Diverse celebrations held worldwide to welcome Chinese New Year

As the Chinese New Year approaches, an array of celebrating events has been held around the world to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Horse, which begins on February 17 this year.

The Chinese Embassy in Colombia hosted a temple fair in the country's capital Bogota ahead of the Chinese New Year. Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Zhu Jingyang attended the event and delivered a speech. The fair drew large crowds, featuring spectacular performances including folk dances.

At a celebrating event in the Spanish capital Madrid last week, Yolanda Diaz Perez, Spain's second vice president and minister of labour and social economy, delivered a speech, saying that Spain and China should jointly commit to promoting mutual respect and exchanges between different civilizations.

The event in Madrid included a reception, a concert, and a show of Chinese cultural innovations. Guests at the event savored distinctive Chinese delicacies while engaging with demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage.

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, and Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra collaborated to present classic repertoire from both nations at the National Music Auditorium of Spain. 　　 In Kenya, the Chinese Embassy hosted an event celebrating the Year of the Horse. More than 400 guests including representatives from Chinese associations and enterprises in Kenya, overseas Chinese, and people from various sectors in the country attended the event.

A Chinese troupe presented a dance show with the theme of silk road at the Kenya National Theater for the local Chinese community.

The launch ceremony for a series of celebrations was also held at the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

The event featured demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage, including erhu performances and Sichuan Opera face-changing, as well as a promotional video for the China Media Group's much-anticipated Spring Festival Gala.

Across various locations in London, the series of events will feature diverse activities such as folk culture demonstrations, traditional Spring Festival temple fairs, and cultural performances.

Diverse celebrations held worldwide to welcome Chinese New Year

The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded on Sunday after leaders from the United States and Europe clashed for days over the future of the transatlantic partnership and the global order, laying bare their rifts.

In his closing remarks, MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said this year's Munich Security Report, titled "Under Destruction," had sparked diverse views. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that the international system is not only under attack but "already gone," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for its "renewal and restoration."

Ischinger pointed to mounting questions over whether "what we used to call the West" still shares common values, adheres to the same rules, and truly remains on the same team.

He also referred to warnings voiced by participants from Denmark and Greenland, noting that if certain lines are crossed, they must be taken seriously.

Addressing the Ukraine crisis, Ischinger described its outcome as an "existential question for Europe" that will shape the continent's future in multiple ways. He stressed that this reality should be recognized not only across Europe but also in the United States.

The 62nd MSC, held from Friday to Sunday, focused on issues including European security and defense, the future of transatlantic relations, and competing visions for the global order.

62nd Munich Security Conference ends amid doubts over transatlantic ties