Chinese New Year: A Unique, Colorful, and Beautiful Festival
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Business and Political Analyst
China is a culturally rich country and has many beautiful traditions. Among these beautiful traditions is the “Chinese New Year,” which is celebrated with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese Calendar. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture and was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2024. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year’s Eve( the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of the Chinese New Year falls on the new moon that appears between 21st January and 20 February.
The Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and customs. The festival was traditionally a time to honour deities and ancestors. Throughout China,, different regions celebrate the New Year with distinct local customs and traditions. It is an association of Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. Traditionally, every family would thoroughly clean their house, symbolically sweeping away an ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck. Windows and doors may be decorated with red paper-cuts and couplets representing themes such as wealth, good fortune, happiness, and longevity.
Chinese New Year is also celebrated worldwide in regions and countries with significant overseas Chinese or Sinophone populations, especially in Southeast Asia, including Australia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. It is also prominent beyond Asia, especially in Australia, Canada, France, Mauritius, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, the United Kingdom, as well as in many other European countries, and the United States.
Red couplets and red lanterns are displayed on the door frames and light up the atmosphere. The air is filled with strong Chinese emotions. In stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and other cities, products of traditional Chinese style have started to lead fashion trends.
Chinese New Year (CNY) is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. It is the most important holiday in China and for Chinese people all over. The most important part of the Chinese New Year is the family reunion. Everyone should come back home for the New Year’s Eve dinner. But in modern China, most elderly parents live in rural villages while their children work in the cities. It is the time of the largest human migration in the world. The migration back home and to go on vacation during this time is called” Chunyn” or Spring Migration.
The horse is the 7th animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac signs, coming after the Snake and before the Goat. The year 2026 is symbolize of horse. According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They are fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion; they are decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.
An event to celebrate the Chinese New Year was held at the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, which was attended by prominent media personnel and others. On the occasion, the Chinese Consulate General, His Excellency Mr. Yang Yundong, said that 2026 marks the year of the horse in the Chinese lunar calendar. In Chinese traditional culture, the horse symbolizes freedom, passion, and energy, an indomitable spirit, high morale, and brilliant success. He further said that over the past year, we are heartened to see that the ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China has become even more refined and resilient, reaching new heights. He paid rich tribute to the Pakistani media, which played a significant role in promoting Pakistan-China friendship. He described the media as a “ mirror” reflecting the robust development of Pakistan-China bilateral relations.
The year 2025 marked the concluding year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and was an extraordinary journey for China’s economic development. Despite daunting challenges, including a global economic slowdown, the surge of unilateralism and protectionism, and severe disruptions to the international economic and trade order, China’s economy achieved steady progress under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China.
Syed Naseem Haider Naqvi shared his eye-dazzling experience of witnessing China’s development during his visit in 2025. Mr. Ovais Iqbal Baloch also shared his thoughts.
Two videos have also been shown to the audience, which shared details of China’s journey towards modernism. The session was very informative and useful. A team of the News Lark, comprising Mr. Jawed Malik, Chief Editor the News Lark, Dr Syed Mehboob, Senior Research Editor of the News Lark, and Ms. Sana Mohsin, Sub Editor Waij Magazine also participated in this wonderful event. Senator Mr. Sarmad A. Ali was also present on the occasion
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