China's winding Great Wall, for the sixth time, has turned green to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Beijing on March 17. Zhang Xingjian reports.

In addition to Beijing's Badaling Great Wall, a number of Chinese national icons have joined the global greening once again this year, including Canton Tower in Guangzhou, the Qujing 218 in Yunnan and the Culture and Arts Centre in Suzhou.

Meanwhile, it marks the first time to witness some "green greetings" in Hong Kong, including the Clock Tower and Cathay Pacific's DC-3 plane, otherwise known as "Niki", which went green to symbolize the number of direct air links now between the two countries.

Joe McHugh T.D., Ireland's minister for education and skills, said, "This is the 10th anniversary of the Global Greenings event and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China."

"We appreciate very much Beijing's support and cooperation in having the Badaling Great Wall of China join the global greening this March," said the minister, "This year, 18 landmark buildings in Ireland went red in honor of China's Spring Festival, our friendship with the Chinese people and the twinning relationship between our cities, including our capital cities Beijing and Dublin, and Shanghai with Cork."

Ambassador of Ireland to China Eoin O'Leary added, "St Patrick's Day is a time of celebration in Ireland and for all those of Irish descent and affinity around the world. In a significant gesture of friendship and solidarity by the Chinese authorities toward the Irish people, the City Administration of Beijing and the Yanqing District Authorities once again honor us with permission to green one of the greatest icons in the world."

St Patrick's Day takes place each year on March 17, the traditional religious feast day of Saint Patrick. What began as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing and a whole lot of green.

At present, Tourism Ireland in China shows that 70 million people around the world are linked to Ireland in different fields, and St Patrick's Day is a great opportunity to connect them with Irish history.