Tallinn, 20 Feb-'The Happy Chinese New Year Gala' is held at the Song Festival Ground in the Estonian capital Tallinn. The Mayor of Tallinn Mr. Edgar Savisaar, the Chinese Ambassador to Estonia Mr. Qu Zhe and the Director General of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture Mr. Chen Dong grace the opening ceremony. It is the sixth year the gala has been held in Estonia. The event is co-hosted by the Tallinn City Government, Beiing Muinicipa Government and the Chinese Embassy in Estonia. In spite of cold weather and rain, thousands of Estonians participate in the event and celebrate Chinese New Year.

In his opening remarks, the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Qu Zhe briefly introduces the traditions of Chinese New Year and expresses his best wishes to citizens in Tallinn. He commends the sound cooperation between Tallinn and Beijing, and hopes both sides develop further cooperation in other areas. Mr. Savisaar, on behalf of the Tallinn City Government, extends his warm welcome to the Chinese artists and expresses satisfaction on relations between the two countries' capitals. He says he is optimistic that both cities will develop stronger relations as both have rich culture and long history. Mr. Chen Dong, on his part, extends his best regards to the citizens of Tallinn on the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year of Goat.

During the gala, artists from Beijing present a wonderful performance, including traditional Chinese dances, acrobatics, martial arts, and folk music. Besides, the cultural group also demonstrate the intangible Chinese cultural heritage at the Song Festival Ground. The Terra Cotta Warriors Lantern Show is also open to the public at the Freedom Square. Moreover, as Beijing is the candidate city for Winter Olympic 2022, a photo exhibition on Beijing is also held in the Old Town of Tallinn.