An event celebrating the Chinese New Year and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Croatia and China was held at the Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall in Zagreb on the 23rd of January.

On this occasion the Croatian president Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic emphasized that China's constructive role in the international community significantly contributed to the further development of relations between Croatia and China. She also expressed her hope that 2017, a year of the rooster, which symbolises enthusiasm, diligence, courage and confidence, would bring better answers to growing challenges in the modern world.

‘’May this Year of the Rooster bring new impetus to strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and closer ties between their citizens. I hope that that their cooperation will be even closer and more intensive in order to strengthen our partnership and raise it to a strategic level," said the Croatian president, wishing all those attending the event a happy New Year.

The Chinese ambassador in Croatia Deng Ying said that China considered its partnership and cooperation with Croatia very important and underlined the great potential for advancing the cooperation between the two countries.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year also included great performances by a theatre troupe from the Chinese city of Ningbo, as well as singers, dancers and acrobats.