Ancient Waking Lion dance performance shines in Guangdong's Spring Festival celebrations

The ancient intangible cultural heritage of "Awakening Lion" dance unique to south China's Guangdong Province is being performed across the province during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday season running from January 28 to February 4, bringing people festive cheer, boosting their spirits and promoting traditional Chinese culture.

The Awakening Lion dance is the southern style of China's traditional lion dance performances. Not limited to Spring Festival celebrations, it has been an essential performance for all festivals and event celebrations in Guangdong for over a thousand years. Combining Chinese martial arts with the movements of lions, the performance symbolizes strength, vitality and the spirit of striving and flourishing.

"As the saying goes, 'The Awakening Lion awakens the nation's soul, and drums boost the spirit.' Why do we perform the Awakening Lion dance during on the occasion of all major festivals and celebrations, including the Spring Festival? It is not only to bring good fortune and auspiciousness, but more importantly, to foster national unity and bring us together. So, it also reflects the spirit of solidarity and positivity of our Chinese people," said Zhao Weibin, an inheritor to the Awakening Lion intangible cultural heritage.

In Guangdong, various types of Awakening Lion dance are named after different characters from the Romance of Three Kingdoms, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The colors and features of each lion represent the virtues and characteristics of these legendary figures, symbolizing the pursuit of traditional Chinese values.

"All the footwork in the Awakening Lion dance performance derives from Chinese martial arts. In performances on the quincuncial piles, the gaps and piles represent rivers and mountains, and the performance is intended to inspire people to boost their courage, assume their responsibilities, and stride forward for a brighter future," said Ye Zhongming, another inheritor to the Awakening Lion intangible cultural heritage.

From performances on ground to intricate feats on quincuncial piles set on water, the Awakening Lion dance performance is evolving into an increasingly complex and visually stunning performance, drawing tourists from near and far to enjoy the show.

"My hometown is Zhangye City in Gansu Province, in the Hexi Corridor. Seeing the lion flashing and hopping on the water in person is truly breathtaking. I feel that this is how the spirit of the Chinese nation is passed on. It is magnificent," said Tang Jieguo, a tourist from over 2,000 kilometers away in the northwest.

Since the Awakening Lion dance was enlisted as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, Guangdong Province has been promoting the art by various means. Today, the Awakening Lion dance has become a prominent cultural product of the province, and in its capital city of Guangzhou, nearly 200 schools have opened Awakening Lion dance performance classes to preserve and pass on the cultural treasure as part of traditional Chinese culture.

Ancient Waking Lion dance performance shines in Guangdong's Spring Festival celebrations

Iran on Tuesday warned it would deliver a stern response to any new aggression, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordering preparations for a prolonged naval blockade of the country.

Trump has instructed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran as the ceasefire remains in place amid stalled talks, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials.

In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion with top security officials in the White House, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran's economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, said the report.

The president assessed that the blockade, "a high-risk bid" to compel Tehran's nuclear capitulation, carries less risk than other options -- resume bombing or walk away from the conflict, the officials were quoted as saying.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated the same day that Tehran has completed "all necessary arrangements" to counter the U.S. naval blockade.

She noted that Iran's primary strategy focuses on maximizing its geographical advantages through effective tactical maneuvers.

Also on Tuesday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia declared that the military considers the current situation a state of war.

Akraminia added that Iran has fully updated its target lists and operational equipment, promising a "stern response" to any further aggression.

Mujtaba Ferdosipour, head of Iran's Interests Section in Cairo, told the IRNA news agency on Wednesday that U.S. attempts to force unilateral demands through a naval blockade are ineffective. He stressed that Iran's extensive land borders with neighboring countries provide viable alternatives to bypass the maritime restrictions.

Ferdosipour reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to vessels linked to Israel and the United States. He asserted that Iran has the right to manage security in the strait, maintaining that this position does not violate international conventions.

The envoy further stated that Iran does not trust the United States and has no desire for direct negotiations. He emphasized that Tehran can employ all available means to defend itself against attacks.

According to the latest data from the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted by 95.3 percent since Feb 27. The disruption has caused global food prices to rise by approximately six percent, while crude oil prices in European markets have surged by nearly 50 percent.

Iran warns of stern response as US plans prolonged blockade