A grand flag-raising ceremony was held at the Tian'anmen Square on Thursday to mark the first day of 2026, with large crowds of people watching the solemn and dignified moment despite biting cold.
As soldiers on the Tian'anmen Rostrum blew bugles, members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guard of Honor began marching toward the square, escorting a giant red five-star national flag of the People's Republic of China.
The ceremony unfolds as a patriotic gathering, with visitors braving the cold winter morning. They've waited hours to share this moment of national pride, in the hope of extending their best wishes for the new year.
As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the military band began playing the Chinese national anthem, and the giant five-star red flag was hoisted to the top of the mast.
When the flag reached the highest point of the mast, the crowd at the square erupted in applause and cheers.
The band played "Ode to the Motherland", and then white doves, symbolizing hope for peace, were released at the ceremony.
New Year flag-raising ceremony held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia rang in the year of 2026 with spectacular light and fireworks displays at their landmarks, igniting the night sky at the stroke of midnight on Jan 1.
Amidst the countdown and cheers from the crowd, the iconic 828-meter-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE illuminated the skyline with "Happy New Year" in Arabic, English, and Chinese on the tower's LED screens.
The eight-minute visually stunning show at the world's tallest skyscraper also featured drone performances and 3D projection mapping, vividly showcasing Dubai's cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology.
The New Year celebrations in downtown Dubai will be extended to eight days for the first time, running from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, according to local authorities.
Australia also welcomed the New Year with dazzling fireworks in Sydney, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world to gather by the seaside to share the festive joy.
The Sydney celebration featured two separate fireworks displays – an 8-minute show at 21:00 and a 12-minute one at the midnight. Fireworks were launched from water, land, and aerial platforms at landmarks including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, spanning seven kilometers along the harbor and showcasing 40,000 different pyrotechnic effects.
This annual event in the Southern Hemisphere city is one of the world's most spectacular New Year celebrations, drawing millions of spectators every year. On Wednesday, people from across the globe arrived early at viewing locations to share this special moment with families and friends.
"We spend the time together with friends because everybody is away from their families, otherwise maybe you'll get a little bit homesick," said Hendrik, an Estonian working in Australia.
"My New Year's wish for my wife is to become healthy after I am pretty much healthy again," said Atthians, a German tourist.
UAE, Australia ring in New Year with spectacular fireworks
