Month-long Hainan Island Carnival kicks off in Haikou

The 2025 (26th) Hainan Island Carnival kicked off on Saturday in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, marking the start of various activities to be held across the island.

Running through August 31, the event revolves around the theme of "cool island summer", offering residents and visitors from home and abroad immersive new tourism experiences and vibrant scenes that highlight the integration of marine culture, leisure sports, local cuisine, and coastal festivities.

On the opening night, the island embraced a jubilant atmosphere as the festivities combined dazzling visuals, island flavors, and lively parades, transforming the tropical province into a haven of summer delight.

"It's a feeling that coastal cities elsewhere just don't offer. It seems to me that the people in Hainan have a strong sense of happiness. The whole atmosphere here is wonderful. The sunset today was super gorgeous, looking like burning clouds, and the starry sky is stunning. The setting is incredibly well done and very successful," said Xiao Bo, a tourist.

On Saturday, the night sky over Haikou was lit up by a grand drone performance, as more than a thousand drones formed intricate patterns featuring elements unique to Hainan.

The dazzling images glowed against the coastal sky, igniting gasps of awe and admiration from visitors.

Spectators captured the breathtaking moment with their phones, and the jubilant vibes reached their peak.

"The drone show is absolutely stunning. It's my first time seeing a drone performance. It was intricately designed with incredibly diverse forms, showcasing many of Hainan's symbols like its mascots and iconic dishes. It made the trip totally worthwhile," another tourist named Bao Ruiying said.

As one of China's flagship tourism festivals, the Hainan Island Carnival continues to showcase the island's distinctive charm and high-quality tourism offerings, reinforcing its reputation as a premier global tropical destination.

Month-long Hainan Island Carnival kicks off in Haikou

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival