Folklore, traditional festivities fill Spring Festival across China with vibrant spirit

Various cultural events showcasing folklore and traditions have been held across China to celebrate the Spring Festival holiday, which runs from January 28 to February 4 this year.

In Chaozhou City, in south China's Guangdong Province, performances featuring the richly traditional Yingge dance were staged in streets and alleys, immersing visitors in its passionate moves and rhythmic musical beats.

In Yulin City, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the lively Yanko dance, with its energetic movements and resounding performances of traditional Chinese musical instruments such as suonas, gongs, and drums, created a festive atmosphere for every visitor.

An ancient town in Meishan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, has drawn flocks of visitors with intangible cultural performances such as Sichuan Opera.

Meanwhile, in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, visitors were captivated by dancers gracefully twirling in vibrant ethnic costumes, immersing themselves in the rich cultural atmosphere.

"The festive atmosphere is really strong, especially the grand parade of floats; it was so well organized. I've had a deeply meaningful Spring Festival holiday," said tourist Zhang Shuyou.

The sub-venues of the just-concluded 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala remain highly popular during the holiday.

In Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, visitors have flocked to landmarks featured in the gala, such as the Yellow Crane Tower, where they can enjoy panoramic views and traditional chime music.

During the holiday, bustling commercial streets across the city, including Shanhaiguan Road, have been packed with tourists drawn by the local specialty foods.

Meanwhile, from Wednesday to Friday, the Qingming Bridge Cultural Block in Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province, welcomed 530,000 visits, marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 30 percent.

"This is the beautiful Jiangnan, which I find very fascinating. So I traveled here from another region. The New Year atmosphere here is especially strong, full of festive charm and vitality," said tourist Wang Xue.

Lantern shows have illuminated the nightlife of various cities during the holiday. At Qianmen Gate in central Beijing, a 9.2-meter-diameter inflatable lantern adorned with traditional floral patterns was installed along the nearby commercial pedestrian street.

In Guangfu Ancient City, located in Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, elegant traditional palace lanterns blend with modern technology light displays, making the scenic area shine brilliantly as night falls.

At Laojun Mountain Scenic Spot in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, red lanterns have been arranged to spell out the Chinese characters for "Spring Festival," while a dazzling array of colorful lanterns awaits visitors.

"Looking at the lights all over the mountains, I felt mesmerized by the beautiful scenery. This experience is truly unforgettable," shared Gao Yimeng, a visitor enchanted by the breathtaking display.

Folklore, traditional festivities fill Spring Festival across China with vibrant spirit

China has a clear basis to scrutinize Meta's acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus on security grounds, a Chinese law expert said on Tuesday.

In late December last year, U.S. tech giant Meta announced plans to acquire Manus for 2 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese regulators have since launched an investigation into the deal for national security reasons.

China's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, announced on Monday that the office of the foreign investment security review working mechanism had issued a decision to prohibit foreign investment in Manus and has ordered the parties involved to revoke the acquisition deal.

The ruling offers a rare but telling look into how China is applying its foreign investment screening rules to the AI sector.

"In Manus' case, much of its early R and D was conducted in China, and its core technical team consisted of Chinese engineers. These features mean that the movement of people, control over technology, and data flows are inherently connected to China's interests, creating a clear basis for security scrutiny," said Professor Zhang Linghan, director of the Institute of AI Law and Governance at China University of Political Science and Law.

Manus develops general-purpose AI agents and launched its first such agent in March 2025. But just months later, the company moved its headquarters to Singapore, cut most of its China-based workforce, and stopped serving users in the country.

By December 2025, Manus announced plans to be sold to the American tech giant Meta. Manus executives joined the staff of the American tech giant soon after.

Although Manus attempted to sever ties with China prior to the sale, Chinese regulators focused on the actual origin of the technology and personnel. Professor Zhang believes this approach is entirely reasonable, as other countries have conducted similar reviews in the past.

"Similar patterns exist in the U.S. and the UK. The U.S. scrutinized ByteDance's acquisition of Musical.ly, later TikTok, over concerns about U.S. user data and algorithmic control long after the deal closed. In the UK, the proposed acquisition of Arm triggered security concerns regarding core IP and defense autonomy, leading the buyer to withdraw during deeper review," she said.

Experts said that China's high-standard opening-up and security are not contradictory, as a rigorous national security review does not deter foreign investment.

They also recommended adding foundational AI technologies to the investment review catalogue, making advance filings mandatory rather than intervening retroactively.

China right to scrutinize Meta’s planned acquisition of Chinese AI firm Manus: law expert