On February 17th, the 40th session of 2013 Chinese New Year celebration was held at Fuda Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown . As the honorable co-organizer for this event, Chairman, David Teng of CCCICA had been invited as a distinguished guest to attend this grand celebration.

The renowned Chinese New Year Parade was carrying on at the same day, for the 40th time in 2013. It is a fun-filled event for everyone to enjoy. As one of the three largest non-commercial annual parades in Vancouver, the Chinese New Year Parade features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada with dozens of colorful and energetic lions from the various local fraternal and martial arts organizations. Other highlights included multicultural dance troupes representing the diverse segments of our Canadian cultural heritage, the Vancouver Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team, marching bands and various community groups.

The parade boasted over sixty entries, bringing over 3,000 participants from various communities and cultural groups. It is not surprising that the parade draws over 50,000 spectators along the route each year plus many more that will see it through TV coverage.

Zhanlun Zhu , Chairman of Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver concluded , 2013 Chinatown Spring Festival Parade had the the largest number participants for the first time during the past four decades, it had been a cruise event on an unprecedented scale, with more than 70 marching teams, achieving a great success.

LiuFei , Consul General of Consulate- General of The People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, extended a warm greeting on the 40th Chinatown parade as a complete success, and hoped Sino-Canadian bilateral relations could be strengthened for a better prospect through joint efforts made by Chinese communities.

Prime minister Harper stated in his congratulating letter that in the year of snake, the first pandas from China would settle in Toronto for 5 years and another 5 years in Calgary, symbolizing a good will and sound friendship for both countries.

Representative for BC premier mentioned that the 1st BC family day on Feb 11,2013 coincidentally complying with ” Vancouver Chinese Festival Week” indicated a double blessing for both Chinese and other Canadians.

Chairman David Teng, as an invited honorable guest, came on stage to express best wishes to all the guests present there and then lit firecrackers to celebrate this wonderful time.

In the meawhile, David Teng and CCCICA were awarded the Medal of Honor Certificate thanks to the strong support and dedication given by CCCICA for this celebration and community activities.