Tianjin hosted the 2025 New Year's Reception on Jan 10 to express gratitude to experts in various sectors for their contributions to the city's economic and social development.

Sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government and Tianjin People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the event was attended by more than 180 Chinese and foreign representatives.

At the opening ceremony, Akira Umesawa, chief representative of the liaison office for Kobe to Tianjin Trade and Economic Exchanges, highlighted the significance of the gathering as an opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year with friends from around the world and to strengthen mutual bonds.

He noted that this year marks the 51st anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Tianjin and Kobe, emphasizing plans for deeper cooperation across various fields to enhance their partnership.

Christoph Schrempp, chair of the European Chamber Tianjin Chapter and general manager of the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Center, expressed his appreciation for the invitation.

Schrempp, whose wife is a Tianjin local, shared his affection for Chinese New Year traditions, which provide him with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of China's rich culture and development.

He affirmed the chamber's commitment to fostering trade and economic ties between Tianjin and the European Union while acting as a cultural bridge between East and West.

The reception featured captivating performances, including Peking opera, traditional Chinese music, dance, and choir pieces, creating a vibrant cultural showcase. Live demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage crafts such as Yangliuqing woodblock prints, Kite Wei (traditional kites) and the jianbing guozi (a kind of stuffed pancake) proved popular.

The reception was supported by Yakult, Aogya Pharmacy, Haier Casarte Washing Machine and Yadong International Logistics Group, reflecting the strong collaboration between the businesses and the community.