People in China welcomed the New Year with vibrant celebrations and cultural displays on Tuesday night, from spectacular light show and night cruise to dazzling iron flower performances.
The combination of vibrant lights, festive events, and cultural showcases exemplified the spirit of celebration as people welcomed 2024 with joy and hope.
As the clock struck midnight, the bustling Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in the city came alive with vibrant light shows and unique night cruises, drawing crowds of locals and tourists eager to welcome the new year.
In addition to the light display, the newly-opened Fushan Bay New Year's Eve special cruise also provided visitors with a fresh perspective and experience.
"This is my first New Year's Eve on a boat. It's very special and the scenery is beautiful," said Li, a tourist.
Meanwhile, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Changshou District unveiled its spring festival lights, instantly filling the city with a peaceful festive atmosphere. As night fell, colorful decorations illuminated the streets, creating a comfortable urban landscape.
This year's light show prominently featured red and yellow hues, incorporating traditional elements such as red lanterns, Chinese knots and lucky bags, along with auspicious clouds, phoenixes, and pomelos, showcasing the region's characteristic culture.
"I think the fancy lanterns this year are very beautiful and spectacular. It's very colorful and in a new style. It brings strong New Year atmosphere," said Chen Hongling, a resident.
"The colorful lights has made the city more lively and warmer, providing a good place for citizens to take photos and hang out together, enhancing the festive atmosphere," said Chuan Yaqi, another resident.
In Kaifeng, an ancient capital in central China's Henan Province, elaborate fireworks lit up the night sky, greeting the arrival of 2025.
Traditional performances, including the "Iron Flower" intangible heritage performance, captivated spectators with molten iron tossed into the air, creating a dazzling shower of sparks against the backdrop of ancient architecture.
Cities ring in New Year with spectacular night celebrations
The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum is expected to bring new vitality to the global development and human civilization, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing.
Petro, who delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on Wednesday, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview, while giving a special mention of the importance of the forum as a platform to reshape multilateralism.
"This Forum, held here in China, comes at a pivotal moment in history. And that's precisely what makes it so significant. It is taking place at a time when multilateralism is in urgent need of reshaping. There are some powers who believe they can rule the world through intimidation and shows of force. But with China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries standing together, we must make them understand: history is full of hard lessons. Those who once flexed their military might did not prevail. They may have enjoyed momentary success in the past, but this time, history will not repeat itself," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum's operation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum that under the careful cultivation of both sides over the past 10 years, the China-CELAC Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.
Petro hailed the relations between China and LAC countries over the past decade, saying that the cooperation is expected to energize the global development and human civilization.
"Yes, exactly, a tree. A strong and thriving tree, with deep and well-developed roots firmly anchored in the earth. There's no doubt that over the past ten years, trade in physical goods between China and LAC countries has grown substantially. China is involved in building the Bogota metro project. China is also constructing a port in Peru, and many other large-scale infrastructure projects are being advanced through Chinese investment and engineering expertise. When we link the cultural and civilizational threads of China and LAC countries, it's as if we are nurturing a living tree, one that grows tall toward the sky and promises to bring new vitality to the human civilization," he said.
China-CELAC Forum brings new vitality to global development: Colombian president
