Festive vibes are getting richer across China as people are welcoming the arrival of Spring Festival with various characteristic activities.
In Xiaxian County of north China's Shanxi Province, traditional performances like stilt walking and lion dance have won rounds of applause from spectators. People can also enjoy over 100 of local delicacies, with some of them being intangible cultural heritage.
The Wudang Mountain scenic spot in Hubei Province's Shiyan City has turned into a colorful cultural world, with several artistic performances on stage.
From dancing, martial art to acrobatics, these shows have created a comprehensive immersive experience for tourists with the help of visual devices and hologram technology.
During the Spring Festival holiday, the scenic spot will also hold additional light show and lantern fair, wowing visitors with its unique charm and rich festive atmosphere.
"We hope, with these colorful artistic performances, tourists around the world will come to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province's Shiyan City to celebrate the Spring Festival," said He Yaochen, person in charge of the scenic spot.
Right before the Chinese New Year, a village gala was held on the bank of the Lugu Lake in Lijiang City of southwest China's Yunnan Province. Villagers showed their talents with instrumental performances and dancing, attracting a lot of tourists.
"I feel so lucky to see such a wonderful show and the stunning view, and to experience the amazing culture," said a tourist.
Some residents in Luoyang City of central China's Henan Province had a chance to closely watch shows of intangible cultural heritage, such as lion dance, "Bian Lian" (face-changing) and fire-spitting.
They also ate tasty food and played games at a Spring Festival fair.
"I'm very happy. This has made our life more colorful," said Cheng Lingling, a local resident.
Baoqing County in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is buzzing with excitement, as a Spring Festival fair is packed with local food and daily necessities to celebrate the festival.
People across China ring in Spring Festival with culture-rich activities
Hong Kong’s stock market saw a sharp rise in both the number of newly listed companies and the total funds raised in the first quarter of the year, the latest data from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) showed.
The number of newly listed companies on the HKEX reached 16 in the first quarter, up 33 percent year on year, mainly covering such sectors as consumer goods, new energy vehicles, and medical and health care.
The funds raised by the listed companies on the HKEX also saw a significant increase. IPO fundraising in the first quarter reached about 18.214 billion Hong Kong dollars (2.34 billion U.S. dollars), surging 281 percent compared to the same period of last year.
"In the first quarter, Hong Kong's stock market saw rapid growth in the number of new IPOs and the funds raised, placing it among the global leaders. Companies in sectors such as consumer goods, new energy, and artificial intelligence have increasingly chosen to list on the Hong Kong exchange. This surge makes more investors to feel confident in the future growth of Hong Kong-listed companies and recognize the market's investment potential. The trend will further solidify Hong Kong's status as an international financial center," said Wang Kai, chief strategy analyst at Guosen Securities.
At the same time, an increasing number of listed companies on Chinese mainland’s A-share market are exploring dual listings in Hong Kong, aiming to expand their global presence and attract international investors.
Among the 16 newly listed companies in Hong Kong during the first quarter, one was already listed on the A-share market. Additionally, 33 more listed companies on the A-share market have announced plans to list on the HKEX this year. Many other such companies have chosen the global financial hub as the listing destination for their subsidiaries.
"Recently, more listed companies on the A-share market have shown the intention for dual listings in Hong Kong. Many of them are leaders in promising sectors. Listing in Hong Kong will help them accelerate their global expansion and tap into international markets. The dual listing will also enable them to leverage resources from both markets, facilitating easier fundraising and faster growth. Meanwhile, more international investors can get the opportunities to invest in and benefit from China's economic growth," said Yang Chao, chief strategy analyst at China Galaxy Securities.
Hong Kong’s stock market sees surge in new listings and fundraising in Q1