SYDNEY, Feb. 7 (People's Daily Online) -- To celebrate the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of monkey，2016 Happy Chinese New Year----Shaanxi Culture Market opened in Sydney on Feb 6.

The event is hosted by Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture, and organized by Ausfeng Group and Shaanxi Jintang Culture and Media Corporation.

Mr. Zhao Xiaoqiang, Deputy Director of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture, Mr. Zhai Deyu, Cultural Counsellor of General Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, and Mr. Robert Feng, CEO of Ausfeng Group joined the opening ceremony.

The Shaanxi Culture Market begins from Feb 6 and will end on Feb 10 in Sydney's CBD. During the time, citizens and tourists can enjoy Chinese singing, dances, music, puppetry and shadow puppetry, calligraphy, Chinese painting, food, the art of tea, paper cut, ladle mask, embroidery, etc.

Zhao Xiaoqiang said, "The purpose of the culture market is to extend best wishes of the year of monkey, and enhance the friendship between Chinese and Australian people. Culture market is the Chinese tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.

"This year is the third consecutive year that Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture host big culture events in collaboration with City of Sydney celebrating Chinese lunar new year. The Department will continue to be ambassador of culture and friendship exhibiting the Chinese culture and promoting the better relationship between China and Australia."