B.C. Premier Christy Clark made the following statement after a Qingming Festival ceremony today at Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery to honour Chinese ancestors and British Columbia’s Chinese community for their contributions:

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“Celebrated for thousands of years, the Qingming Festival is a time for families to pay respect to their ancestors by cleaning the gravesites, planting flowers and offering food.

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“In British Columbia, we have learned that diversity is a strength. Our rich multicultural society helps nurture acceptance, understanding and mutual respect. It’s more important than ever to continue being an example for the world.

On behalf of all British Columbians, I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating Qingming – and my respects to those who came before us.”

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