Dazu District of Chongqing Municipality lights up the night sky with illuminated displays that integrate local rock carving culture to celebrate the approaching New Year, attracting both locals and tourists for an immersive cultural experience.
As night falls, plazas, landmarks, and city streets come alive with brilliant lighting, creating a joyful atmosphere. Local cultural elements, including rock carvings, paper-cutting, and Chinese flowering apples, are incorporated into the decorative lights, showcasing the district's rich cultural heritage.
"This year's New Year decorations are brilliant and truly reflect Dazu's customs and character. My friend just arrived, and I've been sharing many stories related to these lights," said Liang Yi, a local resident. To present the unique and charming culture, local authorities have leveraged the district's traditions, blending them with striking and tactile lighting displays.
"The 2025 New Year lighting displays in Dazu District were designed with the area's deep history and culture in mind. By carefully selecting cultural symbols that reflect local features, we aim to showcase the city's cultural richness through the harmonious collaboration of lights and the night sky," said Chen Zhi, a staff member at the Street Lamp Management Office of Dazu District.
Chongqing's Dazu shines with cultural light displays to welcome New Year
Farmers in India, a major agricultural producer and fertilizer importer, are raising concerns over fertilizer availability ahead of the planting season, as the escalating Middle East conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz put global supplies at risk.
The Middle East serves as both a vital energy hub and a major global fertilizer supplier, yet the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has heightened risks of disruption to international supplies.
Chand Singh Yadav, a farmer in Haryana, a northern Indian state, said poor crop yields would be disastrous for the country and called on the government to ensure adequate supplies of fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent a food crisis. "Without fertilizers, our crops will not grow well, and this would be disastrous for the entire country. If farmers cannot grow crops, people will not be able to buy food in the market. We urge the government to improve the supply system for fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent the country and society as a whole from sliding into a food crisis," he said.
The Indian government is stepping up subsidies for farmers and optimizing fertilizer distribution and allocation to stabilize the supply. Prices have remained broadly stable, but demand is expected to surge ahead of the planting season, potentially exacerbating supply pressures.
"The current situation is worrying for us farmers. Spring sowing has not yet started, and the rainy season has not arrived. Fertilizer prices are temporarily stable, but in two months, demand for agricultural fertilizers will become pressing. Without fertilizers, it will be difficult to properly cultivate various types of crops. Urea and diammonium phosphate are especially critical. Crops can only grow normally when these fertilizers are applied. As these fertilizers are largely imported, if the conflict persists, supplies cannot be guaranteed," said Santosh Mishra, a farmer in India's eastern state of Odisha.
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
