China marks Chongyang Festival with nationwide events honoring seniors

Communities across China marked the Chongyang Festival with festive events honoring the elderly, highlighting a nationwide emphasis on respect and care for senior citizens.

Also known as the Double Ninth Festival or Seniors' Day, the Chongyang Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It fell on Wednesday this year.

In Tai'an City in east China's Shandong Province, seniors climbed the historic Mount Tai, ascending its ancient stone steps to enjoy panoramic views of the city and embrace the traditional custom of "climbing high" on this day.

In Fuzhou City in east China's Fujian Province, laughter filled the air at a lively senior-friendly fun sports event. Games such as "bouncing ping-pong balls" and "water-bottle bowling" not only brought smiles to senior participants' faces, but also helped improve their hand-eye coordination.

In Jianshi County in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in central China's Hubei Province, around 1,000 elderly residents danced to upbeat rhythms in a vibrant performance of the Tujia ethnic group's traditional "Baishou Dance", showcasing the energy and spirit of China's aging population in the new era.

Long-table banquets brought warmth to seniors in Pinghu City in east China's Zhejiang Province and in Huainan City in east China's Anhui Province. Gathered around steaming plates of Chongyang cake, a symbolic treat for longevity and good health, elders shared stories and cherished the company of friends and neighbors.

In Shanghai's Minhang District, seniors immersed themselves in hands-on experiences of intangible cultural heritage, including rice cake pounding, paper cutting, and bamboo weaving.

In Bei'an City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, medical teams visited local nursing homes to offer free health check-ups and consultations to the elderly.

Looking to the future of elderly care, Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province unveiled more than 100 innovative smart elderly care products designed for a wide range of applications, including medical assistance, rehabilitation training, and daily companionship.

Beijing launched its first "senior-friendly smart technology experience center", featuring smart home solutions such as height-adjustable sinks with grab bars and fall-detection alert systems. The center provides a comprehensive, real-life demonstration of how technologies can deliver comfortable, safe, and convenient support for older adults in everyday life.

China marks Chongyang Festival with nationwide events honoring seniors

A youth march themed "Here with Fidel" was held in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday to call for an end to the U.S. blockade.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and other party and state leaders participated in the event.

At 08:00, members of Cuba's Union of Young Communists and the Jose Marti Pioneers Organization, along with people from various sectors gathered at the iconic Malecón waterfront promenade in the capital. The participants first delivered speeches and staged artistic performances to express their determination to inherit history, oppose the blockade, and defend the revolutionary cause. Following this, the parade, featuring cyclists and motorcyclists, set off from the José Martí Sports Stadium.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's birth and April 4 is the anniversary of the founding of the Union of Young Communists in 1962.

One participant said that Cuba does not deserve the unjust treatment it has endured for decades.

"Cuba is a country of peace, a country of love, and it does not deserve this unjust blockade that we are currently facing. The youth at the centenary of Fidel Castro are stepping up to defend and support the revolution. We will not stop because Cuba is a country that resists and lives,” said a participant.

Another participant spoke of the difficult times facing the nation and the essential role of young people.

"We are living through very complex times in our country. Amid all this, young people must play a fundamental role. Here we are; we arrived by bicycle, and some have come on foot. Hopefully, this message reaches the world. I hope that young people from different nations can connect with each other, coming together more and more to strive for a better planet," he said.

Cuban youth hold march to protest U.S. blockade