Chinese New Year Entrepreneur Association Dinner
Chinese business people rang in the Chinese New Year with a networking dinner to that looked towarded the Year of the Tiger for success and prosperity.
Year of the Tiger
The Chinese community in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area celebrated Chinese New Year on 16 February with a networking dinner in Sea Palace (Europe’s first floating Chinese restaurant) in downtown Amsterdam.
The 70 members and their guests were invited by the organisation to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger’s motto is "I win" which is promising for this upcoming year.
Tradition
"Tradition is very important to us", comments the chairman of the association Mr. Fung.
"We are more than just an association of Chinese entrepreneurs. We play a central, intermediary role in the community where business and family life are interconnected".
Traditionally, Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese lunar calendar. People take time off work to visit family, explaining too, why some of the entrepreneurs brought their family to this networking dinner. On the menu were several dishes that bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. Spring rolls for example, because they resemble bars of gold.
Establishing and maintaining relationships
In order to make the Year of the Tiger even more successful in terms of business, members of the association could network with each other and with contacts that were invited to the dinner. The association stresses the importance of establishing and maintaining a good and friendly relationship with business partners.
Good luck
For some, the year started with a lot of good luck as a lottery was organised after the dinner. People could win laptops and Mrs. Lilian Truideman won the main prize, a trip to China.
History of Chinese community in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has had a relatively large Chinese community for years. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Amsterdam in 1911. Soon more Chinese traders came and set up small businesses like restaurants and shops. In 2000 Queen Beatrix opened the first Buddhist temple in Western Europe in Amsterdam. The Fo Kuang Shan Temple, which can be found in the heart of Amsterdam Chinatown on the Zeedijk.
Related topics
- Tell a friend
