Bench dragon parade, dance mark Spring Festival in China's Jiangsu, Jiangxi

China

Bench dragon parade, dance mark Spring Festival in China's Jiangsu, Jiangxi

2026-02-19 19:29 Last Updated At：20:57

Dazzling bench dragons have wound their way through the streets in eastern Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Jiangxi, as part of a centuries-old tradition to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival.

In many parts of China, people traditionally decorate scores of benches with dragon-shaped lanterns and link them together for parade and dance, to wish for a bountiful year ahead.

Recently, a 40-meter-long bench dragon has rambled the streets of Zhuxi Ancient Town in east China's Jiangsu Province, wowing crowds of visitors.

"I came here with my friends today specifically to see the bench dragon parade. Seeing the 40-meter-long bench dragon winding through the alley was truly amazing. This immersive folk experience is so interesting," said Li Yuqi, a tourist.

In Xihu Lijia Village in east China's Jiangxi Province, a 600-meter-long bench dragon, carried by more than 300 villagers, began a parade at 19:00 on Wednesday, lighting up the night sky.

After the parade, villagers performed a bench dragon dance while fireworks exploded in the sky behind them, stunning viewers.

"When the dragon lantern dance performed, the whole street was filled with joy and the atmosphere was very festive. I feel the unique charm of traditional folk customs," said Wu Wenqiu, another tourist.

A similar bench dragon parade was held in a scenic spot in Jiangxi Province on Wednesday night.

Carried by 45 young men, the 60-meter-long dragon has 38 sections, each with a 1.5-meter-long wooden bench adorned with colorful lanterns.

Previously lit by candlelight, it now uses rechargeable LED lights, which are both safer and brighter, making it even more spectacular at night.

The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China, and is traditionally celebrated with family reunion feasts, festive delicacies and wishes of good luck for the year ahead. Chinese New Year's Day marked the start of the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 zodiac animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival

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.