Festive atmosphere of Greater Bay Area enhanced by cultural heritage performances

Residents of south China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have gathered in Guangdong Province for jubilant Spring Festival celebrations, marking the start of 2025 Chinese New Year with vibrant intangible cultural heritage and folklore events.

With the further integration and increasingly convenient living of the Greater Bay Area, many Hong Kong and Macao residents have flocked to Guangdong Province to enjoy the mainland's festive vibe during the Spring Festival holiday running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.

In Guangdong's Zhuhai City, the air was filled with excitement as lion dance teams from Hong Kong and Macao joined local performers for a spectacular show on Thursday, the second day of the Chinese New Year. The agile and fluid movements of the lions drew continuous applause from the audience, creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity.

"Every Spring Festival is the busiest time of the year for our lion dance team, but we never feel tired. We hope to enhance the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year in the Greater Bay Area.," said Liang Jiahui, a member of Zhuhai New Business Youth Association.

At Chikan of Jiangmen City, a national historic and cultural town with a history of more than 370 years, the energetic "awakening lion" dance performances have further heightened the festive joy.

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 1,000 years. Combining Chinese martial arts with the movements of lions, the performance symbolizes strength, vitality and the spirit of striving and flourishing.

From performances on ground to intricate feats on quincuncial piles, the visually stunning show made it an unforgettable experience for the cheerful holidaymakers.

"I came here to feel the mainland's Spring Festival atmosphere. I'm really happy. The view here is wonderful," said Ms. Wong from Hong Kong.

The vibrant Yingge dance - a national intangible cultural heritage item - was also staged at the riverside town. The colorful costumes and the high-pitched background music lifted the atmosphere there to another high point.

Originating in the Chaoshan area in Guangdong Province, the Yingge dance is renowned for its martial arts movements, with dramatic leaps, turns and jumps all contributing to its charm. The energetic Yingge Dance dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is often performed during traditional Chinese festivals.

"This is the first time for me to watch the Yingge dance personally, which is very spectacular and wonderful. I think more such shows should be held during the Spring Festival to help inherit our culture," said Ms. Fung from Hong Kong.

Festive atmosphere of Greater Bay Area enhanced by cultural heritage performances

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM