CHICAGO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The NBA Chicago Bulls basketball team Wednesday night celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, to mark the 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.
Traditional dragon and folk dances were performed by Chicago Huaxin Arts Group during halftime, and a Chinese Kong-fu show was also staged during the cultural presentation.
On the big screen overhead, it read "Chinese New Year Celebration", "40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations".
Liu Jun, acting Consul General of China in Chicago attended the event, and said the Chinese drum show and dragon dance showed Chinese culture to so many NBA fans here in the United Center.
"It is the second China Night event in the NBA game this year after Detroit, and it helps further promote culture exchanges and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between China and the United States," Liu told Xinhua during the event.
The Chicago Bulls Chinese New Year celebration is part of an NBA league-wide initiative to pay tribute to its biggest international fan base.
NBA clubs have been celebrating Chinese New Year since January 30 with a record 15 league teams hosting in-arena activities.
