Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected cities in northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Gansu Province from Tuesday to Friday, and convened a symposium on ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin.
While inspecting Shaanxi's Baoji City on Tuesday afternoon, Xi visited the Baoji Bronze Ware Museum, the first bronze-themed museum in China for the collection, preservation, exhibition, and research of ancient Chinese bronze ware, to learn about the local efforts to enhance the protection and use of cultural relics.
He also visited a riverside ecological park in the city to learn about the ecological conservation of the Weihe River, the largest tributary of the Yellow River.
Xi then traveled to Tianshui City in neighboring Gansu Province, where he went to the Fuxi Temple, a site dedicated to the mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation Fuxi, and called for efforts to protect and pass on the valuable cultural heritage.
On Wednesday morning, the president went to a local apple production base to learn about a local water supply project and the modern specialty fruit industry in mountainous areas.
He also visited the Maijishan Grottoes, one of China's four largest Buddhist cave complexes, to understand local efforts in protecting and passing on cultural heritages.
In the afternoon, Xi visited a residential community in Gansu's provincial capital Lanzhou, where he learned about the local government's measures to improve public services, enhance the well-being of the people, and strengthen comprehensive public security maintenance.
In Lanzhou, Xi also visited the Yellow River section near the Zhongshan Bridge and was briefed on the efforts made by local authorities to promote ecological conservation in the Yellow River basin.
On Thursday morning, Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), met with senior officers and representatives of soldiers and civilian staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops stationed in Lanzhou.
At the symposium on Thursday afternoon, Xi called for efforts to further deepen reform in a comprehensive way, and use it as a driving force to break new ground in the ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. On Friday morning, Xi listened to the work reports from the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and the provincial government, and urged the provincial authorities to deepen reform, make innovation, and do solid work to improve the people's well-being and the province's prosperity.
Xi makes inspections in northwest China's Shaanxi, Gansu provinces
Xi makes inspections in northwest China's Shaanxi, Gansu provinces
Various activities were held worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.
Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Niigata of Japan, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater, delivered a spectacular visual feast for the overseas Chinese and Japanese audiences in Sendai.
The performance, featuring the elements of Dunhuang culture and the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, attracted about 2,000 spectators. Many Japanese people praised the colorful Chinese culture and expressed their hope to go to China to see with their own eyes and understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival.
"It's the first time I've seen such a performance. It's so gorgeous. I'm really touched. This Spring Festival event is also an opportunity for Japan and China to further develop friendly relations. If there is any chance for a performance like this in the future, I would like to come and watch it. I also really want to travel to China now," said a Japanese audience member.
"Happy to know that cultural heritage like the Spring Festival was included on the Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage, I think it's great to be able to celebrate such a festival in Japan. I really hope everyone can take a look and learn about the Spring Festival," said another audience member.
"We want to invite performers from Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater to present Dunhuang-themed music and dance which is full of Silk Road cultural elements. This will allow local people to see the mutual learning between Chinese and Japanese civilizations," said Cui Weilei, Consul-General of China in Niigata.
Budapest's Chinatown was alive with energy on Saturday as the streets were filled with music, dance, and the aroma of traditional Chinese delicacies during a two-day Spring Festival celebration.
The "Happy Chinese New Year" Temple Fair brought together numerous visitors and performers to usher in the upcoming Year of the Snake. They enjoyed the magnificent dragon and lion dances, ethnic performances, sugar-figure blowing, calligraphy demonstrations, and the unique experience of wearing traditional attire Hanfu.
"We come here because we have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and Chinese traditions, and a special interest in Chinese music. I think the most important part of Chinese culture is Chinese food because the best way to bring people from all over the world together is to sit around a table and eat together," said a resident in Budapest.
Colorful celebrations and Spring Festival receptions were also held at many Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.
By showcasing Spring Festival customs and intangible cultural heritage, these events allowed local communities to experience the festive vibes of the Spring Festival up close.
In Dubai, over 1,000 performers and artists from around the world came together to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern art through a rich variety of performances, drawing a large number of audience. The airing of the Spring Festival Gala promotional video by China Media Group also became a highlight of the evening.
A reception was held Wednesday evening in Cairo by the Chinese embassy in Egypt to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.
Around 600 attendees including Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, Ahmed Shaheen, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand affairs, representatives of the Egyptian government and people from all walks of life were gathered.
"On the occasion of the coming of the Spring Festival, I would like to send my sincerest wishes to dear Chinese friends," said Shaheen in a speech.
Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide