China, Taiwan welcome 2025 with light shows, fireworks
China and Taiwan have rung in the New Year with light shows in several major cities.
In Beijing, celebrations were held at a former steelworks on the city’s western outskirts, while in Shanghai, crowds gathered to admire light displays along the world-renowned river promenade and other locations.
The Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong hosted a grand fireworks display over Victoria Harbour.
New Year’s Eve is not as widely celebrated in China as elsewhere, with the Chinese New Year, based on the lunar calendar, seen as far more significant.
In 2025, it will fall on Jan. 29.
In Taiwan, a six-minute fireworks show was performed for thousands of spectators at the country’s landmark Taipei 101 building, which is 509 metres tall.
For the first time, the display also included a light show, organisers said.
