroon’s emergence.