Traditional activities held across China to celebrate upcoming Lantern Festival

Traditional activities have been held across China to welcome the arrival of the Lantern Festival, drawing eager holidaymakers to culturally rich destinations.

Wednesday marks the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first month of Chinese lunar calendar

The lantern festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar, marks the end of the New Year celebration. This year, it falls on Wednesday, or Feb 12.

In Xianyou County of Putian City in east China's Fujian Province, a grand dragon lantern parade with the participation of over 1,000 people was held on Monday.

Lion dances, drone performances and fireworks were also on display in the county in anticipation of the Lantern Festival.

"Experiencing the celebration in person feels amazing. I think it is really boisterous and thrilling," said Zheng Hehong, a tourist from north China's Hebei Province.

Travelers also flocked to Dalian City of northeast China's Liaoning Province for the holiday, where a special folk activity known as water lantern releasing was held on Monday.

Nightfall saw the release of nearly 400 delicate water lanterns, each made with eco-friendly degradable paper. Celebratory firecrackers went off over the water as the lanterns sailed into the dark, bearing the wishes of their senders.

"When I was a little girl, I used to release water lanterns with my family. Now I've grown up, I take my child to release water lanterns. This is quite meaningful," said Yu Wenping, a local resident.

The lantern show in Mizhi Town of southwest China's Yunnan Province has a history of more than 300 years.

Its performers are locals from various villages. Thousands participated, ranging from from three years old to over 80, drawn to traditional performances including lion dances, traditional lantern displays and folk songs.

"The show to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar has been a tradition for generations. Like my family, from the old to the young, we all can dance for the show," said Li Dexiang, a local villager.

Traditional activities held across China to celebrate upcoming Lantern Festival

Iran has warned that it will respond decisively to any act of aggression, saying it is "more prepared than ever" as it continues to face what it described as persistent threats and accusations from the United States and Israel.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Monday, saying that countries in the region clearly understand that insecurity is "contagious" and that its impact will not be limited to Iran alone.

Relying on Iran's own capabilities and experience accumulated over the years, Iran is now "more prepared than ever" and will deliver a "comprehensive and firm" response to any act of aggression.

Iran has experienced a new period of unrest, after protests which started peacefully in late December eventually turned violent, resulting in significant casualties of both civilians and law enforcement personnel and widespread damage to public property. Iran has blamed the United States and Israel for infiltrating the demonstrations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently threatened military intervention in Iran, with the U.S. having already bombed several Iranian nuclear sites last June amid a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

Iran warns of comprehensive, firm response to US-Israeli threats