26th Day of January 2012 was celebrated with a unique concept of Republic Day Of India and Chinese New Year – 2012 together to strengthen India-China relations by India China Economic & Cultural Council (ICEC), Gujarat in close co operation with Culture department of Embassy of China in India & CCTV of China.

The Chief Minister of Gujarat - Mr. Narendra Modi, wished “Happy Chinese New Year -2012” to Chinese people by sending his video massage during the celebrations.

The celebrations were inaugurated with cake cutting by Mr. Zhang Zhihong- Cultural counselor from Embassy of China, Ms. Fang Wen - the cultural officer of Embassy of China, Mr. Bakul Bakshi Retd Chief Commissioner Customs & Central Excise & and Mr.Jagat Shah - Chairman ICEC, Gujarat which was converted into an exciting & happening Indo-china cultural awareness event.

Karnavati club was selected as venue where Beijing opera photo exhibition was on display, authentic Chinese food festival was celebrated ( food prepared by Chinese cook ), Quiz on India & China with attractive prizes, trade & culture information, kite festival and demo of Chinese language learning was held. Visitors came from all over Gujarat - Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Rajkot, Junagadh, Bhuj & Jamnagar. Several Government of Gujarat officials also attended the celebrations. Visitors were greeted with a red welcome scarf, which is a Chinese traditional form of welcome. All visitors were given a red envelope with a gift as part of Chinese new year culture & were given a gift of "laughing Budha" for good luck & good fortune.    

More than 400 visitors enjoyed and were educated on the many similarities in Indian & China culture. Visitors got the chance to know more about China through quiz zone where people of Gujarat surprised Chinese embassy team by showing their sharp knowledge about China and won all prizes. “We are supposed to find more difficult questions for Gujarati brains” said by Mr.Zhang Zhihong- Cultural counselor, Embassy of China.

Several Chinese visitors & exchange students from China in Gujarat also attended the celebrations & they participated in Quiz on Republic day of India. They won several prizes too. 

Lion dance & dragon dance was shown in films. A film festival of China was also organised where two popular Chinese films were shown - Lets fall in love & Forever enthralled.

Several theme songs for the occasion & films were played & sung by visitors on :

Sare Jahan se achha , Chinese Lion dance, Mile sur mera tumhara, Chinese new year song,  Aye mere watan ke logon, Chinese Dragon dance, Vande mataram, Chinese tiger dance, Apni azaadi ko hum hargiz bhula sakte nahi…..

Teaching sessions were organised to teach : How to use chopsticks for eating, Traditional Chinese tea making  ,How to cook authentic Chinese haka noodles etc.

As part of the celebrations, over a period of three days, the Chinese delegation visited Adalaj step wells, sardar patel memorial, Akshardham temple, Sarkhej Roza, Jhulta minar, Sidi saiyed ni jali, hutheesing jain temple & Sabarmati ashram. They had an interesting exchange of discussions on Indian & Chinese culture with the students of liberal studies from PDP university. They were impressed by the questions asked by PDP university students. They appreciated the rich cultural heritage of Ahmedabad & Gujarat.

Ms.Fang Wen – Cultural officer,  China showed her interest to organise Beijing opera shows, lion dances & dragon dances during Diwali 2012 as well as during Vibrant Gujarat in January 2013 after receiving very warm & enthusiastic response from visitors.

Mr.Zhang Zhihong- Cultural counselor, Embassy of China expressed his interest in facilitating the sports trainers for the sports university idea of Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi. 

The entire celebrations were covered by CCTV, the national electronic media of China.