In China's Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan, lively Chinese New Year celebrations were held, showcasing deep cultural traditions and fostering a sense of unity and joy among communities.
On Wednesday, the first day of the Year of the Snake, the streets of Macau were alive with leaping dragons and dancing lions. A 238-metre-long golden dragon and 18 spirited lion dancers were at the centre of the action as they took off from the iconic ruins of St Paul's Church and passed through landmarks such as Senado Square and A-Ma Temple.
There were also performers in costumes of the god of wealth, the Chinese gods Fu, Lu and Shou (representing luck, wealth and longevity), the zodiac snake and the tourism mascot Macao Mak Mak.
Hong Kong welcomed the Year of the Snake with its typical international parade, which included nine elaborate floats and performances by international troupes.
Street dancers, folk musicians, samba artists and acrobats brought energy and excitement to the streets and captivated the audience with their live performances.
Cruises adorned with iconic Hong Kong symbols such as giant pandas and Hong Kong-style milk tea served as cultural ambassadors, while others highlighted the unique traditions of Chinese New Year in the metropolis.
On Wednesday evening, a joint fireworks display lit up the night sky in Xiamen, a coastal city on the Chinese mainland, and Kinmen, a small island just off the mainland.
As of 8pm, nearly 50,000 fireworks were simultaneously set off from Xiamen and Kinmen beaches. The 30-minute parade was divided into several themed sections, with elements highlighting the Spring Festival and the ties between the cross-Strait states.
The joint fireworks display, a cherished Chinese New Year tradition since 1987, highlighted the deep ties between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
CMG/ gnews - RoZ
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