The New York-based Nasdaq stock exchange marked the Chinese Lunar New Year on Friday with a special bell ringing ceremony to kick off the day's trading. [Special coverage]
Zhang Qiyue, Chinese Consul General in New York, rang the opening bell on the first day of the year of the Dog.
In a short address before the opening bell, Zhang summarized the achievements China made in 2017 and gave a bright outlook for 2018.
"The year 2017 was a landmark year for China," said Zhang, who explained that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in October "mapped out the blueprint for China's development in the coming 30 years, opening up a new era for China's development and modernization."
She said in this new era, China will open its door even wider and offer more opportunities to the United States and to the world.
Zhang said recent years the world has seen greater economic cooperation between China and the United States, stressing that China-U.S. economic and commercial cooperation is mutually beneficial and the potential is yet to be explored.
She appealed to the people of the two countries to work together to build a strong partnership, and contribute to world peace and development.
Bob McCooey, Senior Vice President of Listings Service at Nasdaq said celebration of the Lunar New Year is an important event for the stock exchange, especially as the stock exchange is located at Times Square, the crossroads of the world.
"As of today, we have over 110 companies from China who call Nasdaq home. All of the Nasdaq-listed Chinese companies' accomplishments are very significant on a global basis," said McCooey.
He added that the innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit both U.S. and Chinese companies display will continue to help "our two nations grow individually and together."
The stock exchange put up pictures of dogs and the phrase "Happy Chinese New Year" on its large digital screens at the Times Square of the New York City in celebration of the Lunar New Year on Friday.
