Chinese Consul General in New York Zhang Qiyue and John Kessler, president and COO of the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. jointly turn on the lights. [Photo/China Daily]

The Empire State Building in New York City turned red and gold to celebrate the coming Chinese Spring Festival on Tuesday. The color lights would also shine on Thursday, which marks the Spring Festival Eve for the Chinese Year of the Dog.

It is for the 18th consecutive years that the landmark of Manhattan shines in honor of the Chinese festival.

Chinese Consul General in New York, Zhang Qiyue and John Kessler, president and COO of the Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. jointly launched the lighting ceremony, as well as a “Happy Chinese New Year” window exhibition.

The Empire State Building will shine on Thursday in the colors of red, gold, blue and white, each representing a Chinese celebrative theme of joy, prosperity, peace and good luck. It is also considered as a representation of the China-US friendship.

Lighting ceremony. [Photo/CGTN]

The event is part of the Chinese Ministry of Culture’s series of promotion activities of the Chinese Spring Festival overseas. In 2018, the “Happy Chinese New Year” have organized more than 1,000 events in over 400 cities across the world, including parades, performances, exhibitions and temple fairs.

The campaign has also invited more people to join in the Chinese celebrations and share their stories of the Spring Festival this year by launching interactive links, such as contests of photographs and videos about the festival.