Chinese celebrate year of the chicken

In the mood for a celebration? No, not Valentine?s but an equally symbolic occasion, especially for those Belizeans of Chinese extraction. It?s the start of the Year of the Chicken, and as Chinese around the world prepare to ring in the New Year, President of the Belize Chinese Association Lee Mark Chang says this time around the local observance will be toned way down.

Lee Mark Chang, President, Belize Chinese Association
?Well not much is going on this year. Most of it is just family reunions. We decided to low key the Chinese New Year this year. We are not doing the usual dance that we go parading around with respect to the tsunami victims over in the Far East. But we are having like our own family gathering at home tonight. We?re having a dinner to celebrate.?

Patrick Jones
?This year you are celebrating the year of chicken, what is that all about??

Lee Mark Chang
?Well it?s a symbol, the Chinese zodiac goes by twelve different years and this year is the year of the chicken. And the chicken has its own characteristics if you are born in the year of the chicken.?

?I wish all the Chinese people a prosperous New Year, and hope that all the health is fine.?

Chang says the observation of the Chinese New Year will be marked by residents tracing their heritage from both the People?s Republic of China and Taiwan.