People across the world are celebrating the arrival of 2025 in various ways.
In Thailand, the Menam River in Bangkok hosted a fireworks show as the clock struck midnight that ushered in the first day of 2025. The fireworks illuminated a 1,400-meter canvas of the night sky, painting a vivid tapestry that spanned five kilometers along the river.
Approximately 100,000 locals and foreign visitors gathered there to greet the new year.
"The New Year's Day is a happy holiday. Thai people worked hard throughout the year, and this day is for us to take a rest and have family reunions," said a Thai.
"I wish my family and friends to stay healthy," said a Chinese tourist.
A bustling night market along the river attracted tourists eager to savor local delicacies.
In a commercial street near the Naritasan Temple in Narita, Japan, dozens of shops offer a variety of festival goods, including blessing ornaments and Daruma dolls that symbolize good fortune.
Tourists have crowded the area to pray for good luck and shop for the New Year.
Japanese consumers are expected to spend an average of 43,000 yen (about 274 U.S. dollars) per person on tourism during the 2025 New Year holiday, marking a record high, according to industry data.
At a coastal tourist destination in Cape Town, South Africa, tens of thousands of tourists gathered for grand celebrations for the New Year.
"We are from the Netherlands celebrating the start of 2025. Everybody happy New Year," said a Dutch tourist.
As night fell, the brightly lit streets, dynamic music and lively performances infuse the city with a festive atmosphere around the corner of every New Year, fascinating tourists from across the world.
In Paris, France, fireworks lit up the sky over the Arc de Triomphe to greet the New Year on the Champs-Elysees Avenue.
The celebrations started at 19:00 on the last day of 2024, featuring music performances, light shows and fireworks display at midnight.
New Year celebrated across world
Representatives from China and France expressed a strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors during an economic and trade forum in Lyon, France, on Thursday.
The event took place at the Chinese Consulate General in Lyon, bringing together scholars and representatives from business, finance, tourism, and other key sectors of both countries.
Lyon, a major industrial and economic hub in central France, has long served as a key player in China-France cooperation. Many attendees highlighted the city's historical and contemporary role in strengthening bilateral ties.
"The cooperation between Lyon and China has a long history, dating back to the days of the ancient Silk Road. Today, the newly established Sino-French Institute in Lyon further deepens mutual understanding between our peoples," said Philippe Valentin, president of the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
French business representatives see immense potential for deeper cooperation between the two nations.
"China is today, I would say, the top in terms of automotive, in terms of innovation and new patents. And we are also looking for a lot of different skills and innovation to develop our development and collaboration in China," said Herve Vericel, vice president of Business Development and Advanced Engineering of Saint Jean Industries.
Chinese participants also expressed confidence in the future of bilateral cooperation.
"From aviation and sustainable development to infrastructure, China and France not only share extensive common interests, but also have their distinct advantages," said Zhou Mi, senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Yu Jiang, consul general of China in Lyon, underscored the growing momentum of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
"People-to-people exchanges between the two countries will become faster and more frequent, making our friendship stronger and more enduring," he said.
Lyon trade forum highlights deepening China-France cooperation
