Largest-ever lantern fair held in Beijing for Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A lantern fair marking the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day opened at the Garden Expo Park in Beijing on Sunday.

Running through this month, the lantern fair covers an area of more than 40 hectares with nine themed sections, including "beautiful landscapes", "Beijing culture", and "colorful childhood".

As the largest lantern fair ever held in Beijing, the event presents more than 200 sets of lanterns, including 75 large and medium-sized ones, and 100,000 vibrant decorations such as "Blossoms and Moonlight", "Panda Paradise", and "Bright Moon over the Lugou Bridge".

"I've seen many characteristic exhibits related to Beijing's culture and the Winter Olympics. It's even more magnificent than I imagined. I've never seen so large a lantern fair," said Tian Qing, a visitor.

The fair also has a street that provides a wide variety of dining options, themed activities and traditional stores.

"I'm here to appreciate the various kinds of lanterns on show and see if there are any new and innovative lanterns. Besides, there's also a snack street, so I've taken children and seniors here to enjoy the snacks," said another visitor.

Also on display are lanterns from Zigong, known as the "city of a thousand lights", for its history of lantern-making that dates back more than 1,000 years.

"We have taken into consideration the comfort and visual experience of visitors and the richness of content to make the lantern fair a place where visitors can feel the joy, the happiness and the festive vibe of family reunion," said Shen Hongyue, president of the Zigong Lantern Industry Association.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on September 17 this year.

The National Day falls on October 1.

Largest-ever lantern fair held in Beijing for Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day

Bilateral relations between China and Seychelles are entering a new phase of expansion, driven by rising trade volumes and growing collaboration in private sector, as well as emerging cooperation in the blue economy and digital innovation.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is paying a visit to Seychelles and two other African countries of Kenya and South Africa from March 22 to 30.

The year of 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles.

In 1976, Seychelles became a sovereign nation. China was among the first nations to officially recognize the archipelago country's independence from British rule, marking the beginning of a long friendship that has later transformed the small island state in the Indian Ocean.

"This 50th anniversary will allow us to take stock of what we have achieved in different fields, education, health, infrastructure, economy, culture, environment and other areas," Vincent Meriton, former vice president of Seychelles, said in an interview via video link.

In 2024, at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the relations between the two countries hit a new peak as the ties were officially elevated to a strategic partnership.

Available data showed that bilateral trade between the two countries has maintained a strong momentum, reaching 84 million U.S. dollars in 2024. China mainly exports high-tech products such as smart phones, high-end camera systems, and mechanical and electric products, among others. Seychelles primarily exports seafood.

The future development of the bilateral ties is now turning offshore as both nations are looking toward blue economy. They are working together on sustainable fisheries and protection for the very ocean that feeds Seychelles.

Chinese vice president's visit to Seychelles to further enhance bilateral ties