Underwater lion dance, dazzling fireworks add sparkle to Chinese New Year celebrations

As the 2025 Spring Festival holiday unfolds, a dazzling array of celebrations, including an awe-inspiring underwater lion dance and breathtaking fireworks and drone shows, have created unforgettable experiences for many revelers.

The Guangzhou Ocean World in south China's Guangdong Province has offered a mesmerizing twist on the traditional lion dance, captivating large crowds with its spectacular underwater performance.

Two divers, holding the lion's head and body, glided gracefully through the water to rhythmic music, surrounded by schools of fish. Other performers, dressed as "lucky snakes," swirled and twisted in the water, changing formations in sync with the music. The unique underwater interaction between the lion and the snakes delighted viewers of all ages.

Fireworks have always been an important part of Chinese New Year festivities. On Thursday evening, the second day of the Year of the Snake, Shantou in south China's Guangdong Province presented a spectacular fireworks display that left spectators in awe.

The show featured a seamless blend of 5,000 synchronized drones, brilliant fireworks, and lively music. The drones moved fluidly in intricate formations, adding a magical touch to the night sky. As the fireworks burst into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, they synchronized with the drone display, sending out auspicious messages of "good luck" and "wealth" over the bay.

"This is the first time I've seen such a dazzling performance by the seaside. The 5,000 drones and fireworks shine together. It's really stunning," said Li Sinuo, one spectator.

"Tonight's fireworks display truly made me feel the perfect fusion of sound and light. I hope that our country can prosper like the fireworks, thriving brightly and vibrantly," said Zhou Fulin, another audience member.

In Hong Kong, dazzling fireworks also lit up the night sky above Victoria Harbour. The 23-minute display featured an astonishing 23,888 pyrotechnic bursts in nine scenes to mark the Chinese New Year. Fireworks set off in the shapes of flowers, golden ingots, and hearts, drawing over 250,000 residents and tourists to the waterfront, who celebrated the joyous occasion together in a festive and romantic atmosphere.

Underwater lion dance, dazzling fireworks add sparkle to Chinese New Year celebrations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasn't in Washington just to make a deal, but also to seek justice, said a Ukrainian analyst regarding the open clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Zelensky was scheduled to sign a minerals deal with Trump before the meeting took a dramatic turn, leading to a rare shouting match between the two sides at the White House.

Following the televised confrontation, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House early, leaving the planned minerals deal unsigned.

During the fiery exchange, Trump claimed that Zelensky had no cards, while the Ukrainian president -- whose voice was barely audible over Trump's shouting -- was heard responding that he was not playing cards.

"I think the key card of Zelensky is the resistance of the Ukrainian people, and it's primarily because of this incredible resistance. And I think Zelensky was right that he didn't come (to Washington) to play the cards. It's not a question of making a deal just for the sake of the deal. I think Zelensky and Ukrainians seek justice," said Volodymyr Yermolenko, president of Pen Ukraine and a professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Kiev.

Regarding the defense summit in London on Sunday, which gathered European leaders, including Zelensky, to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, Yermolenko noted that Europe can no longer fully rely on the U.S. and that Ukraine plays a key role in Europe's security.

"The security of Europe depends on the security of Ukraine. Now, the situation is becoming much harsher because Europeans can no longer fully rely on American support, even military support. But technically, Europe is not ready, (its) military is not ready, and it should really act fast. And the Ukrainian army is the strongest army in Europe, and now the security of Europe also depends on Ukraine," he said.

Zelensky pursued justice rather than only deal on U.S. trip: Ukrainian analyst