Mayor Brian Tierney sends New Year greetings to Derry Chinese community and the city's friends in Dalian

He said: "Today marks Chinese New Year and as Mayor I would like to wish everyone within our local community and further afield a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year."

As well has having a vibrant and long-standing Chinese-Irish community, Derry also enjoys fraternal ties and a working relationship with the city of Dalian, a finance hub with a population of over 6.5million. This was alluded to by the Mayor.

"As a Council we have a close relationship with China and indeed we have welcomed many delegations and guests to our city and district, as well as representatives from our own Council also travelling to China.

"Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival is something that is centuries old and steeped in tradition and culture," he said.

Key partnership between Derry & Strabane and Chinese City of Dalian

Mayor Tierney acknowledged the celebrations cannot be quite the same this year due to the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, like many important occasions over the past 11 months, families will not be able to celebrate this year in the way that they typically would. Online celebrations have become more of the norm, but I hope that everyone is still able to enjoy this important day with their nearest and dearest.

"I think it's quite fitting that today we are now moving into the Year of the Ox, representing positivity, strength and hard work. I feel that these qualities represent all of us at the present time as we navigate the challenges presented by coronavirus and look forward with hope for the months ahead."

Derry forges closer fraternal ties with Dalian