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

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned the killing of a UN peacekeeper in southern Lebanon and urged all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement.

Sgt. Milovan Jovanovic, a Serbian peacekeeper serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was killed on Wednesday when a mortar struck a UN position near Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, according to a statement by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Meanwhile, two other peacekeepers were wounded in the incident and are receiving treatment at a UNIFIL medical facility. An investigation is underway, the statement said.

A total of seven UNIFIL peacekeepers have been killed since hostilities escalated in Lebanon on March 2 following the Israeli-U.S. war on Iran.

"Attacks on peacekeepers must stop. They are grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and may amount to war crimes," the statement said.

Guterres called on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law, ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, and respect the inviolability of UN property and assets. He also stressed that all attacks on peacekeepers must be promptly investigated and that those responsible must be held accountable.

"The secretary general again urges all actors to respect the cessation of hostilities that was announced on April 16. The UN is committed to supporting the diplomatic efforts towards an extension of the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Resolution 1701," said Dujarric.

UN chief condemns killing of UN peacekeeper in Lebanon