Hundreds of people gathered in Manchester,UK,on Sunday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China's biggest celebrations.
The event saw vibrant dance performances, martial arts and games, with delicious mooncakes also gifted to visitors.
On top of the fun-filled celebrations, the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival also holds a deeper meaning of connection and family reunions.
"Family is a very important part of our lives. So I'm very proud that we have a festival that celebrates family reunion, to remind each other we should be with our family," said Zhang Keyu, a performer at this year's event.
Local visitors spoke highly of the spirit of unity enshrined in the festival.
"We need to have these society relationships, and people to people relationships. So, I think these kinds of events are good," said Sol Stappard, one of the visitors.
"I love the performances, especially the dance. That was very vibrant. And the little parade that we all did. And the fact you get to join in as well, it really shows that it's a great community," said Vivien Csonka, another visitor.
Although the Mid-Autumn Festival is a Chinese festival, it's making a mark in the UK.
"I think this is a very very good occasion for people here in this city and the country, the UK, for people to know this Mid-Autumn Festival, the origins, all the festivities, the meanings. I think this is good for people in this country to understand Chinese culture and Chinese tradition," said Tang Rui, Chinese Consul General in Manchester.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, on Sept. 17 this year.
Manchester celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant activities
Manchester celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with vibrant activities
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
