Various fun activities have been launched in parts of east China's Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces in the run-up to the Spring Festival holiday season.
At the Wen'er food bazaar in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang, a distinctive exhibition showcasing paper-cutting, an intangible cultural heritage, draw a large crowd. In addition to shopping for groceries, visitors could also join in paper-cutting classes, drink coffee, and watch exhibitions.
"Today, I made a paper-cut and a paper-carving artwork, featuring the 'Fu' character, to bring good fortune to my home," said Ge Yingyin, a young girl.
Apart from such lively interactions among locals, an exhibition at the market displays over 50 classic fine-grained paper-cutting artworks, which offers the visitors an opportunity to appreciate the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close.
"The market here is full of life, [where intangible cultural heritage items can find their niche]. China's intangible cultural heritage is never divorced from life, but more integrated into the daily life of ordinary people," said Wan Qianyun, a local resident.
Hua'an in Zhangzhou City of Fujian, once a small fishing village, has now transformed into a popular tourist destination. With its rich fishing resources, the county has developed festive activities such as fish banquets and tours to its traditional earthen buildings, attracting flocks of tourists.
As the Spring Festival approaches, Hua'an has also organized events such as a New Year market, a half-marathon and a spinning top competition, all aimed at boosting its tourism industry by leveraging its distinctive culture and agricultural products.
"The Jiulong River is abundant in aquatic products, and many tourists come here to savor those delicacies. Guanshe has 127 guesthouses with a total of 224 beds, and 60 percent of them are pre-booked for the Spring Festival holiday," said Lan Gengyuan, an official of the Guanshe Village of Hua'an.
Zhejiang, Fujian launch cultural activities in run-up to Spring Festival
Both supporters and protesters staged rallies near the residence of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday, a day before an arrest warrant for him expires.
On the day, conservative groups supporting Yoon and labor groups which hold opposing views called on the public to gather outside the presidential residence. Both sides sought to control the traffic near the residence.
Supporters of the president stressed that removing him from office would not solve the greater challenges the country faces.
"Some people said that as long as the president is arrested, as long as he steps down, everything will be solved. I think this is wrong, so I want to stand out and show my support," said a supporter.
When asked about Yoon's refusal to cooperate with the investigation into his martial law order in early December, the supporter stressed the necessity of waiting for South Korea's constitutional court's ruling.
Protesters said Yoon's declaration of martial law in December posed a significant threat to the fair governance of the country.
"Everyone may have different ideas, but most people, most citizens think that there is a problem now. If you don't stand out and speak up, there will be no change in the status quo. As an ordinary citizen, I think I should stand out and make my voice heard. Without citizens, this country will not exist, and there will be no constitution. But (Yoon) pointed the gun at the people and the constitution. Under the system of separation of powers, martial law was declared (because the National Assembly did not cooperate with the government to legislate). I can't agree with it at all," a protester said.
The investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) attempted to arrest Yoon in his residence on January 3, but they failed as the presidential security service blocked the execution of the arrest warrant which was issued by the Seoul Western District Court.
A second arrest operation is being planned, but no action has been taken yet.
The arrest warrant remains valid until Monday.
According to multiple media outlets, the CIO will seek the extension of a warrant to arrest the impeached Yoon on Monday after entrusting the National Office of Investigation (NOI) with the task of executing the warrant on Sunday.
The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year and delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended.
Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law on the night of December 3, 2024 but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence
