Intangible cultural heritage shines in Chinese New Year celebrations

Cities across China celebrated the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, with vibrant displays of intangible cultural heritage, showcasing traditional art forms and festive folk activities.

On Wednesday, a lively dragon and lion dance performed by a Hong Kong troupe captivated crowds in Shanghai's century-old Shikumen complex to celebrate the Spring Festival. A golden dragon spiraled and danced, while eight lifelike lions leapt and rolled, drawing the attention of visitors.

Meanwhile, in Huangpu District, snake-shaped decorations adorned the streets, and performers carried traditional fish-shaped lanterns through the buildings, inviting visitors to capture festive moments with photos.

"This form of celebration during the Spring Festival is fantastic and festive," said Zhang Chaofeng, a visitor.

In Shehong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, over 200 performers took to the streets for an intangible cultural heritage folk parade on Thursday. The parade, featuring floats stretching hundreds of meters, delighted thousands of spectators with its vibrant display of local culture.

"By showcasing our culture through performances, we hope to enrich people's lives and ensure that our traditions are passed down through generations," said Zhong Haiyan, a wooden-bench dragon dance inheritor.

At the Jinci Temple Museum in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, visitors immersed themselves in the ancient charm of the thousand-year-old temple while participating in traditional cultural activities.

The rising groundwater level of Nanlao Spring, one of Jinci's famed "three wonders," drew many tourists eager to witness its gushing streams. The museum's events offered a culturally rich way to celebrate the Spring Festival.

In the Huaqing Palace scenic area in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a cultural fair brought the vibrancy of intangible cultural heritage to life. Dragon and lion dances, face-changing performance, fire-breathing, and ancient magic tricks mesmerized visitors, showcasing the unique charm of traditional Chinese arts.

The event also featured martial arts and acrobatic displays, attracting crowds of visitors who stopped to watch, took photos, and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

Intangible cultural heritage shines in 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