SIBU: Sarawak Central Chiang Hsia Huang Clan Association (SCCHHCA) held a sumptuous Chinese New Year celebration dinner at its premises in Tong Sang Road here on Friday night.
The auspicious occasion attended by about 500 clan members was graced by Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek as the guest of honour.
In his welcoming speech, organising chairman, Wong Pak Soon pointed out that the growth and achievements of the guild over the years have not been easy to come by.
In addition to the hard work of the predecessors, he stated that he was also grateful to the relatives for their support, and the guild is in the good situation it is today.
He thanked the executive committee for sponsoring the event which made it efficient and colourful.
‘The Lunar New Year is an important traditional festival for our Chinese people and a good day for reunion. This fine Chinese culture is something we actively maintain and pass on so that the next generation can understand the importance of reunion.
“The clan members are usually busy with their own careers and families, and rarely have the opportunity to get together. As such through this event, we can gather together to celebrate, communicate with each other and connect with each other’s fraternity.
“We will continue to serve the association and uphold the spirit of peace as the most important thing to ensure a better future ahead” he said.
SCCHHCA deputy chairman, Wong Siong Boon who also spoke, said the celebration of the lunar new year – the largest festival of the Chinese nation’s thousands of years of traditional culture is very significant as a good day to welcome the new and send off the old and to reunite with the family.
He highlighted that when all the family members go home, reunite and have a family dinner, the feelings and cohesion of the family will become stronger and stronger, promoting the unity of the family.
Under the big family of the guild, he pointed out the feelings of clanship and unity among the clansmen is promoted.
“The dragon in the lunar year is a spiritual creature in ancient Chinese mythology, symbolising justice, luck, prosperity and authority,” he further said.
Apart from entertainment programmes such as singing of the New Year song and cultural dance performance, angpows were also given out to children, aged 12 and below.
