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

The lantern festival lights up the Chinese New Year celebration.

Chinese new year celebrations kick off

Protests erupt in Taiwan against the Chinese officials visit to the island as the Chinese delegation. Independence group started slogan airing outside of the airport.

Chinese delegation visits Taiwan to attend lantern festival

A group of six Chinese officials arrived in Taiwan, on Saturday (February 18) for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago at the invitation of Taipei’s city government for a cultural festival. However, at least a dozen pro-Independence supporters raised slogans outside the airport in protest of their arrival while a small group of pro-China supporters shouted in their welcome, reported Reuters. This comes amid soaring military tensions between Beijing and Taipei and China’s increasing claim over Taiwan which sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.&nbsp;

The delegation from Beijing was led by the deputy head of the Shanghai office of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Li&nbsp;Xiaodong who arrived at Taipei’s Songshan airport and was immediately ushered into a van along with heavy security and driven away. Meanwhile, pro-independence protesters were reportedly heard shouting “Taiwan and China, separate countries” and “Chinese people, get out”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-pentagon-official-in-taiwan-amid-stir-against-visit-by-chinese-group-reports-563345">Top Pentagon official in Taiwan amid stir against visit by Chinese group: Reports</a>

Notably, Chinese officials were invited to Taipei&nbsp;to attend the Lantern Festival&nbsp;by the city's&nbsp;Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who is from the main opposition party, the Kuomintang. The party is said to have traditionally supported close relations with China. Ahead of the three-day visit by the Chinese officials, Chiang told reporters they “very much welcomed” the delegation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-finds-balloon-remnants-likely-chinese-on-remote-dongyin-island-taiwanese-army-562774">Taiwan Army finds remnants of suspected Chinese balloon on remote Dongyin island</a>

He added that the arrangements for the Chinese officials will be “low-key, simple, and secure” as set out by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. In the past couple of months, China has continued to carry out military activities near Taiwan while also refusing to speak to the Tawainese government led by President Tsai Ing-wen who took office in 2016 as they believe it to be&nbsp;a separatist. Beijing has recently also ramped up pressure on Taiwan under President Xi Jinping, who has said “reunification” with Taiwan is essential and must not be passed on to future generations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A group of six Chinese officials arrived in Taiwan, on Saturday (February 18) for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago at the invitation of Taipei’s city government for a cultural festival.

A group of six Chinese officials arrived in Taiwan, on Saturday (February 18) for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago at the invitation of Taipei’s city government for a cultural festival. However, at least a dozen pro-Independence supporters raised slogans outside the airport in protest of their arrival while a small group of pro-China supporters shouted in their welcome, reported Reuters. This comes amid soaring military tensions between Beijing and Taipei and China’s increasing claim over Taiwan which sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders. The delegation from Beijing was led by the deputy head of the Shanghai office of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Li Xiaodong who arrived at Taipei’s Songshan airport and was immediately ushered into a van along with heavy security and driven away. Meanwhile, pro-independence protesters were reportedly heard shouting “Taiwan and China, separate countries” and “Chinese people, get out”. ALSO READ | Top Pentagon official in Taiwan amid stir against visit by Chinese group: Reports Notably, Chinese officials were invited to Taipei to attend the Lantern Festival by the city's Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who is from the main opposition party, the Kuomintang. The party is said to have traditionally supported close relations with China. Ahead of the three-day visit by the Chinese officials, Chiang told reporters they “very much welcomed” the delegation. ALSO READ | Taiwan Army finds remnants of suspected Chinese balloon on remote Dongyin island He added that the arrangements for the Chinese officials will be “low-key, simple, and secure” as set out by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. In the past couple of months, China has continued to carry out military activities near Taiwan while also refusing to speak to the Tawainese government led by President Tsai Ing-wen who took office in 2016 as they believe it to be a separatist. Beijing has recently also ramped up pressure on Taiwan under President Xi Jinping, who has said “reunification” with Taiwan is essential and must not be passed on to future generations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese officials visit Taiwan for the first time since COVID-19 pandemic, face protests

Protests in Taiwan against Chinese officials visit, delegation to attend lantern festival

A top Pentagon official has arrived in Taiwan, reports suggested on Friday (February 17). The visit by Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase, assumes significance when Beijing's ties with Washington have shown no signs of improvement. The balloon row is the latest to sour the relations of the two countries.&nbsp;

In a report by news agency Reuters, a Pentagon spokesperson refused to comment on the visit but referred to the threat faced by Taiwan because of China. "We don't have a comment on specific operations.. but I would highlight that our support for, and defence relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People's Republic of China," the report quoted the spokesperson as saying.&nbsp;

Last year, the visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi - the then House Speaker - had prompted an angry response from Beijing. Quoting Taiwan’s Defence Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, the British news platform the Guardian reported he did not confirm the visit. “If any team that is friendly to us want to visit, they will let us know. Suggestions that are beneficial to Taiwan’s defence operations are very good, and they are all good opportunities," he said.&nbsp;

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The visit also comes at a time when a group of Chinese officials are in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. Their arrival was reportedly followed by protests from pro-Independence activists.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sanctions-imposed-by-china-on-lockheed-martin-and-raytheon-over-taiwan-arms-sales-562840">Sanctions imposed by China on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon over Taiwan arms sales</a>

Earlier this week, the Taiwanese government allowed the trip of six Chinese officials, lead by Liu Xiaodong, deputy head of the Shanghai office of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, to attend the Lantern Festival in Taipei, at the invitation of the city government.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

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A top Pentagon official has arrived in Taiwan, reports suggested on Friday (February 17). The visit by Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase, assumes significance when Beijing's ties with Washington have shown no signs of improvement.

A top Pentagon official has arrived in Taiwan, reports suggested on Friday (February 17). The visit by Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase, assumes significance when Beijing's ties with Washington have shown no signs of improvement. The balloon row is the latest to sour the relations of the two countries. In a report by news agency Reuters, a Pentagon spokesperson refused to comment on the visit but referred to the threat faced by Taiwan because of China. "We don't have a comment on specific operations.. but I would highlight that our support for, and defence relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People's Republic of China," the report quoted the spokesperson as saying. Last year, the visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi - the then House Speaker - had prompted an angry response from Beijing. Quoting Taiwan’s Defence Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, the British news platform the Guardian reported he did not confirm the visit. “If any team that is friendly to us want to visit, they will let us know. Suggestions that are beneficial to Taiwan’s defence operations are very good, and they are all good opportunities," he said. × The visit also comes at a time when a group of Chinese officials are in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. Their arrival was reportedly followed by protests from pro-Independence activists. Also read: Sanctions imposed by China on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon over Taiwan arms sales Earlier this week, the Taiwanese government allowed the trip of six Chinese officials, lead by Liu Xiaodong, deputy head of the Shanghai office of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, to attend the Lantern Festival in Taipei, at the invitation of the city government. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top Pentagon official in Taiwan amid stir against visit by Chinese group: Reports

In pics: Seoul celebrates ‘Lantern Festival’ after three years of covid hiatus

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

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