China celebrates Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxiao Festival. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and signifies the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Beijing glows: A phoenix rises for lantern fest

China celebrates lantern festival

Members of the Yingge team perform the Chaoyang Yingge dance during the Chinese New Year celebration in Paris. Watch this report for more details!

Chinese New Year celebrated with Yingge dance parade in France

The much-awaited Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year celebrations has officially begun today, January 29, 2025. Marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the festival is observed by millions across the world, with public holidays extending from January 28 to February 4. The celebrations will conclude with the Lantern Festival on February 12, symbolising new beginnings and unity.
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<h2>The significance of the Year of the snake &nbsp;</h2>
According to the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of 12 animals, influencing the year&rsquo;s energy and characteristics. The Snake, representing wisdom, intuition, and elegance, takes centre stage in 2025. Feng shui expert Thierry Chow suggests that this year may bring significant changes, making adaptability crucial.
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<h2>What to expect in 2025 &nbsp;</h2>
Astrological forecasts indicate that 2025, influenced by the fire, metal, and earth elements, could be a year of heightened tensions and unpredictability. Experts warn of possible global challenges, urging people to stay vigilant and embrace flexibility in their personal and professional lives.
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<h2>Chinese New Year 2025: History &nbsp;</h2>
Chinese New Year traces its origins to the legend of Nian, a mythical beast believed to wreak havoc on villages. To protect themselves, people used red decorations and firecrackers, traditions that continue to define the celebrations today.
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Family reunions, grand feasts, parades, and the exchange of red envelopes with money are key highlights of the festival. The celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival, where glowing lanterns light up the night sky, symbolising hope, renewal, and the promise of a prosperous year ahead.
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | World | According to the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of 12 animals, influencing the year’s energy and characteristics. 

The much-awaited Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year celebrations has officially begun today, January 29, 2025. Marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the festival is observed by millions across the world, with public holidays extending from January 28 to February 4. The celebrations will conclude with the Lantern Festival on February 12, symbolising new beginnings and unity. Also Read | Russian delegation supports Syria's ‘sovereignty' following fall of Bashar al-Assad The significance of the Year of the snake According to the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of 12 animals, influencing the year’s energy and characteristics. The Snake, representing wisdom, intuition, and elegance, takes centre stage in 2025. Feng shui expert Thierry Chow suggests that this year may bring significant changes, making adaptability crucial. Also Read | India rejects Canada's election meddling claims, fires back with interference allegations What to expect in 2025 Astrological forecasts indicate that 2025, influenced by the fire, metal, and earth elements, could be a year of heightened tensions and unpredictability. Experts warn of possible global challenges, urging people to stay vigilant and embrace flexibility in their personal and professional lives. Also Read | Donald Trump administration pulls plug on 'funding of condoms in Gaza', Elon Musk reacts Chinese New Year 2025: History Chinese New Year traces its origins to the legend of Nian, a mythical beast believed to wreak havoc on villages. To protect themselves, people used red decorations and firecrackers, traditions that continue to define the celebrations today. Also Read | FLOTUS Melania Trump's official portrait carries a hidden message that... Family reunions, grand feasts, parades, and the exchange of red envelopes with money are key highlights of the festival. The celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival, where glowing lanterns light up the night sky, symbolising hope, renewal, and the promise of a prosperous year ahead. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese New Year 2025: Date, history, significance and all you need to know

The lantern festival lights up the Chinese New Year celebration.

Chinese new year celebrations kick off

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is celebrated by billions of people worldwide. 2025 has arrived as the 'Year of the Snake' in the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle based on animals from Chinese mythology. In 2025, it falls on January 29, marking the start of the 'Year of the Snake'. This time is filled with celebrations, traditions and rituals that bring families together to honour the past and welcome the future with hope and good fortune.
<h2>Significance of the Year of the Snake</h2>
'Year of the Snake' represents wisdom, intuition, and transformation. In 2025, it&rsquo;s the 'Wood Snake' year, which encourages people to embrace change and growth. It&rsquo;s a time to set intentions for the year ahead and wish for prosperity and good fortune.
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Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, honouring traditions, and looking forward to a bright new year filled with happiness and success. It&rsquo;s a joyful celebration that brings people together to celebrate new beginnings and the promise of a prosperous year.
<h2>Chinese New Year: History</h2>
Chinese New Year has a long history and is deeply tied to the lunar calendar. According to legend, the holiday began as a way to protect people from a mythical beast called Nian, who would appear on New Year&rsquo;s Eve. Over time, people created celebrations to drive the beast away. The holiday also marks the end of winter and the start of spring, a time for renewal and fresh beginnings.
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/bioluminescent-sea-sparkles-light-up-tasmanias-coastline-raising-environmental-concerns-8583098"> </a>
<h2>Chinese New Year: Traditions and rituals</h2>
During Chinese New Year, there are many customs to bring good luck. People clean their homes to get rid of bad energy and decorate them with red symbols of good fortune. It's common for elders to give children red envelopes filled with money, wishing them prosperity. Families also visit the graves of their ancestors to honour them. Wearing new clothes and red decorations is traditional for a fresh start in the new year.
(With inputs from agencies)
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World | Trending: 2025 has arrived as the 'Year of the Snake' in the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle based on animals from Chinese mythology. In 2025, it falls on January 29.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is celebrated by billions of people worldwide. 2025 has arrived as the 'Year of the Snake' in the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle based on animals from Chinese mythology. In 2025, it falls on January 29, marking the start of the 'Year of the Snake'. This time is filled with celebrations, traditions and rituals that bring families together to honour the past and welcome the future with hope and good fortune. Significance of the Year of the Snake 'Year of the Snake' represents wisdom, intuition, and transformation. In 2025, it’s the 'Wood Snake' year, which encourages people to embrace change and growth. It’s a time to set intentions for the year ahead and wish for prosperity and good fortune. Also read | Bioluminescent 'sea sparkles' light up Tasmania’s coastline, raising environmental concerns Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, honouring traditions, and looking forward to a bright new year filled with happiness and success. It’s a joyful celebration that brings people together to celebrate new beginnings and the promise of a prosperous year. Chinese New Year: History Chinese New Year has a long history and is deeply tied to the lunar calendar. According to legend, the holiday began as a way to protect people from a mythical beast called Nian, who would appear on New Year’s Eve. Over time, people created celebrations to drive the beast away. The holiday also marks the end of winter and the start of spring, a time for renewal and fresh beginnings. Also read | Puerto Rico suffers island-wide power blackout hours before New Year Chinese New Year: Traditions and rituals During Chinese New Year, there are many customs to bring good luck. People clean their homes to get rid of bad energy and decorate them with red symbols of good fortune. It's common for elders to give children red envelopes filled with money, wishing them prosperity. Families also visit the graves of their ancestors to honour them. Wearing new clothes and red decorations is traditional for a fresh start in the new year. (With inputs from agencies)

Year of the Snake: History, significance and date of Chinese New Year 2025

China's popular tourist destinations are filled with tourists immersing themselves the festive spirit of spring festival holiday to celebrate the 2024 Chinese New Year.

Chinese cities going all out to celebrate 2024 Chinese New Year

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Saturday (Feb 10) shared a stunning three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula, which is one of the brightest nebulae, to mark the occasion of Chinese New Year, a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.&nbsp;

Orion Nebula is visible to the naked eye in the night sky with an apparent magnitude of 4.0 and the 3-D view was created using data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) mission, which is a joint programme between NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). SOFIA is a telescope capable of making observations from onboard an aeroplane.&nbsp;

In the media posted by NASA, the Orion Nebula appears to be in the shape of a dragon. The nebula has a blue centre, with red wispy fragments on the outer detail.⁣ &nbsp;

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The current year, that is 2024 is the year of dragon, also known as Loong. It is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.&nbsp;

In an Instagram post, NASA wrote, "Welcome to the year of the Dragon. In this three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula – Earth's closest star-formation nursery – was created using data from the SOFIA mission."&nbsp;

Here's is the 3-D view:&nbsp;

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NASA said that the 3-D view reveals the detailed structure of the nebula, including a "bubble" that has been blown clear of gas and dust by a powerful stellar wind.&nbsp;

The US-based space agency said that massive stars can regulate star formation around them, and the SOFIA mission helped astronomers better understand this effect.⁣

According to NASA, SOFIA was a mission of discovery, revealing "unseen – and sometimes unseeable – parts of our universe".&nbsp;

While science flights have ended, SOFIA's data from a total of 732 nights observing over the course of the mission are publicly available for scientists to study and conduct further research in the future," NASA added.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Saturday (Feb 10) shared a stunning three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula, which is one of the brightest nebulae, to mark the occasion of Chinese New Year, a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Saturday (Feb 10) shared a stunning three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula, which is one of the brightest nebulae, to mark the occasion of Chinese New Year, a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Orion Nebula is visible to the naked eye in the night sky with an apparent magnitude of 4.0 and the 3-D view was created using data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) mission, which is a joint programme between NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). SOFIA is a telescope capable of making observations from onboard an aeroplane. In the media posted by NASA, the Orion Nebula appears to be in the shape of a dragon. The nebula has a blue centre, with red wispy fragments on the outer detail.⁣ Also read: Scientists reveal heat can behave like sound in superfluid The current year, that is 2024 is the year of dragon, also known as Loong. It is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. In an Instagram post, NASA wrote, "Welcome to the year of the Dragon. In this three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula – Earth's closest star-formation nursery – was created using data from the SOFIA mission." Here's is the 3-D view: View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × Also read: NASA launches airborne assault to combat pollution in Asia NASA said that the 3-D view reveals the detailed structure of the nebula, including a "bubble" that has been blown clear of gas and dust by a powerful stellar wind. The US-based space agency said that massive stars can regulate star formation around them, and the SOFIA mission helped astronomers better understand this effect.⁣ According to NASA, SOFIA was a mission of discovery, revealing "unseen – and sometimes unseeable – parts of our universe". While science flights have ended, SOFIA's data from a total of 732 nights observing over the course of the mission are publicly available for scientists to study and conduct further research in the future," NASA added. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: NASA shares stunning 3D view of Orion Nebula to mark Chinese New Year

Freezing rain, snow and ice have snarled traffic in central, eastern and southern China as millions of people travel home ahead of the Spring Festival holiday in the blistering cold that has swept through parts of the country over the past week.

Southern Hunan and central Hubei provinces bore the brunt of the severe weather, which deteriorated over the weekend, slowing highway traffic to a crawl, cancelling hundreds of trains and delaying flights.

The disruptions coincide with the biggest mass travel migration in the world as people across the country flock home to see their families for the Chinese New Year holiday, which officially begins on Saturday.

Over the past few days, videos across Chinese social media showed images of people stranded on trains and trapped in cars on snowy highways in several cities, including Jingzhou in the south of Hubei.

One driver was trapped in a car for three days, media outlet Yicai reported, and passengers heading for Wuhan, to the east of Jingzhou, were stuck on a train for hours after power was lost amid freezing temperatures, social media videos showed.

"This weather in Wuhan can drive you crazy, you have to walk 20,000 steps every day to get to work, and then you get home and the power goes out because the wires are down," one user complained on social media platform Weibo.

Hundreds of trains were delayed or suspended, and throngs of passengers stranded at railway stations in Wuhan, local media said. Runways at the Tianhe Airport in Wuhan were temporarily closed Tuesday, state media CCTV reported.

Photos from the China Meteorological Administration showed broken trees scattered across roads in Hunan, felled by freezing rain. In 10 provinces, about 129 sections of highways were closed, according to Beijing News.

At least two people have died in snow-related accidents. One person in Hubei and another from Hunan were killed as awnings in farmers markets collapsed under heavy snow, according to state media reports.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management and two other government departments sent 20,000 disaster relief supply items to Hunan, including thick quilts, according to the China Daily.

The severe weather is expected for another few days, according to China National Emergency Broadcasting. Several cities upgraded weather advisories and emergency response plans.

Provinces including Hubei are clearing ice off power lines, state media reported. Authorities in Hubei said they were clearing out tunnels and bridges, where thick ice has caused choke points.

The province has instructed hundreds of highway toll stations to enforce traffic control measures, including letting vehicles through for free.

China's ministry of finance and ministry of transport issued 141 million yuan ($19.6 million) to support 11 provinces and municipalities for highway snow and ice removal.

China's Central Meteorological Observatory predicted more rain, snow and freezing weather in the south for the first half of this week, but said conditions would improve starting Thursday.

Freezing rain, snow and ice have snarled traffic in central, eastern and southern China as millions of people travel home ahead of the Spring Festival holiday in the blistering cold that has swept through parts of the country over the past week.

Freezing rain, snow and ice have snarled traffic in central, eastern and southern China as millions of people travel home ahead of the Spring Festival holiday in the blistering cold that has swept through parts of the country over the past week. Southern Hunan and central Hubei provinces bore the brunt of the severe weather, which deteriorated over the weekend, slowing highway traffic to a crawl, cancelling hundreds of trains and delaying flights. The disruptions coincide with the biggest mass travel migration in the world as people across the country flock home to see their families for the Chinese New Year holiday, which officially begins on Saturday. Over the past few days, videos across Chinese social media showed images of people stranded on trains and trapped in cars on snowy highways in several cities, including Jingzhou in the south of Hubei. One driver was trapped in a car for three days, media outlet Yicai reported, and passengers heading for Wuhan, to the east of Jingzhou, were stuck on a train for hours after power was lost amid freezing temperatures, social media videos showed. "This weather in Wuhan can drive you crazy, you have to walk 20,000 steps every day to get to work, and then you get home and the power goes out because the wires are down," one user complained on social media platform Weibo. Hundreds of trains were delayed or suspended, and throngs of passengers stranded at railway stations in Wuhan, local media said. Runways at the Tianhe Airport in Wuhan were temporarily closed Tuesday, state media CCTV reported. Photos from the China Meteorological Administration showed broken trees scattered across roads in Hunan, felled by freezing rain. In 10 provinces, about 129 sections of highways were closed, according to Beijing News. At least two people have died in snow-related accidents. One person in Hubei and another from Hunan were killed as awnings in farmers markets collapsed under heavy snow, according to state media reports. China's Ministry of Emergency Management and two other government departments sent 20,000 disaster relief supply items to Hunan, including thick quilts, according to the China Daily. The severe weather is expected for another few days, according to China National Emergency Broadcasting. Several cities upgraded weather advisories and emergency response plans. Provinces including Hubei are clearing ice off power lines, state media reported. Authorities in Hubei said they were clearing out tunnels and bridges, where thick ice has caused choke points. The province has instructed hundreds of highway toll stations to enforce traffic control measures, including letting vehicles through for free. China's ministry of finance and ministry of transport issued 141 million yuan ($19.6 million) to support 11 provinces and municipalities for highway snow and ice removal. China's Central Meteorological Observatory predicted more rain, snow and freezing weather in the south for the first half of this week, but said conditions would improve starting Thursday.

Snow, ice disrupt trips home for millions ahead of Chinese New Year

Mass shooting has taken place in California where at least nine people have died in a shooting incident at a Chinese New Year party. Dozens of police officers responded to reports for shooting that occurred after a large Lunar New Year celebration in a community east of Los Angeles.

California Shooting: Mass shooting at a Chinese New Year celebration venue

The streets of San Francisco, California on Saturday (February 19) witnessed people enjoying and celebrating the city's annual Lunar New Year parade after a hiatus last year. The celebrations were cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

People were banging drums, performing on stilts, lighting firecrackers as those who participated marched from downtown through the streets toward the Chinatown neighbourhood.&nbsp;

A 20-year-old student from Stanford University named Kevin Yang travelled from Palo Alto to see the parade. "It's really great to see Asian-American representation out here in San Francisco and seeing so many faces here, definitely means that people actually care about it, and that's something we really, really like about the city," Yang said.&nbsp;

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The Lunar New Year celebrations started worldwide on February 1 and the festivities are still underway. The Lunar New Year, which is also known as the Chinese New Year is celebrated as the Spring Festival in China and by the Asian diaspora.&nbsp;

The celebrations have marked the end of the Year of the Ox. As per the Chinese zodiac, Ox is termed as "the good helper". It is a symbol of diligence, strength, honesty, persistence and wealth. Now, the Year of the Tiger has started.&nbsp;

The ushered in the Year of the Tiger with a celebratory lion dance and the snap, crackle and pop of firecrackers. In Chinese traditions firecrackers are believed to scare off evil spirits from the year to come and bring good fortune.&nbsp;

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The holiday also brought hope for some in the Asian and Asian-American communities, which have suffered from rising rates of hate crimes during the past two years.&nbsp;

Statistics showed that 60 hate crimes were committed against Asians in San Francisco during 2021, up from only nine the year before, city police announced last month.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The streets of San Francisco, California on Saturday (February 19) witnessed people enjoying and celebrating the city's annual Lunar New Year parade after a hiatus last year.

The streets of San Francisco, California on Saturday (February 19) witnessed people enjoying and celebrating the city's annual Lunar New Year parade after a hiatus last year. The celebrations were cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. People were banging drums, performing on stilts, lighting firecrackers as those who participated marched from downtown through the streets toward the Chinatown neighbourhood. A 20-year-old student from Stanford University named Kevin Yang travelled from Palo Alto to see the parade. "It's really great to see Asian-American representation out here in San Francisco and seeing so many faces here, definitely means that people actually care about it, and that's something we really, really like about the city," Yang said. ALSO READ | Donald Trump took classified material from White House, says US National Archives The Lunar New Year celebrations started worldwide on February 1 and the festivities are still underway. The Lunar New Year, which is also known as the Chinese New Year is celebrated as the Spring Festival in China and by the Asian diaspora. The celebrations have marked the end of the Year of the Ox. As per the Chinese zodiac, Ox is termed as "the good helper". It is a symbol of diligence, strength, honesty, persistence and wealth. Now, the Year of the Tiger has started. The ushered in the Year of the Tiger with a celebratory lion dance and the snap, crackle and pop of firecrackers. In Chinese traditions firecrackers are believed to scare off evil spirits from the year to come and bring good fortune. ALSO READ | Passenger found alive on Greece-Italy ferry after blaze, 11 still missing The holiday also brought hope for some in the Asian and Asian-American communities, which have suffered from rising rates of hate crimes during the past two years. Statistics showed that 60 hate crimes were committed against Asians in San Francisco during 2021, up from only nine the year before, city police announced last month. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese New Year parade returns to San Francisco after COVID-19 hiatus

Warner Brothers’ live-action-animation hybrid film 'Tom and Jerry'&nbsp;is set to release in China on&nbsp;February 26, which will make it the first foreign film to hit theaters post&nbsp;Chinese New Year.

The lunar new year public holiday, which this year ran from Feb. 11 to 17, is typically the most lucrative movie-going week of the year, and thus one of the most competitive. Authorities impose an unofficial blackout on imported films during the period as a protectionist measure to ensure strong sales for local content.

According to Variety, most years, the major Chinese New Year tentpoles hold sway over the box office for weeks after their holiday debut, meaning that other strong local titles tend to hold off on premiering until those sales have crested. This year, seven big blockbusters debuted on Feb. 12, the first day of the lunar new year, with Wanda Film’s 'Detective Chinatown 3'&nbsp;and Beijing Culture’s 'Hi, Mom' quickly emerging as the two frontrunners.

'Tom and Jerry'&nbsp;will go up against those films on Friday, which marks the Lantern Festival celebrated at the end of the Chinese New Year period.

Directed by Tim Story (“Fantastic Four”) and written by Kevin Costello, the $50 million budgeted slapstick comedy reboots the classic frenemy cat and mouse pair first introduced in 1946. It tells the story of what happens after mouse Jerry takes up residence at a posh New York hotel, where a new staffer played by Chloe Grace Moretz is tasked with getting rid of him before an important celebrity wedding, and ends up employing the help of the cat Jerry. Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney and Ken Jeong also star.

The film was initially set to premiere in North American cinemas on March 5 but moved its date up to Feb. 26 in late December. It will release simultaneously on HBO Max.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Warner Brothers’ live-action-animation hybrid film 'Tom and Jerry' is set to release in China on February 26, which will make it the first foreign film to hit theaters post Chinese New Year.

Warner Brothers’ live-action-animation hybrid film 'Tom and Jerry' is set to release in China on February 26, which will make it the first foreign film to hit theaters post Chinese New Year. The lunar new year public holiday, which this year ran from Feb. 11 to 17, is typically the most lucrative movie-going week of the year, and thus one of the most competitive. Authorities impose an unofficial blackout on imported films during the period as a protectionist measure to ensure strong sales for local content. According to Variety, most years, the major Chinese New Year tentpoles hold sway over the box office for weeks after their holiday debut, meaning that other strong local titles tend to hold off on premiering until those sales have crested. This year, seven big blockbusters debuted on Feb. 12, the first day of the lunar new year, with Wanda Film’s 'Detective Chinatown 3' and Beijing Culture’s 'Hi, Mom' quickly emerging as the two frontrunners. 'Tom and Jerry' will go up against those films on Friday, which marks the Lantern Festival celebrated at the end of the Chinese New Year period. Directed by Tim Story (“Fantastic Four”) and written by Kevin Costello, the $50 million budgeted slapstick comedy reboots the classic frenemy cat and mouse pair first introduced in 1946. It tells the story of what happens after mouse Jerry takes up residence at a posh New York hotel, where a new staffer played by Chloe Grace Moretz is tasked with getting rid of him before an important celebrity wedding, and ends up employing the help of the cat Jerry. Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney and Ken Jeong also star. The film was initially set to premiere in North American cinemas on March 5 but moved its date up to Feb. 26 in late December. It will release simultaneously on HBO Max.

'Tom and Jerry' set as first foreign film to release in China after Chinese New Year

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well. The new year gala marked beginning Lunar New Year. CCTV's broadcast typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers.

"The New Year Gala director team is just stupid and vicious," said one of a number of users who took to Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, to criticise the skit.

"Is there any difference between Chinese people doing blackface and white people slanting their eyes to make fun of Asians?"

China's foreign ministry said the integration of cultural elements from other countries into Chinese shows was a sign of respect and the inclusion of the African segment was not a diplomatic issue.

"If anyone wants to seize on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala programme to make a fuss, or even sow discord in relations between China and African countries, they obviously have ulterior motives," it said in a statement to Reuters.

The new year gala had led to a controversy in 2018 as well. At that time a skit featuring actress Lou Naiming drew criticism. She appeared on stage in colourful garb, her face and arms coloured brown, carrying a fruit basket on her head and accompanied by someone costumed as a monkey.

This year's gala saw organisations and advocates for Africans in China lambast the show. The show aired on Thursday evening.

"While supporters of the practice allege that blackface centres on empathy &amp; realism, it’s difficult to disassociate it from a long history of minstrelsy &amp; fixation on problematic caricatures," Black China Caucus, an activist group, said on Twitter.

"Next year, we hope organizers decide to end this practice &amp; hire some of thousands of Black people living in many parts of China." 
&nbsp;

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has drawn criticism for broadcast of its new year gala in which performers were seen approximating African clothing. The performers had darkened their skin with make-up as well. The new year gala marked beginning Lunar New Year. CCTV's broadcast typically draws hundreds of millions of viewers. "The New Year Gala director team is just stupid and vicious," said one of a number of users who took to Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, to criticise the skit. "Is there any difference between Chinese people doing blackface and white people slanting their eyes to make fun of Asians?" China's foreign ministry said the integration of cultural elements from other countries into Chinese shows was a sign of respect and the inclusion of the African segment was not a diplomatic issue. "If anyone wants to seize on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala programme to make a fuss, or even sow discord in relations between China and African countries, they obviously have ulterior motives," it said in a statement to Reuters. The new year gala had led to a controversy in 2018 as well. At that time a skit featuring actress Lou Naiming drew criticism. She appeared on stage in colourful garb, her face and arms coloured brown, carrying a fruit basket on her head and accompanied by someone costumed as a monkey. This year's gala saw organisations and advocates for Africans in China lambast the show. The show aired on Thursday evening. "While supporters of the practice allege that blackface centres on empathy & realism, it’s difficult to disassociate it from a long history of minstrelsy & fixation on problematic caricatures," Black China Caucus, an activist group, said on Twitter. "Next year, we hope organizers decide to end this practice & hire some of thousands of Black people living in many parts of China."

Chinese New Year gala show sparks racism controversy

The Chinese are probably looking forward to 2021. The Chinese New Year, which commences on February 2021, will mark the Year of the Ox, according to their 12-year zodiac.

What is China's year of ox and why it matters to the people in China

As the death toll in the coronavirus in China rose to six on Tuesday, the Chinese government warned its Communist party cadre not to cover-up the outbreak of the virus that started in central China even as Taiwan today confirmed the first case of the virus on its soil.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-begin-screening-passengers-from-china-as-coronavirus-continues-to-spread-275594">Also Read:&nbsp;Australia to begin screening passengers from China </a>

The central political and legal affairs commission, Beijing’s top political body responsible for law and order issued a strict warning to its workers without mincing words saying that anyone who withheld information would face "severe punishment" and be “nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity”.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-spreads-beyond-china-human-to-human-transmission-confirmed-275691/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The warning in no uncertain terms said: “Anyone who puts the face of politicians before the interests of the people will be the sinner of a millennium to the party and the people."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-we-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak-in-chinese-city-of-wuhan-275295">In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan</a>

The commentary also cited an instruction issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday that the virus must be “resolutely contained” and that all cadres must make “the safety of people’s lives and their physical health” the top priority.

The commentary referred to the SARS outbreak as an example, saying delays and a cover-up in reporting the epidemic had hurt the government’s credibility and affected social stability.

Over 700 people were killed around the world by the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) outbreak in 2002-03, which originated in China.

The commentary said: “deceiving ourselves will only make the epidemic worse. It will turn a controllable natural disaster into an extremely costly man-made disaster. Only by making information public can [we] reduce [public] fear. People don’t live in a vacuum and we will only provide a breeding ground for rumours to grow if we keep them in the dark and strip them of their right to know the truth."

Meanwhile,&nbsp;China's national health commission said at least 900 people were in hospital after being infected by the virus.&nbsp;

The virus which belongs to&nbsp;the same family of coronaviruses as SARS&nbsp;has led several countries to issue health advisories with airport authorities carrying out stringent screening of travellers docking from China, especially Wuhan.

Fears of the virus spreading rapidly have increased with the Chinese New Year approaching on January 25 when people from the mainland travel worldwide to celebrate with the country in a celebratory mood. On Monday, South Korea had confirmed s first case, a 35-year-old Chinese national who had travelled from Wuhan.

<img alt="Chinese coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4dd79acd-20a4-4b50-9d9e-72b9346a35de" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2835%29_4.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A woman wears a mask as she walks past a health warning poster at hospital in Hong Kong, China (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Two cases were also reported in Thailand and one in Japan as the footprint of the disease began to take a global face. Health authorities in &nbsp;Philippines said they were probing a potential case of the SARS-like virus after a child was suspected of carrying the virus, however, it hasn't been confirmed yet.

China's National Health Commission had confirmed on Monday that the virus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/tracking-chinas-sars-like-coronavirus-275537">In Pics: Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus</a>

<img alt="Coronavirus Indonesia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb6fb031-3570-4646-b26f-7087659fbcb2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2836%29_7.jpg" /> 
[ Indonesian health quarantine officers wait for passengers at thermal screening point (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The rapid spread of the virus hit the Asian stock market on Tuesday with experts fearful of the new virus taking the shape of the 2002-2003 SARS which killed several hundred people in China. Airlines stock were the worst hit with Cathay Pacific and Air China stocks plunging on Tuesday.

The Hang Seng Index sank 2.8 per cent amid the spread of the new virus. However, pharmaceutical and mask makers shares rose in China as the country grapples with the new virus.

As the death toll in the coronavirus in China rose to six on Tuesday, the Chinese government warned its Communist party cadre not to cover-up the outbreak of the virus that started in central China even as Taiwan today confirmed the first case of the virus on its soil.

As the death toll in the coronavirus in China rose to six on Tuesday, the Chinese government warned its Communist party cadre not to cover-up the outbreak of the virus that started in central China even as Taiwan today confirmed the first case of the virus on its soil. Also Read: Australia to begin screening passengers from China The central political and legal affairs commission, Beijing’s top political body responsible for law and order issued a strict warning to its workers without mincing words saying that anyone who withheld information would face "severe punishment" and be “nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity”. Watch Video: The warning in no uncertain terms said: “Anyone who puts the face of politicians before the interests of the people will be the sinner of a millennium to the party and the people." In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan The commentary also cited an instruction issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday that the virus must be “resolutely contained” and that all cadres must make “the safety of people’s lives and their physical health” the top priority. The commentary referred to the SARS outbreak as an example, saying delays and a cover-up in reporting the epidemic had hurt the government’s credibility and affected social stability. Over 700 people were killed around the world by the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) outbreak in 2002-03, which originated in China. The commentary said: “deceiving ourselves will only make the epidemic worse. It will turn a controllable natural disaster into an extremely costly man-made disaster. Only by making information public can [we] reduce [public] fear. People don’t live in a vacuum and we will only provide a breeding ground for rumours to grow if we keep them in the dark and strip them of their right to know the truth." Meanwhile, China's national health commission said at least 900 people were in hospital after being infected by the virus. The virus which belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as SARS has led several countries to issue health advisories with airport authorities carrying out stringent screening of travellers docking from China, especially Wuhan. Fears of the virus spreading rapidly have increased with the Chinese New Year approaching on January 25 when people from the mainland travel worldwide to celebrate with the country in a celebratory mood. On Monday, South Korea had confirmed s first case, a 35-year-old Chinese national who had travelled from Wuhan. [ A woman wears a mask as she walks past a health warning poster at hospital in Hong Kong, China (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Two cases were also reported in Thailand and one in Japan as the footprint of the disease began to take a global face. Health authorities in Philippines said they were probing a potential case of the SARS-like virus after a child was suspected of carrying the virus, however, it hasn't been confirmed yet. China's National Health Commission had confirmed on Monday that the virus In Pics: Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus [ Indonesian health quarantine officers wait for passengers at thermal screening point (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The rapid spread of the virus hit the Asian stock market on Tuesday with experts fearful of the new virus taking the shape of the 2002-2003 SARS which killed several hundred people in China. Airlines stock were the worst hit with Cathay Pacific and Air China stocks plunging on Tuesday. The Hang Seng Index sank 2.8 per cent amid the spread of the new virus. However, pharmaceutical and mask makers shares rose in China as the country grapples with the new virus.

As death toll rises, China warns party cadres not to cover-up virus outbreak

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-needs-to-do-more-to-stop-violence-resolve-problems-government-268621">Hong Kong</a> residents have been gathering across the city on weekends and in lunch breaks to write <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrants-gather-at-us-mexico-border-for-christmas-party-268529">Christmas</a> cards to injured protesters and those in detention as anti-government demonstrations grind on through the holiday season.

"I don't even want to celebrate because so many people are seriously injured," said office worker Felix Wong, 35, choking up in tears as she spoke.

"We didn't forget about them. We're not partying 'We can celebrate later, not now'," she said when asked what she had written in her cards.

Wong was one of a dozen office workers and residents who dropped by a central shopping area on Monday to drop off their Christmas cards.

Volunteers in black masks and baseball caps collected them in boxes as tourists walked by, passing shop windows decorated with gingerbread houses, Christmas presents, and tinsel.

Hong Kong has been embroiled in more than six months of anti-government protests which show no sign of abating. Police have arrested 6,060 people since the unrest began, with 977 charged with various offenses including unlawful assembly, common assault, and criminal damage, as of December&nbsp;12.

The ages of those arrested range from 11 to 84, according to police. Police do not say how many of them are in detention.

On the weekend, a line of people waited at the entrance of the train station in the Mong Kok district to drop off their cards at a booth manned by volunteers and equipped with screens showing videos of clashes with police.

Bonnie Lock, a 52-year old housewife, dropped off her card with a crowd of her neighbours.

"As Christmas and Chinese New Year approaches, I want to show some support, to let them know that we, the peaceful protesters miss them very much," Lock said.

"We hope they can feel some warmth and won't feel that lonely."

The protesters are angry about what they see as an encroachment by China on wide-ranging autonomy Hong Kong was guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" framework which governs the former British colony.

China has rejected the complaints.

Protests are scheduled to continue across the city through the rest of the week and into Christmas.

Hong Kong residents have been gathering across the city on weekends and in lunch breaks to write Christmas cards to injured protesters and those in detention as anti-government demonstrations grind on through the holiday season.

Hong Kong residents have been gathering across the city on weekends and in lunch breaks to write Christmas cards to injured protesters and those in detention as anti-government demonstrations grind on through the holiday season. "I don't even want to celebrate because so many people are seriously injured," said office worker Felix Wong, 35, choking up in tears as she spoke. "We didn't forget about them. We're not partying 'We can celebrate later, not now'," she said when asked what she had written in her cards. Wong was one of a dozen office workers and residents who dropped by a central shopping area on Monday to drop off their Christmas cards. Volunteers in black masks and baseball caps collected them in boxes as tourists walked by, passing shop windows decorated with gingerbread houses, Christmas presents, and tinsel. Hong Kong has been embroiled in more than six months of anti-government protests which show no sign of abating. Police have arrested 6,060 people since the unrest began, with 977 charged with various offenses including unlawful assembly, common assault, and criminal damage, as of December 12. The ages of those arrested range from 11 to 84, according to police. Police do not say how many of them are in detention. On the weekend, a line of people waited at the entrance of the train station in the Mong Kok district to drop off their cards at a booth manned by volunteers and equipped with screens showing videos of clashes with police. Bonnie Lock, a 52-year old housewife, dropped off her card with a crowd of her neighbours. "As Christmas and Chinese New Year approaches, I want to show some support, to let them know that we, the peaceful protesters miss them very much," Lock said. "We hope they can feel some warmth and won't feel that lonely." The protesters are angry about what they see as an encroachment by China on wide-ranging autonomy Hong Kong was guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" framework which governs the former British colony. China has rejected the complaints. Protests are scheduled to continue across the city through the rest of the week and into Christmas.

"We can celebrate later": Hong Kongers pen Christmas cards to protesters

Bright panda bears, pagodas and a 40-metre long dragon lit up a park in the Estonian capital Tallinn, where daylight at this time of year is no longer than six hours.

Pandas and dragons light up Estonian Chinese lantern festival

London celebrates Chinese New Year

Between the hustle and bustle of the railway station and the quiet, narrow Hutong streets, all was quiet in Beijing on Sunday in the last few hours of the Lunar calendar before the start of the Year of the Pig.&nbsp; 
 
A time for family gatherings and reunions, this period witnesses a massive upturn in the number of trips across the country. Authorities expect 2.99 billion trips between January 21 to March 1, 0.6 per cent more than last year. 
 
During the Lunar New Year holiday, the big Chinese cities, which have been a magnet for internal migration for decades, empty out, and millions of people travel to their hometowns to catch up with their loved ones. 
 
But not everyone is that lucky and the frenzied pace of the capital forces several of its inhabitants to postpone their holidays.&nbsp; 
 
Meng Xiangtian, a 21-year-old waiter, is one of the souls who will not be able to return to her native province over the festival period. She told EFE there is no rest as people keep coming in to eat. The restaurant's employees will meet and dine together on the night of the New Year. 
 
Her restaurant, which is located near the iconic Lama Temple, shares the sidewalk with dozens of small shops, which take advantage of the Spring Festival, as the Lunar New Year is also known, to down their shutters and enjoy one of the most symbolic celebrations for the Chinese, besides their national day on October 1. 
 
There are those who dedicate the festive period to resting without leaving Beijing, like in the case of Leng Mei, who will close her clothing store for eight days after visiting her relatives in Shenyang, the capital of the northeastern province of Liaoning. 
 
Leng's husband has to work during the New Year week so she will stay back to dine with him on February 4, on the eve of Chinese New Year. 
 
The Hutong streets dotting the surroundings of the temple are adorned with bright lanterns and red-colored signs at the entrances of houses, decorated with good luck messages. 
 
The silence in these alleys is a contrast to the crowds thronging the suburban commuter trains heading for one of the railway stations of the capital. 
 
Trains continue to be the preferred mode of transport during Lunar New Year. Some 10.47 million train trips are expected on Sunday alone, 16.9 per cent more than in 2018. 
 
Couple Nian Jiali and Yi Wan, both 20, would take the train to visit some friends in Tianjin (150 kilometers east of Beijing). Both would meet their families on February 4 to eat Chinese dumplings and watch the traditional program on television. 
 
Yi told EFE that on New Year's eve she will watch a program called "Bai Nian Ji" (Memories of the Chinese New Year), which is designed for young people to interact and write to each other online. 
 
But modern trends like this have caused some to rue that the essence of New Year has been lost. One such person is Liu Guoying, a grandmother in Beijing, for whom the festival is no longer what it used to be. 
 
Liu said relationships between family, friends and neighbours are not as close-knit as they used to be and as the standard of living has improved and people can buy and eat everything, people do not look forward to the New Year's eve dinner as much. 
 
Liu said her generation was the last to enjoy the real flavour of the New Year.

Between the hustle and bustle of the railway station and the quiet, narrow Hutong streets, all was quiet in Beijing on Sunday in the last few hours of the Lunar calendar before the start of the Year of the Pig.

Between the hustle and bustle of the railway station and the quiet, narrow Hutong streets, all was quiet in Beijing on Sunday in the last few hours of the Lunar calendar before the start of the Year of the Pig. A time for family gatherings and reunions, this period witnesses a massive upturn in the number of trips across the country. Authorities expect 2.99 billion trips between January 21 to March 1, 0.6 per cent more than last year. During the Lunar New Year holiday, the big Chinese cities, which have been a magnet for internal migration for decades, empty out, and millions of people travel to their hometowns to catch up with their loved ones. But not everyone is that lucky and the frenzied pace of the capital forces several of its inhabitants to postpone their holidays. Meng Xiangtian, a 21-year-old waiter, is one of the souls who will not be able to return to her native province over the festival period. She told EFE there is no rest as people keep coming in to eat. The restaurant's employees will meet and dine together on the night of the New Year. Her restaurant, which is located near the iconic Lama Temple, shares the sidewalk with dozens of small shops, which take advantage of the Spring Festival, as the Lunar New Year is also known, to down their shutters and enjoy one of the most symbolic celebrations for the Chinese, besides their national day on October 1. There are those who dedicate the festive period to resting without leaving Beijing, like in the case of Leng Mei, who will close her clothing store for eight days after visiting her relatives in Shenyang, the capital of the northeastern province of Liaoning. Leng's husband has to work during the New Year week so she will stay back to dine with him on February 4, on the eve of Chinese New Year. The Hutong streets dotting the surroundings of the temple are adorned with bright lanterns and red-colored signs at the entrances of houses, decorated with good luck messages. The silence in these alleys is a contrast to the crowds thronging the suburban commuter trains heading for one of the railway stations of the capital. Trains continue to be the preferred mode of transport during Lunar New Year. Some 10.47 million train trips are expected on Sunday alone, 16.9 per cent more than in 2018. Couple Nian Jiali and Yi Wan, both 20, would take the train to visit some friends in Tianjin (150 kilometers east of Beijing). Both would meet their families on February 4 to eat Chinese dumplings and watch the traditional program on television. Yi told EFE that on New Year's eve she will watch a program called "Bai Nian Ji" (Memories of the Chinese New Year), which is designed for young people to interact and write to each other online. But modern trends like this have caused some to rue that the essence of New Year has been lost. One such person is Liu Guoying, a grandmother in Beijing, for whom the festival is no longer what it used to be. Liu said relationships between family, friends and neighbours are not as close-knit as they used to be and as the standard of living has improved and people can buy and eat everything, people do not look forward to the New Year's eve dinner as much. Liu said her generation was the last to enjoy the real flavour of the New Year.

All quiet in Beijing on eve of Chinese New Year

Toxic smog forced Bangkok authorities to issue an unprecedented order to shut nearly 450 schools on Wednesday, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread concern.

The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, forcing residents to don masks and sparking social media criticism of the uneven response by the government.

Reasons given for the lingering pall include exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of crop stubble, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city.

Authorities have seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micro-pollutants and even asked people not to burn incense sticks and paper during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The measures so far have provoked derision from many Bangkok residents, while stocks of pollution masks have run out in many shops.

But on Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stepped up its health warnings, ordering all 437 city-controlled public schools to close from lunchtime through Friday, while designating 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the city a "control area".

"The situation will be bad until February 3 to 4, so I decided to close schools," said Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, adding he hoped the move would also empty the road of cars on the school run.

Three to four of the city's districts are "severely hit with smog", he added.

Fleets of drones are set to be deployed to disperse sugary liquid solution to help clear the air of microscopic particles.

It is not clear how effective that will be given the scale of the smog cloaking the city.

Aswin also said City Hall may soon issue a warning against exercising in parks.

Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI) monitor, on Thursday, pegged Bangkok at the "unhealthy" level of 171, up from 156 mid-month.

The measurements are higher than some cities in China but well below the Indian capital New Delhi.&nbsp;

Greenpeace Thailand country director Tara Buakamsri said the levels in Bangkok were the worst in "at least a year".

Toxic smog forced Bangkok authorities to issue an unprecedented order to shut nearly 450 schools on Wednesday, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread concern.

Toxic smog forced Bangkok authorities to issue an unprecedented order to shut nearly 450 schools on Wednesday, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread concern. The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, forcing residents to don masks and sparking social media criticism of the uneven response by the government. Reasons given for the lingering pall include exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of crop stubble, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city. Authorities have seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micro-pollutants and even asked people not to burn incense sticks and paper during Chinese New Year celebrations. The measures so far have provoked derision from many Bangkok residents, while stocks of pollution masks have run out in many shops. But on Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stepped up its health warnings, ordering all 437 city-controlled public schools to close from lunchtime through Friday, while designating 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the city a "control area". "The situation will be bad until February 3 to 4, so I decided to close schools," said Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, adding he hoped the move would also empty the road of cars on the school run. Three to four of the city's districts are "severely hit with smog", he added. Fleets of drones are set to be deployed to disperse sugary liquid solution to help clear the air of microscopic particles. It is not clear how effective that will be given the scale of the smog cloaking the city. Aswin also said City Hall may soon issue a warning against exercising in parks. Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI) monitor, on Thursday, pegged Bangkok at the "unhealthy" level of 171, up from 156 mid-month. The measurements are higher than some cities in China but well below the Indian capital New Delhi. Greenpeace Thailand country director Tara Buakamsri said the levels in Bangkok were the worst in "at least a year".

Hundreds of schools to shut as toxic smog cloaks Bangkok

A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City.

The epicenter was close to the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 26.7 miles (43 km), according to the US&nbsp;Geological Survey. The area is already reeling from an earthquake that caused widespread damage in September.

Oaxaca&#39;s civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far.

In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded throughout the city, and tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south.

Television images showed thousands of people in the streets in the city centre, where crowds had gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Oaxaca's civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far

A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City. The epicenter was close to the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 26.7 miles (43 km), according to the US Geological Survey. The area is already reeling from an earthquake that caused widespread damage in September. Oaxaca's civil protection service said no damage had been reported so far. In Mexico City, tall buildings swayed for more than a minute as seismic alarms sounded throughout the city, and tremors were felt as far away as Guatemala to the south. Television images showed thousands of people in the streets in the city centre, where crowds had gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Magnitude 7.2 quake hits Mexico, buildings sway in capital

The Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rooster - begins on January 28 and India&#39;s very own Chinatown in the eastern state of West Bengal is ringing it in with much fanfare and fervour.

Bengal&rsquo;s capital Kolkata, has many third and fourth generation Chinese families settled in the southern fringes of the city -&ndash; Tangra, also known as Chinatown.

Many Chinese families refer to this settlement as the new Chinatown, the old being the settlement in Central Kolkata, in and around the Tiretti market.

The Chinese New Year celebrations begin several days ahead of the New Year&rsquo;s Day in both the Chinatowns &ndash; new and old. The old Chinatown near Tiretti market has hundreds of families residing in the area and they all come together to celebrate their New Year.&nbsp;

A stage is set up every year, at the &lsquo;Chhata Gaali&rsquo;, famously known for its early morning Chinese breakfast and several song and dance performances are held. However, the main attraction is the dragon dance that everyone awaits.

Like every year, even this year, a day before the Chinese New Year, groups dressed in colour-coordinated clothes have been mesmerising audiences with the lion or the dragon dance for the past two days. Adjacent to this lane, there is a Chinese temple, where groups perform the dragon dance too. &nbsp;

The community has an association and they plan the celebrations much in advance.

Several food stalls selling authentic Chinese dishes line up behind the stage and sell mouth-watering delicacies.

A handful of these families run small restaurants attached to their homes and on the days of the festivals they put up stalls too.&nbsp;

The scene is no different at Tangra.&nbsp;

Chinese families settled in this area were seen enjoying the dragon dance on Friday. However families pointed out that they look forward to the fete held at the Pei May Chinese School at Tangra on the New Year&rsquo;s Day.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Days before the New Year&#39;s, we clear out our houses and decorate them with lights. Two days before the New Year&rsquo;s Day, groups and children performing the dragon dance come to our homes and we offer prayers. This is the only time when all the Chinese families living in the city come together. But the main attraction is the fete held at the Pei May Chinese School. A dinner is organised there and we get to play many games at this fete,&rdquo; said Fiona Chen, a third generation Chinese living in the city.

However, over the years, the dwindling Chinese community living in complete harmony among other ethnic communities like Anglo-Indian, Jews and Armenians have started moving to the west.

(WION)

 
&nbsp;

Groups dressed in colour-coordinated clothes have been mesmerising audiences with the lion or the dragon dance for the past two days

The Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rooster - begins on January 28 and India's very own Chinatown in the eastern state of West Bengal is ringing it in with much fanfare and fervour. Bengal’s capital Kolkata, has many third and fourth generation Chinese families settled in the southern fringes of the city -– Tangra, also known as Chinatown. Many Chinese families refer to this settlement as the new Chinatown, the old being the settlement in Central Kolkata, in and around the Tiretti market. The Chinese New Year celebrations begin several days ahead of the New Year’s Day in both the Chinatowns – new and old. The old Chinatown near Tiretti market has hundreds of families residing in the area and they all come together to celebrate their New Year. A stage is set up every year, at the ‘Chhata Gaali’, famously known for its early morning Chinese breakfast and several song and dance performances are held. However, the main attraction is the dragon dance that everyone awaits. Like every year, even this year, a day before the Chinese New Year, groups dressed in colour-coordinated clothes have been mesmerising audiences with the lion or the dragon dance for the past two days. Adjacent to this lane, there is a Chinese temple, where groups perform the dragon dance too. The community has an association and they plan the celebrations much in advance. Several food stalls selling authentic Chinese dishes line up behind the stage and sell mouth-watering delicacies. A handful of these families run small restaurants attached to their homes and on the days of the festivals they put up stalls too. The scene is no different at Tangra. Chinese families settled in this area were seen enjoying the dragon dance on Friday. However families pointed out that they look forward to the fete held at the Pei May Chinese School at Tangra on the New Year’s Day. “Days before the New Year's, we clear out our houses and decorate them with lights. Two days before the New Year’s Day, groups and children performing the dragon dance come to our homes and we offer prayers. This is the only time when all the Chinese families living in the city come together. But the main attraction is the fete held at the Pei May Chinese School. A dinner is organised there and we get to play many games at this fete,” said Fiona Chen, a third generation Chinese living in the city. However, over the years, the dwindling Chinese community living in complete harmony among other ethnic communities like Anglo-Indian, Jews and Armenians have started moving to the west. (WION)

India?s Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year with fanfare

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