As the New Year approaches, cities and towns across China are lighting up with festive decorations and colorful blooms, as a joyful holiday atmosphere takes hold.
On the ancient city wall of Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, festive and auspicious decorations have been put in place. In Nanjing, in east China's Jiangsu Province, streets are adorned with Chinese knots and red lanterns. Meanwhile, in Zhangzhou, in east China's Fujian Province, fresh flowers line parks and major roads, creating a peaceful and celebratory mood.
Flower markets across the country are filled with a wide variety of colorful blooms, attracting growing numbers of visitors who are enjoying the flowers and the festive New Year atmosphere.
"We really love flowers. I bought all these orchids and Kalanchoe. They bring joy and create a festive atmosphere, and both adults and children like them," said Beijing resident Qu Yan.
People in Jilin City in northeast China's Jilin Province, Yinchuan in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Funan County in east China’s Anhui Province are enjoying light-themed New Year activities, including colorful street decorations, lanterns in a variety of shapes, and drone light shows.
Festive spirit spreads across China as New Year approaches
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had seized six more settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, while Ukraine claimed the same day that its forces had attacked a Russian oil refinery.
In its latest report, the ministry said that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces had taken control of four settlements in the Donetsk region and two in the Zaporizhzhia region. It added that Russian forces struck energy facilities serving Ukraine's military-industrial enterprises and that the country's air defense systems shot down 370 Ukrainian drones.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a report issued at 20:00 Sunday that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces had carried out strikes on Russian targets, including assembly areas and command posts. It added that Ukrainian troops had repelled Russian offensives in the Slobozhansk, Kupyansk and Liman directions.
A total of 103 battles had taken place on the frontlines in six directions as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Ukrainian side.
The Ukrainian forces said they launched an attack on the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region early in the morning, sparking a fire.
In addition, the Ukrainian army struck other Russian targets, including a storage and maintenance facility for uncrewed boats, ferry crossings, and a site for UAV storage.
Russia reports capturing 6 more settlements, Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery
Russia reports capturing 6 more settlements, Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery
