SDSU-IV celebrates Lunar Year with a keynote by Chinese association president

CALEXICO — As the Lunar New Year – formerly and more commonly known as “Chinese New Year” – was celebrated on January

22, the San Diego State University Imperial Valley Cross Cultural Center (SDSU-IV CCC) hosted an event with keynote speaker with Ramon Yee, president of Descendientes Chinos de Ultramar en Mexicali (Descendants of Overseas Chinese in Mexicali), on Monday, January 23, via webinar.

Yee said that Descendientes Chinos de Ultramar en Mexicali is a group that focuses on learning more about the history and identity of the regional Chinese community. He was named director of the association nearly four years ago.

“I believe this unites us as communities (through the forum),” Yee said. “This helps us with mutual understanding.”

During the webinar,

Yee expanded on the meaning of celebrating the Lunar New Year and traditions such as the Chinese Lion Dance.

“It is dedicated to learning about the Chinese Mexican community in Mexico and their traditions in celebrating Chinese New Year,” SDSU-IV CCC Director Vanessa Falcón, PhD, said.

“The reason we have these events are to amplify and highlight the communities of our region, to learn about our diversity here in the Valley,” Falcón said. “We want our students to see themselves represented in the speakers that we have.”

Yee said that according to the Chinese Zodiac, 2023 is the ‘Year of the Rabbit.’

“The qualities of this animal are its creativity, a character that knows how to face challenges and solve problems, and brings harmony,” Yee said. “The Chinese interpret this as a good year as the rabbit is considered as an animal of good luck.”

As the border community acknowledges the celebration of the Lunar New Year, Yee described the Chinese community as pioneers in Mexicali due to their cultural and economical contributions.

“The Chinese have a great respect for the City of Mexicali,” Yee said.

He said that in China, the City of Mexicali is known as “Little Canton,” as many Chinese immigrants who settled in Mexicali are native to the Cantonese area of China.

“I consider it very relevant that Chinese identify Mexicali for them as their second home,” Yee said.

“I believe it is the best representation; that the Chinese community in Mexicali lives in a prosperous way,” Yee said.

ELIZABETH MAYORAL CORPUS PHOTO Lion Dance attire from the traditional Chinese dance are displayed at the entrance of “La Chinesca,” Mexicali’s Chinatown, on Friday, January 20, in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.