As the 2025 Chinese New Year arrived, festive red lanterns lit up La Sino Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines) in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A subsidiary of China Railway Resources Group Co., Ltd, Sicomines turned the holiday into a vibrant cross-cultural celebration, bringing together Chinese and Congolese employees in a shared festival of traditions.
In the lead-up to the Chinese New Year, the mining area was filled with holiday cheer as employees from both countries decorated the site with Spring Festival couplets, fu characters and strings of lights. Congolese staff eagerly joined the preparations, exchanging thoughts on the significance of the Chinese New Year.
On New Year’s Eve, the celebrations reached their peak at the company cafeteria, where Chinese chef Master Tang led a dumpling-making session. Demonstrating the precise technique of rolling dumpling wrappers, he guided local employees step by step.
“The center should be slightly thicker than the edges to keep the filling inside”, Tang explained. Under his instruction, the Congolese employees quickly mastered the skill, producing neatly pleated dumplings. That evening, these handmade dumplings became the highlight of the reunion dinner, symbolizing the deepening friendship between colleagues.
Beyond the company, Sicomines extended the festive warmth to the community, visiting the families of outstanding Congolese employees.
At the home of James, a dedicated employee, the company delivered essential supplies, school materials and New Year gifts. As they gathered to share stories and laughter, the visit echoed the cherished Chinese tradition of visiting relatives during the Spring Festival, reinforcing the bonds between cultures.
By celebrating Chinese New Year together, Sicomines not only brought holiday cheer to its team but also strengthened people-to-people connections, turning the festival into a bridge of friendship between China and Congo.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
