A folk parade featuring over 3,000 performers flooded the streets on Feb 26 in Haidong City, northwest China's Qinghai Province, to welcome the upcoming Lantern Festival, enchanting spectators with dazzling dragon and lion dances and a rich array of traditional local performances.
The Lantern Festival, which will fall on March 3 this year, marks the end of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. The parade included 27 troupes and over 3,000 performers. Accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drum and gong bands, it began with stunning stilt shows that instantly electrified the crowd.
The dragon and lion dances were a highlight, with dragons soaring and leaping through the air, and lions playfully shaking their heads and wagging their tails, drawing waves of cheers from the spectators.
Following behind, troupes holding colorful fans and flower bouquets added vibrancy to the parade, along with the traditional Tu ethnic group's Anzhao dance. Performers engaged warmly with spectators along the route, including some international visitors who were impressed with China's unique cultural charm.
"It's so lively here. We're so lucky to have this chance to experience the festive spirit and the warmth of the Chinese people," said Xenia, a foreign spectator attending the parade.
3,000-strong folk parade celebrates Lantern Festival in China's Qinghai
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has described his visit to China as highly significant and productive, with the two sides holding in-depth talks on bilateral relations and all the pressing issues Iran currently faces.
Araghchi, who visited China on Wednesday and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said in an interview with Iranian state-run IRIB news agency that post-war Iran is entering a new phase of international cooperation.
"Our Chinese friends also believe that Iran after the war is different from Iran before the war, that it has proven its capabilities and strength. Therefore, a new phase of cooperation between Iran and other countries lies ahead," he said.
The foreign minister said the two sides reviewed a full range of current issues and yielded fruitful results.
"We reviewed all the current issues, matters related to the war and how to end it, the negotiations currently under way, issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities, matters related to sanctions, and all bilateral issues. The issue of the Strait of Hormuz, which was one of our serious topics, and the necessity of respecting the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all existing viewpoints, were also discussed," he said.
Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed
Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed
