The Chinese Embassy in Laos hosted Lunar New Year reception for overseas Chinese on February 1.

By Staff Reporters

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is the oldest and the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. It’s a time for family reunion andnew year festivities, which is now celebrated not only in China but also around the world. 

On December 22, 2023 (local time), the 78th UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to officially list the Spring Festival as a UN floating holiday from 2024, which means itwill be celebrated at the UN too.

It is estimated that the Lunar New Year is a public holiday in almost 20 countries and is celebrated in various ways by about one-fifth of humanity. Traditional Lunar New Year activities are organized in nearly 200 countries and regions. The festival has become a global cultural event, bringing joy to people around the world. 

Many Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand set up public holidays during the Spring Festival.  

In Malaysia and Singapore, the eating of yusheng/yee sang (raw fish salad) is one peculiar custom. Made with different vegetables, salmon, dumpling wrappers and seasoned with hoisin sauce and other condiments, the salad is delicious, but it is also part of a ritual that families love. The salad is placed on the middle of the table and everyone is supposed to use chopsticks to toss it up in the air to attract good fortune.  

Meanwhile, in the U.S., UK, Japan and other countries, Chinese communities will hold various forms of celebration, attracting many residents to participate. 

In London, the Celebration of the Year of the Dragon will be held on February 11, 2024, in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown and other landmarks, where there will be activities including lion and dragon dances, parade floats, performances, and food stalls. It is expected to attract more than 700,000 overseas Chinese in the UK, students, representatives from Chinese and British organizations, as well as the British public and tourists from all over the world.