'I Love You China' flash mobs celebrate New Year

Video by Liu Xudong

Two flash mobs brightened up Qianhai Stone Park and OH Bay yesterday morning, sending festive greetings and blessings to the crowds on site and expressing best wishes for a brighter future for the motherland.

To celebrate the start of 2024 and welcome the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, five cities in Guangdong Province — Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Zhanjiang — held “I Love You China” flash mobs on New Year’s Day.

A flash mob attracts a large crowd at OH Bay in Bao’an District yesterday morning. Liu Xudong

Singing and dancing to the famous Chinese song “I Love You China,” the Shenzhen flash mobs consisted of participants from all walks of life, including Hong Kong entrepreneurs and expats living and working in Shenzhen.

In addition to solo, ensemble, choir, violin, and cello, the flash mobs also featured traditional Chinese culture such as Cantonese opera and lion dance. Chang Hongji and Wang Yuanlin, two leading actors of Shenzhen dance drama “Wing Chun,” wowed the crowds with a wonderful performance at the OH Bay flash mob.

Flash mob performers chat at OH Bay yesterday morning. Liu Xudong

Tang Jiajun, executive director of the Qianhai Stone Park flash mob, told Shenzhen Daily that holding a flash mob at the park is very meaningful because the park is an important landmark that witnesses the history of deepening reform and opening up, and also a popular place for local residents.

“We hope the flash mob, with all actors presenting the most natural and delightful scenes, can strike a chord with more citizens,” Tang said.

Performers sing at Qianhai Stone Park yesterday morning. Lin Songtao

Tang Kiu-chor, a Hong Kong entrepreneur who started a business in Qianhai not long ago, said he was very happy and honored to participate in the flash mob. “Welcoming 2024, I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.”

Tang said Shenzhen is a very open and inclusive city, and he has been deeply impressed that every person who comes to Shenzhen strives to achieve their dreams.

A performer plays the violin at Qianhai Stone Park yesterday morning. Lin Songtao

“This will be a fantastic performance. I am thrilled to sing together with many talented Chinese singers. There are some opera singers who sing so beautifully,” Ukrainian singer Anna Chaika said before the flash mob at OH Bay.

Chaika, who has been living in China for five years, shared her New Year’s resolution. “I wish to travel more and see more beautiful places in China. China is so beautiful with so different views.”

Ma Teng, a performer at the OH Bay flash mob and a tenor from Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theater, said the flash mob was very down-to-earth. “It’s my honor to celebrate the New Year with fellow citizens in this way, especially as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.”

“As an artist, my hope is to create outstanding works of art for our motherland and for Shenzhen, and I wish a flourishing cultural landscape in the city,” Ma said.

People dance during the flash mob at Qianhai Stone Park yesterday morning. Lin Songtao

Zhang Yijun, a Xiashiwei Primary School student, is a member of a lion dance team performing at the OH Bay flash mob. After learning lion dance for about two to three months, Zhang saw the flash mob as a good opportunity to showcase the team’s skills and share traditional culture with the audience.

Looking ahead to the new year, Zhang said: “I hope to make progress in my studies. I wish for a year filled with success and joy, and wish to achieve full marks in all subjects.”