CGTN's Guo Tianqi visited a cross-cultural family in Beijing to see how the delicious delicacies of China and France complement each other on a Chinese New Year dining table.
Having a reunion dinner at home is one of the most cherished traditions for Chinese people during the Chinese New Year. Beijinger Xin and her husband Tristan, who is from France, are hosting a family banquet to entertain their relatives and friends.
Tristan has been living in China for over a decade, and he knows where to find the most authentic ingredients.
GUO TIANQI CGTN "Even if you want to make some French dishes, can you find all the ingredients here?"
TRISTAN MAYER Xin's Husband "Yes, usually you can, absolutely. This place is really nice and diverse. When you make food from Europe or something like that, you might need some powder or sauce, and usually, they have it here."
A New Year's feast takes a long time to prepare. Xin's aunt is the chef tonight. Just like many Chinese elders, she enjoys cooking for her family.
FAN YUPING Xin's Aunt "I truly feel happy when cooking for my family. I'll be even more delighted when they enjoy the food and finish it all."
The cooking process of Chinese cuisine is relatively complex. When the whole family divides tasks and cooks together, it's also an opportunity to express care and love for one another.
LI XIN "I think making dumplings together really gives you the feeling of the New Year. Look, it's so lively. Some are rolling out the dumpling wrappers, and some are making dumplings. It's all about family reunion."
LI XIN "Today's menu combines Chinese and French cuisines. My family also loves French cuisine. It's relatively light and refreshing, and it goes really well with meat dishes."
GUO TIANQI CGTN "For you, what's the essence of the Chinese New Year?"
TRISTAN MAYER Xin's Husband "Having a good time with family. You know, I've been in China for so many years, and yeah, this is my home. We are a mixed family, so we have both the French way and the Chinese way of expressing love. It doesn't matter if it's slightly different, the way you do it, it's still the same kind of love, you know? An attachment to family, the same feelings."
At the New Year's banquet, meatballs carry the meaning of reunion, dumplings imply bringing in wealth and treasure, and New Year cakes symbolize progress in the coming year. These beautiful wishes are shared all over the world.
Guo Tianqi, CGTN, Beijing.