Dong Xiaojun, the Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay, and Maria Julia Munoz, Uruguay's Minister of Education and Culture, pose for a group photo with artists. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

An art troupe from Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, staged a gala to celebrate the 2018 Chinese Lunar New Year in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, on Feb 3. This is the first stop in its tour of South America during the Chinese New Year.

The gala, held at the Sodre Auditorium (Auditorio del Sodre), featured traditional Chinese dances, songs, magic tricks, and acrobatics, and attracted more than 2,000 people.

As 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay, participants also include Dong Xiaojun, the Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay, José Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, and other Chinese diplomats in Uruguay.

Maria Julia Munoz, Uruguay's Minister of Education and Culture, said she enjoyed the show and expressed her gratitude to the Chinese artists.

"I am so excited that an art troupe from my homeland came here to give such wonderful performances and celebrate the Chinese New Year with us," said an overseas Chinese who has resided in Montevideo for years.

After the performance, the troupe will continue to tour the country and participate in many other celebrations until Feb 14. They will also perform in the 2018 Happy Chinese New Year fair in Argentina.

A traditional Chinese dance performance. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]