Brazil hosts first official Chinese National Day

World Today

Brazil, held its first-ever Chinese National Day. The celebration hosted a range of Chinese, cultural activities and businesses.

CGTN’s Lucrecia Franco reports from Rio de Janeiro.

Follow Lucrecia C. Franco on Twitter @LucreciaFranco

Dragon and lion dances kicked off a two-day celebration in Rio de Janeiro to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The event included martial arts, a tai chi demonstration, dancing performances, and other Chinese cultural traditions.

This is the first time China celebrated its National Day in Rio de Janeiro. According to organizers, the idea is not just to make Brazilians more familiar with Chinese culture, but also to strengthen business ties.

The celebration was the first time that top Chinese firms operating in Rio were able to showcase their products in a single space, both to Brazilians and Chinese businessmen.

The event was sponsored by the Chinese General Consulate in Rio and the city’s cultural office.

According to the General Consulate, about 10-percent of the 300,000 Chinese immigrants in Brazil live in Rio. Many attended the event to show off their customs and the wares of their homeland.

Since 2009, China has been Brazil’s main trading partner and is looking to step up more investments in Rio.

Officials said the celebration may be the first of its kind, but definitely won’t be the last.