Holiday celebrations with strong festive vibes in southwest China's Yunnan Province are attracting crowds of visitors thanks to the rich local traditions, cuisine, and culture.
Mojiang County is home to the Hani ethnic group. On Saturday, the second day of the May Day holiday, the Hani people were celebrating one of their most vibrant traditions, the Long-Street Banquet.
There was a grand open-air feast -- a hallmark of Hani culture. During major festivals, local families would line the streets with long rows of tables, and gather together to share food and music in celebration. This year, more than 100 tables have been set up, welcoming both residents and visitors to join in. And among the many dishes on offer, purple rice stands out as a local favorite, prized not only for its rich flavor but also for its deep cultural significance.
But this banquet is just one part of the county's 20th International Twins Festival. Located along the Tropic of Cancer, Mojiang is widely known as China's "Town of Twins", with a twin birth rate significantly higher than the global average.
This year, more than 1,000 pairs of twins have gathered here, including participants from nearly 20 countries. Earlier today, they took part in a vibrant parade through the town, greeting residents and visitors along the route. It's a rare sight, and one that truly brings the festival to life.
There is no shortage of experiences for visitors. Visitors can join traditional circle dances around a bonfire, while live performances by local singers add even more energy to the festive atmosphere. Another well-known tradition sees people exchange blessings by smearing an edible black powder on each other's faces, symbolizing good luck.
Unique traditions, culture in Yunnan boost holiday economy
China's Ministry of Commerce on Saturday issued a blocking ban prohibiting any recognition, enforcement or compliance with U.S. sanctions imposed on five Chinese companies on the grounds of their alleged involvement in Iranian petroleum transactions.
The five companies are Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refining Co., Ltd., Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd., Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group Co., Ltd., and Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co., Ltd.
According to the MOC announcement, the U.S. measures include placing the companies on the Specially Designated Nationals List, freezing their assets, and banning transactions with them.
Since 2025, the United States, under its executive orders targeting other countries, has imposed sanctions on these Chinese firms for their alleged involvement in petroleum transactions with Iran, an MOC spokesperson, in response to the ban, said on Saturday.
The U.S. measures, the spokesperson said, improperly prohibit or restrict normal economic and trade activities between Chinese companies and third countries as well as their citizens, legal persons or other organizations, in violation of international law and basic norms of international relations.
To safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons and other organizations, the ministry issued the ban based on the Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-territorial Application of Foreign Legislation and Other Measures, the spokesperson noted.
The spokesperson reiterated that the Chinese government consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack authorization from the United Nations and the basis of international law.
A concrete action to implement the aforementioned Rules in accordance with the law, the issuance of the ban does not affect China's fulfillment of its international obligations, nor does it affect China's protection of the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-invested enterprises in accordance with the law, the spokesperson added.
The ministry will continue to closely monitor the improper extraterritorial application of foreign laws and measures, and will carry out further work in accordance with the law if such situations arise, the spokesperson said.
China blocks U.S. sanctions on five Chinese firms over alleged Iran oil ties
