A gala celebrating Chinese New Year took place in the Mediterranean Room of the Hôtel Méridien Beach Plaza on Wednesday 11 February in the evening. Chinese New Year officially begins on 17 February 2026, and this year will be represented by the Fire Horse, a powerful symbol of passion, change, and transformation.
The gala was hailed as “a festive and elegant way to celebrate the Chinese New Year while strengthening the ties between Monaco and China,” according to a recent press release by Monaco Dragon Prestige, one of the event’s organizers.
Xiaoqin Wang, President of the Monaco-China Association and Founder of Monaco Dragon Prestige, opened the evening by welcoming the guests and thanking the partners, which included the Embassy of Monaco in China. Marie-Pascale Boisson, Ambassador of Monaco to China, spoke about the strength of the relations between Monaco and China, calling it “a successful example of friendly exchanges between a small and a large country.”
The one hundred guests included Monegasque and Chinese dignitaries. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Julie Donati, Advisor to the Cabinet of HSH the Prince, and Guillaume Rose, Executive Director General of Monaco Economic Board were in attendance, among other officials.
A four-course dinner, specially created by chef Laurent Colin, highlighted authentic flavours of Asian cuisine and was accompanied by “Wuliangye” a traditional Chinese rice wine. Entertainment and activities showcased Chinese culture throughout the evening and included a lion dance, a Chinese calligraphy demonstration, Chinese riddles, and traditional music with a guzheng concert.
Performances by Monaco’s students
Guests also enjoyed a Tai Chi demonstration by Chinese language students from Collège Charles III, as well as a “fan-blowing” dance and a choir performance by students from Lycée Albert 1er. Later in the evening, live drawings by the artist FABEN took place as well as a fashion show featuring creations from AMC Haute Couture Monaco, before a DJ took over to keep the guests dancing.
30th Anniversary of Monaco and China relations
The event also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of official relations between Monaco and China by reviewing Monaco’s significant events in China. He Youlin, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Marseille, represented Deng Li, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to France and Monaco by expressing his desire to “continuously strengthen bilateral relations”. Expectations and future projects were also highlighted.
According to the gala’s organizers, “the event blended culture and gastronomy in an elegant and refined atmosphere. A magnificent evening that concluded smoothly, with all the guests leaving with numerous gifts as souvenirs.”
