Indonesia Celebrates Chinese New Year in Harmony, Tolerance

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Chinese-Indonesians are celebrating Chinese New Year 2017 by promoting the values of tolerance and maintaining peace, among others.

Some people are celebrating the new year by visiting temples in several cities of Indonesia, Antara reported here on Saturday.

Several people in the Jayapura City of Papua Province also paid a visit to their colleagues celebrating Chinese New Year.

Some of the guests are local people visiting fellow Chinese-Indonesians.

The host will welcome the guests and offer them an array of culinary dishes.

According to Liem, a Chinese-Indonesian in Jayapura, his family served people specific food items, such as rendang, candies, and confectionery.

"We served them kosher foods, including rendang, rice cake soup, and tofu soup," Liem remarked.

Liem said his family also handed "ang pao," or envelope containing money, to children who visited their residence.

Moreover, Chinese-Indonesians in Padang City of West Sumatra Province also celebrated new year and prayed in solemn silence.

Several Chinese-Indonesians visited the See Hin Kiong temple in Padang City since Friday afternoon to offer prayers.

Deputy Chairman of the temple's management, Syamsi Koshasi, lauded people of other ethnicities who always maintain peace and secure the situation during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

"We hope Indonesia, especially Padang City, will always be safe and peaceful. We also hope for better economic conditions," Koshasi added.

Meanwhile, Adi Dharmaja Kusuma, a Chinese-Indonesian figure in Kuta of Bali Province, stated that all Indonesians should prioritize mutual respect and promote the values of tolerance.

The harmonious acculturation in Bali demonstrates the fact that tolerance is always maintained on Dewata Island, according to Kusuma.

"I believe the peaceful situation in Bali is due to its people's respect for each other in daily and religious life," Kusuma added.

He expressed hope that the Indonesian people would maintain peace and respect each other to preserve unity in Bali and Indonesia.

The symbol of Chinese New Year 2568 is a rooster that signifies humility, honesty, and courage. (WDY)