BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 19, 2018– Over the weekend almost 7,000 members of the Chinese community in Belize celebrated the Chinese New Year.

In an exclusive interview with the Amandala, chairman of the Chinese Association, Edmund Kwan, explained that the Chinese have dubbed this year the Year of the Dog.

The dog occupies the eleventh position in the Chinese zodiac after the rooster and before the pig.

For those who were born in the year of the dog, this year is considered a very unlucky year for them.

In their careers it will be a challenge for them to get a promotion. In their love lives, dogs are not forecasted to flourish.

This year will be marked by accidents and injuries for dogs. They are advised to pay attention to their respiratory system.

According to Khan, celebrations kicked off at 9 a.m. on Saturday with the annual lion dance in Belize City.

He revealed that the dance procession went to 53 different Chinese business establishments, starting at “Uncle Shop” on North Front Street and finishing up at the Chon Saan Palace at 9 p.m.

The lion dance is a ritual to cast away evil spirits. Khan informed that the lion comes once a year to take away all “bad stuff” until the following year.

On Sunday, the Chinese community held a banquet at the Ramada Kings Room which saw a turnout of 750 guests which included the Governor General, members of Cabinet, members of the Opposition and other diplomats.

Khan told our newspaper that the event was a success and thanked all those who participated.