London’s Chinatown celebrates King Charles’ coronation with poon choi

The event was part of the Coronation Big Lunch, a nationwide initiative aimed at bringing neighbours and communities together to celebrate the coronation

‘As a young mixed British-Chinese, it makes me so proud to share and celebrate Chinese culture on the streets of London,’ said Guo Toto, a British-Chinese model

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Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla visit London’s Chinatown in February 2022. London’s Chinese community held a Poon Choi event in Chinatown on Sunday, celebrating the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:25am, 8 May 2023

The Chinese community held a traditional Poon Choi event in Chinatown London on Sunday, celebrating the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Around a hundred community senior citizens gathered under the warm afternoon sun to taste the Poon Choi Banquet dishes and enjoy cultural performances themed “Community and Talents”.

According to London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA), the organiser of the event, poon choi is a culinary tradition. It involves layering an array of the very best Chinese cuisine in a large bowl, symbolising unity and harmony as it brings together people of different backgrounds and beliefs to share a meal.

According to London Chinatown Chinese Association, poon choi is a culinary tradition. Photo: Shutterstock

The event was part of the Coronation Big Lunch, a nationwide initiative aimed at bringing neighbours and communities together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Charles was on Saturday crowned monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms in the Britain’s first coronation since 1953 at Westminster Abbey in central London. Camilla was also crowned on the same day.

“LCCA hopes this celebration event will not only bring joy to everyone but also make a positive contribution to the local community, enhance community cohesion, and make Chinatown a more attractive, sustainable, and welcoming place,” said Deng Zhuting, president of LCCA.

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“As a young mixed British-Chinese, it makes me so proud to share and celebrate Chinese culture on the streets of London, representing the Chinese London community to celebrate the coronation … Today’s show had people of all ages, all showing Chinese art and culture to the West,” said Guo Toto, a British-Chinese model and influencer, who acted as presenter of the Poon Choi event.