GENEVA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- "Happy the Year of the Rooster!" a Swiss bodyguard greeted a Chinese reporter in Chinese at the Palace of Nations, as the holiday atmosphere of China's Spring Festival has been infiltrating the central European country.
At the largest Swiss army knife store in Geneva, a limited edition of a army knife inlaid with a gilded rooster is on hot sale. The rooster is raising its head and crowing, with full of energy.
The salesman told us that this edition of army knives is named "city hunter," and is designed and made specifically to welcome China's Year of the Rooster, which falls on 2017.
"Rooster resembles opportunity and success, which is exactly what the fast-growing China is going to bring us," the salesman said.
World-renowned Swiss watch brands also launched their souvenir editions of rooster watches. On one rooster-relief diamond wristwatch, craftsmen hand-draw the colorful feathers of the rooster, making the lively bird shinning as brightly as the diamonds.
On another top-brand watch, the craftsmen use China's kirigami, cut paper into the shape of a rooster and put it into the Chinese Zodiac watch.
Beside Lake Geneva, dozens of Chinese in bright Kungfu clothes are performing Tai Ji, attracting many Swiss people to watch and learn.
A Chinese lady told us that during the Spring Festival week, local Chinese plan to hold all kinds of celebrations including dragon and lion dance, a traditional Chinese music festival, martial arts performance, and Beijing opera performance.
While many parts of the world are celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, which began on Feb. 28, a Chinese new year reception hosted by Ma Zhaoxu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, has attracted more than 200 Chinese employees and overseas Chinese.
Many people resonated with the speech given by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, who said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Switzerland in January, which happened at a time when the world is faced with multiple difficulties and challenges, sufficiently proved that China is a big country that delivers on commitments.
"It makes every Chinese feel proud," Chan said.
