Creative Spring Festival activities held across Chinese cities

Across China, cities are alive with a festive atmosphere as colorful and dynamic activities are held adding a modern twist to traditional Spring Festival celebrations.

On Wednesday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, about 500,000 people gathered on the banks of the Gan River in east China's Nanchang City to watch a memorable firework show and drone performance which illuminated the night sky.

Dazzling fireworks exploded above the city's iconic twin skyscrapers, choreographed with the buildings' changing colors. Moments later, 2,660 drones ascended into the sky, forming dynamic images of the Year of the Snake, including the golden snake, red koi fish and a full wallet.

For the audience, the drone performance was a visual symphony of technology and tradition.

"The combination of technology and traditional culture is impressive. It's more than a feast for the eyes, but a kind of creative inheritance of our traditional Spring Festival culture," said Lai Yehui, a visitor.

A firework show named "Brilliant Auspicious Clouds" ran 1,300 meters along the Gan River. The dream-like scroll painting shot 200 meters into the night sky, captivating the crowd.

"I am thrilled. It's very creative to have fireworks, drones, a musical fountain and the river view all in one scene. Gathering together with so many people to watch fireworks gives me a stronger festive spirit. I feel full of energy to embrace the new year. I wish our country to flourish like soaring fireworks," said Zhang Suqi, a visitor.

In northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, giant festive lanterns were placed in front of the museum of Guyuan City, adding a splash of color to the festival night. People wandered among lanterns and shot off fireworks, fully enjoying the flavor of the Spring Festival.

Alongside traditionally-shaped lanterns, mountain, flower and snake lanterns were a hit with visitors.

Southwest China also has unique celebrations including a local intangible cultural heritage which was listed last year called the "Thousand-Person Kylin Dance" which was held in the Kylin District of Qujing City in Yunnan Province,.

The Kylin is a mythical creature in Chinese legend, the appearance of which is viewed as a good omen. Kylin District is named after this creature and organizes a Kylin Dance every year during the Spring Festival.

"The Kylin Dance allows young people like me to feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close. In the future, we'll find even more modern ways to preserve and promote traditional Spring Festival cultural and intangible cultural heritage," said Yang Beiyi, a performer in the Kylin Dance.

There were also 34 elaborate floats and over 30 performance troupes along the street lined with over 500,000 residents and visitors.

"There are more floats on the street this year. They are also decorated very nicely. As one of the younger generation, I feel even more proud of my hometown Qujing," said Mr Zhang, a resident.

Creative Spring Festival activities held across Chinese cities

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival