On Dec. 31, 2021, after an absence of one year, the annual in-person New Year’s Eve count down event in New York’s Times Square returned and Henan, China was there to dazzle.

Millions tuned in to the celebration in Times Square to witness the most majestic display of culture from Henan on the main countdown stage. Special guests including Huang, Ping, Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York and representatives from New York State Governor’s Office, New York City Mayor’s Office, Sino-American Friendship Association and Henan American Association U.S.A. attended this year’s celebration. NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and US Congresswoman Grace Meng sent congratulate letters to Henan’s participation in the countdown opening ceremony.

Special guests on the Countdown opening stage wishing everyone happy New Year! (From left) Ji Cheng Wang - President of Henan American Association U.S.A., Elaine Fan - special representative of the New York State Governor, Director of Asian American Affairs of the New York State Governor’s Office, Huang, Ping - Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, Anne de Castillo - special representative of the New York City Mayor, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Peter Zhang – President of the Sino-American Friendship Association, Li Li – Executive Vice President of the Sino-American Friendship Association

Consul General Huang, Ping noted in his speech, that he sincerely invites the world to visit China and enjoy the splendid landscapes and rich culture.

Huang, Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York addressing the crowd

Mr. Liang Jieyi, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Henan Province of China, delivered a video remark as he told the crowd: “Henan is the cradle of China, boasting long history and spectacular culture. Henan in the new era is an epitome of China's successful reform and opening up. Henan would be more closely connected with the world, thus achieving mutual benefit and win-win results at higher levels.”

Director Liang, jieyi delivering a New Year's greeting from Henan to the billions of viewers on site and in front of the TV by video

Director Liang briefly introducing Henan through video

For six dazzling minutes, Henan brought traditional Chinese culture alive with flowing moves of Taijiquan blending firmness with softness, the magnificence of Shaolin Kung Fu and the charm of the fan dance featuring an East-meets-West theme.

Henan’s unique cultural and artistic performance: Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Shaolin Kungfu

A perfect presenting: combination of East-meets-West "Fan Dance" and Henan characteristics martial arts

After the Opening celebration, Consul General Huang, Ping presenting special gifts from Henan to Times Square New Year's Countdown Organizing Committee

Consul General Huang, Ping being interviewed and introducing Henan

Special representative of the New York State Governor Elaine Fan being interviewed

Group photo of guests and performers

As the New Year count-down approached and the ball began being lowered, a unique video featuring the most magnificent views of Henan, Yellow River, the Songshan Mountain, Yin Xu and Longmen Grottoes took over the massive LED screens inside Times Square to ring in 2022 with a bang.

During the Henan Opening performance, the giant LED above Disney Store (1540 Broadway) playing video featuring Henan

Video featuring Henan playing on giant LEDs all around the Times Square

So thrilled were many by the addition of Henan to this year’s New Year’s Eve Times Square live return, that many in the crowd expressed interest in visiting Henan as they joined in to shout Happy New Year in Chinese with cheers.

Henan presented nearly 10,000 red scarves with "Happy New Year 2022 New York, Henan, China" to the Times Square audience

Red scarves bring warmth to the audiences

Shouting Happy New Year!

Henan also recently hosted a tourism promotion event in New York to showcase its abundant cultural resources shortly before the celebration.

“Henan, The Cradle of China” tourism presentation

Media at the Henan Tourism presentation

“2022 Marks the 10th celebration of Chinese culture with American traditions on New Year’s Eve and it’s truly an eastern culture meets western entertainment,” said Peter Zhang, president of the Sino-American Friendship Association.

The history of New Year’s Eve countdown at Times Square is over 100 years with an average amount of over 1 million revelers and billions of others watching virtually across the globe.