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MANILA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Friday distributed Spring Festival kits to overseas Chinese here in Manila on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
During the distribution ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian first expressed gratitude to overseas Chinese citizens and Filipino Chinese who have made a contribution to fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic both in the Philippines and China in the year 2020.
Huang said that the Chinese Spring Festival is an event for a family get-together. But, in answer to the call of "essential and emergency travel only" amid the pandemic, many overseas Chinese are deciding to stay put for this festival.
"The welfare of overseas Chinese citizens is always close to the heart of the Chinese government. By distributing the Spring Festival kits, the Chinese embassy wishes to bring festivity to all overseas Chinese," Huang added.
The kits contain personal protective equipment like face masks and face shields, as well as Chinese handicrafts that send delightful Chinese New Year wishes.
"By receiving the kits, I can feel the care and wishes from the motherland," Luo Jiayi, a student from of the Lyceum of the Philippines University told Xinhua.
Luo, a student representative to receive the kit, said she will convey the cordial wishes from the embassy to her Chinese school mates. "I believe all the Chinese students won't feel lonely during this Spring Festival because we know the care and love from the motherland is never far away," she added.
"As the Spring Festival is around the corner and this festival is the time of reunion, we wish the Chinese nationals a safe, healthy and happy Chinese New Year in the Philippines," Huang told Xinhua after the ceremony.
Besides the Chinese students, the Chinese embassy will also give the Spring Festival kits to the staff of the Chinese enterprises, media groups and some other overseas Chinese. Enditem