Brussels's "first citizen" dressed up in Chinese fur clothing

Musicians play as Brusells' famous
statue Manneken Pis is dressed in traditional Chinese costume made in
leather in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Mar. 2, 2009. The costume was
presented by Haining municipality, which is famous for its leather
industry in China. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Photo
Gallery

BRUSSELS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A vermilion tailor-made fur garment of
traditional Chinese style has been put on the "first citizen" of the Belgian
capital of Brussels -- the bronze fountain sculpture of "little pee boy Julien"
on Monday.

Julien's newest clothes of vermillion color, also known as China Red, was
donated by China's "fur capital" Haining city of Zhejiang province. It is the
819th in his wardrobe since the tradition to "dress the city hero up" started
over 300 years ago.

The vermilion coat with traditional Chinese patterns symbolizing fortune,
vigor and passion on it, is the boy's third Chinese costume after a mandarin
jacket presented by the Beijing municipal government in 1979 when Brussels
celebrated its millennium, and a Chinese space suit in welcome of the visit by
Chinese astronaut Fei Junlong in 2006.

The statue of urinating Julien, now commonly known as the landmark fountain
of Manneken-Pis in Brussels, was built in memory of a boy who saved the city by
urinating on the fuse of gunpowder lit by enemy troops hundreds of years ago and
later honored by the city as the "first citizen."

Brusells' famous statue Manneken Pis is
dressed in traditional Chinese costume made in leather in Brussels,
capital of Belgium, Mar. 2, 2009. The costume was presented by Haining
municipality, which is famous for its leather industry in China.
(Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Photo Gallery

During the donating ceremony, Shi Zhendong, vice mayor of Haining, said
this piece of traditional Chinese clothing includes the latest international
fashion elements.

It is also an embodiment of China's innovative fur industry and exhibits
the new image of China's manufacturing sector, he added.

Edmond Vandenhaute, president of the non-profit association the Friends of
Manneken-Pis, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Brussels municipal
government, spoke highly of the new apparel, saying that "it is one of the most
beautiful costumes Julien has received" and the best symbol of Belgium-China
friendship.

Stefano Missir di Lusignano, vice consul of Belgium in Shanghai also came
all the way to attend the ceremony in Brussels.

This piece of Chinese fur clothing is of special significance, as
cooperation between Europe and China continues to broaden and deepen, he said.