Lang Ping celebrates Year of Dog with fans at Times Square

World
Europe

With Chinese Lunar New Year three weeks away, Lang Ping, Chinese women's volleyball national head coach, celebrated the holiday with local fans at the Times Square in New York City.

Lang, who monitored the US women's team during 2005-08, said at the event on late Thursday, "I wished happy reunions of all families during the Chinese New Year. Best wish to all friends and families for a happy 2018."

Accompanied by her daughter Lydia Bai, Lang shared their family stories with more than 100 guests and fans. Two other pairs of parent-and-child also moved the audience with their heartfelt communication and expression of love.

Lang Ping speaks with journalists at an event. /VCG Photo

Different from the common mother-daughter model, Lydia Bai is the one who supports her mom, rather than being supported. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Lydia flew all the way from California to Brazil to cheer for her mother.

Recalling how Lydia sneaked Chinese food into the Olympic village, Lang said Lydia is more like her portable charger.

"Family is the foundation of society," said Miguel Patricio, Chief Marketing Officer of Budweiser's parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev, in the opening speech.

File Photo of Lang Ping interacting with fans /VCG Photo

Zhang Qiyue, Chinese Consul General in New York, said Chinese New Year is a New York holiday now as Governor Andrew Cuomo declared it as a holiday in all public schools three years ago.

Strong social support has been an indispensable ingredient for China's growth, Zhang said. China won't be modernized without individuals having a quality life, social welfare, and clean environment.

The 2018 Chinese New Year Day is on February 16. The Year of the Dog is the 11th among 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac.

11001km

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency