Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, delivers a toast during the embassy's Chinese New Year reception in London on Tuesday. [XING YI / CHINA DAILY]

The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom hosted a reception on Tuesday in London to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

During the event, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang addressed overseas Chinese representatives, emphasizing the importance of their role as bridges between China and the UK.

Zheng highlighted significant achievements in the bilateral relationship, including trade volume exceeding $100 billion in the past two years, more than 200,000 Chinese students studying in the UK, and ongoing efforts by Chinese companies to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

He reaffirmed China's clear and consistent policies toward the UK, emphasizing the principles of dialogue and cooperation. He stressed the importance of enhancing exchanges, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the peoples of China and Britain.

Zheng expressed gratitude for the broad participation and vigorous support of overseas Chinese, acknowledging their crucial role as promoters of Chinese culture and facilitators of people-to-people friendship, and extended warm wishes for health and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon.

Representatives of overseas Chinese join the celebration of the Chinese New Year held by the Chinese Embassy to the UK in London on Tuesday. [Yang Chunya / China Daily]