Water-splashing festival in Hainan attracts int'l tourists

A water-splashing festival kicked off on Wednesday in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County in south China's Hainan Province, attracting both locals and foreign tourists to splash water that symbolizes blessings.

A traditional ritual observed by the ancestors of the Li ethnic group has evolved into the festive celebration for all.

This year's festival features more interactive experiences and runs longer than usual, continuing through Saturday. During the event, participants can also enjoy immersive water shows and ethnic art performances, as well as join electronic music parties and stand-up comedy performances.

International tourists from eight countries have come as a group to take part. They joined locals in water fights along the county's main streets, enjoying the unique blessing of cool water.

"I think this activity is really fun. It's the first time for me to take part, and if I have the chance next time, I will come again," said Oliveira Leticia, a tourist from Equatorial Guinea. "We also have a water-splashing festival in Myanmar, but it's different. After coming to Baoting, I also thought a little about my hometown. I think water-splashing represents the New Year, so perhaps from this day onward, it can become a very good beginning. It makes us feel very touched and happy. I've met many friends here. The people are very humorous, so I feel a sense of warmth," said Khaing Phyu, a tourist from Myanmar.

"I saw this event three years ago, but I didn't have the chance to come. This is my first time here, and it's really, really fun. I saw a lot of videos and thought, 'Wow, that looks fun!' I've only been here for one minute, and my clothes are already soaked. I'm happy!" said Jan Kerekes, a tourist from Canada.

Water-splashing festival in Hainan attracts int'l tourists

A ceremony was held Thursday morning at Beijing's Biyun Temple to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, one of China's revered revolutionary forefathers, with tributes paid at his cenotaph.

During the ceremony's first round, representatives from the General Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the Beijing municipal government, as well as Sun's relatives, overseas Chinese and international friends, stood in silence for three minutes, presented floral baskets and bowed three times before a statue of Sun.

It was presided over by Zheng Jianbang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang.

In the second round, representatives of people from Taiwan paid their tribute in the same fashion.

Born in 1866, Sun led the Revolution of 1911 more than a century ago to abolish the absolute monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years.

On March 12, 1925, he died in Beijing and his remains were kept in Biyun Temple at Fragrant Hills in the western suburbs of Beijing before being transferred to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing in 1929.

Ceremony held at Beijing temple to pay tribute to Sun Yat-sen