An Ethiopian dressed up as the Chinese God of Wealth (R front) hands out gifts for Chinese passengers during the special event held at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 20, 2017. The Ethiopian Airlines has held a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. This year's event, the third of its kind held late Friday at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, marked many activities to make the airport's Chinese travelers feel at home. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Airlines has held a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival.

This year's event, the third of its kind held late Friday at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, marked many activities to make the airport's Chinese travelers feel at home.

A Chinese passenger gives the thumb-up for the special event held at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 20, 2017. The Ethiopian Airlines has held a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. This year's event, the third of its kind held late Friday at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, marked many activities to make the airport's Chinese travelers feel at home. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Chinese traveling back home for the Spring Festival from Ethiopia and other African countries enjoyed traditional Chinese food such as dumplings.

According to the organizers, this is to showcase Addis Ababa's being the most Chinese-friendly transit hub as well as to showcase Ethiopian airlines being the most Chinese friendly airline in Africa.

"They are very happy to see this. They will feel as if they are living in their home country while transiting for home," a public relations expert at the Ethiopian Airlines said.

Photo taken on Jan. 20, 2017 shows the dumplings served during the special event held at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Airlines has held a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. This year's event, the third of its kind held late Friday at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, marked many activities to make the airport's Chinese travelers feel at home. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Hao Yi, a passenger from Kinshasa on transit to China in Addis Ababa, also expressed her contentment about the event.

"Very nice, it's very good for Chinese people. I felt at home with the celebrations here at the airport," said Hao.

Jing Chaodou, another Chinese passenger from Dubai to Cairo said it was a surprise for him to experience such warm celebrations at the airport.

"It's a surprise for me. I didn't expect this. I feel very blessed to be a Chinese here, to express my culture to people around the world and people in Africa," said Jing.

Photo taken on Jan. 20, 2017 shows the dumplings served during the special event held at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Airlines has held a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. This year's event, the third of its kind held late Friday at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, marked many activities to make the airport's Chinese travelers feel at home. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

The Ethiopian Airlines serves the Chinese passengers with Chinese cabin crew, Chinese food, and Chinese help-desk, among others.