Editor’s note: the GDToday team spent a day with several expats who are working and living in different cities of Guangdong and present how they are preparing for the Chinese New Year despite of the back-and-forth Covid-19 pandemic through the ‘My Chinese New Year Style’ series.

Uchechukwu Emmanuel (UC for short) is from Nigeria. He married Amy, a Guangzhou woman, in 2008, and has settled in the city since then. As the Chinese New Year approaches, UC and Amy are busy preparing for the festival as well as taking John and Precious, their 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, to swimming and piano winter classes.

To decorate their house and create the right atmosphere, they always go to local flower markets for flowers and Huichun, to expose their children to the culture. However, 2020 and 2021 are special because of the ongoing pandemic. Most districts of Guangzhou have canceled or imposed strict flow controls on their flower markets.

“Amy said we should stay in Guangdong because it's not safe to travel. I said no problem because the most important celebration is that we are alive and healthy,” said UC, “the pandemic somehow cemented our relationship since we have to stay at home and stay with each other. Now I can cook much better than I did before.”

Author: Jasmine, Liang Yaohua, Jiang Wanru

Editor: Keane, Jerry

Co-produced by GDToday and Southern Metropolis Daily