Chinese New Year celebrations held across world

As the Spring Festival approaches, a diverse array of activities with unique Chinese characteristics has been held overseas, enabling foreign friends to experience the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

The "Happy Spring Festival -- Intangible Cultural Heritage Elegance Gathering" event took place at the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in the UK. The Spring Festival Gala promotional video from the China Media Group was played on-site, allowing guests to experience the festive atmosphere and the unique charm of Chinese culture.

The event showcased intangible cultural heritage projects like instrument and opera performances, Tai Chi, Chinese calligraphy, and paper-cutting. Guests actively participated and immersed themselves in the strong Spring Festival atmosphere and the brilliance of Chinese cultural treasures.

In Japan, a Spring Festival gala was held on Saturday in Tokyo, organized by the Federation of Chinese Associations in Japan. Artists from both China and Japan presented shows such as lion dance, folk dances, and traditional musical instrument playing for the audience.

Japanese guests joining the event gave their Spring Festival wishes in Chinese. "I love China. I love Chinese festivals. Wish you all a happy Spring Festival," said former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the event.

"I love Chinese festivals. Happy Spring Festival," said Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association.

The Chinese Pavilion built during the Expo 2020 Dubai hosted a special intangible cultural heritage Spring Festival celebration on Friday. Woodblock Chinese New Year paintings, paper cutting, tea culture, and Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) dressing experiences made China's intangible cultural heritage accessible for many local visitors.

Some said traditional Chinese sports on display such as Chuiwan (ancient Chinese golf game) and Pitch-pot made them feel as if they had traveled back to the ancient times of China.

"I really like those clothes, the traditional clothes. That's why I wear it. It's really good actually, as I think it's [a] lucky color. It's fortune as well," said Karen, a tourist from the Philippines.

A Chinese worker in Dubai who watched the Spring Festival Gala promotional video said he looks forward to the final show on Tuesday.

"The Spring Festival Gala now feels more refreshing because it uses brand-new digital projection technology, giving people a sense of keeping pace with the times and technological progress," said Hu Jiajing, an employee of a Chinese company in Dubai.

In Indonesia, the 2025 "Happy Spring Festival" flash mob event was held at the Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Many viewers were surprised by the grand lion dance and folk music performances at site.

"There was a lion dance today, and I got a mascot. I'm so happy," said Else, a local resident.

"I hope the new year will be better and everyone will gain something," said Wilson, another local resident.

The first Spring Festival concert of the 2025 "Happy Spring Festival" by the China Central Opera House in Europe was recently held in Brussels, Belgium, with the aim of using music as a bridge to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and European people.

Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Fei Shengchao, envoys from various countries to Belgium, EU officials, and more than 400 representatives from all walks of life in Belgium attended the event.

Chinese New Year celebrations held across world

Chinese New Year celebrations held across world

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests