Dazzling lantern shows, traditional performances take center stage amid Mid-Autumn Festival holiday

Thousands of people in China are celebrating the first day of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday watching dazzling lantern shows and vibrant traditional performances.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions. It falls on Sept. 17 this year.

People are also celebrating the three-day holiday through diverse cultural festivities, including eating mooncakes and appreciating the moon.

In Beijing, residents were in for a treat as authorities staged a grand lantern show. Running from Sunday till the end of October, the lantern show consists of nine themed areas, with over 200 lighting sets on show.

"This is my first time to see such a big lantern show. I'm very excited. It not only has sci-tech features, but also some elements of Chinese tradition. On this special occasion, being able to enjoy this lantern show really means a lot to me," said Wang Sixiang, a local resident.

Meanwhile, Changsha City of central China's Hunan Province has organized various activities incorporating Chinese tradition and intangible cultural heritage.

At Tongguanyao resort, shadow play, an intangible cultural heritage, attracted many tourists. Travelers can also try out Nvshu, a written language developed for and by women in Hunan during ancient times.

Nvshu was usually written on paper or stitched on cloth, and the characters were supposed to make people relate the words to women's postures. Women used Nvshu to communicate with each other, record their daily life, and write songs. The female script was popular in Hunan's Jiangyong County.

"I've tried to make several traditional handcrafts," said Qu Xiangyue, a tourist.

At the same time, Chinese traditional performances, including Flower Drum Opera, bian lian (face-changing) and crosstalk, took center stage in Jinggang Ancient Town. The vibrant performances captivated tourists as they immersed in Chinese culture.

All the while, tourists cruised the Lujiang River in Jinggang, watching modern interpretations of Chinese traditional cultures along the cruise.

"I think this place is really worth visiting. It's very vibrant," said Bai Ge, another tourist.

Dazzling lantern shows, traditional performances take center stage amid Mid-Autumn Festival holiday

Dazzling lantern shows, traditional performances take center stage amid Mid-Autumn Festival holiday

Dazzling lantern shows, traditional performances take center stage amid Mid-Autumn Festival holiday

Dazzling lantern shows, traditional performances take center stage amid Mid-Autumn Festival holiday

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months by an overwhelming margin.

The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The resolution demanding that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice, was introduced by the State of Palestine on Tuesday and was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations.

By the newly adopted resolution, the UNGA "demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution."

The UNGA also demands that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice.

In remarks before the vote, Mohamed Issa Abushahab, the permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must be addressed through unimpeded access to those in need, a ceasefire deal and the full implementation of all related Security Council resolutions.

A credible peace process must be relaunched to work towards a two-State solution to diffuse this conflict, he said, expressing support for the State of Palestine's full statehood and UN membership. "The time has come to end the suffering," he noted.

Introducing the draft resolution on Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He said the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination.

"The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit," said Mansour.

UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year