Hampshire Chinese Association Launch Celebrated at Southampton Mayor’s Parlour

The Hampshire Chinese Association officially marked its opening this week with a landmark celebration held at the Mayor’s Parlour in Southampton, bringing together civic leaders, universities, faith groups, businesses, and communities from across Hampshire.

The evening began with a champagne reception followed by a series of inspiring speeches celebrating cultural unity and friendship. Guests were treated to a traditional Chinese tea ceremony led by a renowned Qigong Master Defeng Chen from China, offering a moment of reflection and cultural insight.

The highlight of the evening was the ceremonial ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor James Bailey, who also took part in a vibrant Chinese drumming demonstration. The celebrations continued with a traditional lion dance accompanied by live music, filling the Mayor’s Parlour with colour, rhythm, and excitement.

The event was attended by representatives from Winchester University and the University of Portsmouth, alongside the Mayors of Eastleigh and Winchester, and many respected interfaith leaders. The evening also welcomed numerous Hampshire- and Southampton-based Chinese businesses, many of whom generously came forward to support and donate to the charity.

Mr Yanmin Chen, Chair of the Hampshire Chinese Association, said:

“This was a wonderful day that brought Chinese communities together to share and promote our culture. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to hosting many more events and activities across Hampshire in the future.”

Martine Niven, Secretary and one of the Founders of the Hampshire Chinese Association, added:

“It was truly wonderful to see so many communities coming together. This is the first time in history that such a celebration and gathering has taken place in the Mayor’s Parlour. I believe this marks the beginning of a strong and lasting friendship between Southampton, China, and the Chinese communities across our region.”

The Hampshire Chinese Association is now looking ahead to upcoming celebrations, including Chinese New Year on 28 February, Year of the Fire Horse at The Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton, where the Association will bring the festivities to the heart of the city. Celebrations will also take place in Winchester, and Portsmouth , marking the city’s first unified Chinese New Year celebration of its kind.

In addition, there are growing rumours of a Major Chinese Cultural Celebration planned for the summer, promising to be one of the largest events of its kind in the region. Further details will be announced soon.

Date: Tuesday 20th January 2026