Interstellar breakthrough to celebrate Lunar New Year
By Anisha Pemjee and Kirtan Bhana
28 January 2025
As the planets of our solar system align and people around the world welcome the Lunar New Year, Taikonauts aboard the Chinese space station Tiangong have successfully conducted photosynthesis experiments in orbit, and producing life sustaining oxygen. The gas is also a key component of rocket fuel which will present new possibilities for interstellar travel.
In China the changing of the seasons is a time to celebrate Spring Festival, the most important tradition of the Chinese calendar. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has listed the tradition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity acknowledging the significance of the event in promoting the values of inclusion, family, community. peace and harmony.
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In South Africa, the Embassy of China in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg hosted spectacular celebrations to welcome the Lunar Year of the Wood Snake according to the astrological Chinese calendar. In his welcome address Ambassador WU Peng reflected on the auspicious occasion which was graced with high profile guests from South Africa and the Chinese community. 2025 will be a year for versatility, adapting to the advent of the golden age in the relationship between the two countries. It is a time for high quality development and harnessing the momentum of a rapidly changing world.
As is tradition, the celebrations on the Embassy grounds in Pretoria were invigorated by the movements and rhythms of the Dragon and Lion dances. The mysticism of the Dragon and the majesty of the Lion offer protection and strength while warding off evil spirits. Wood block printing, paper cutting, and Chinese calligraphy are an integral part of the occasion, an expression of the importance of the ancient arts, bonding family and friends together in renewing relationships, leaving the past behind, excited about what the future holds.
Adding spice to the occasion, Chefs from Sichuan Province presented the unique and zesty flavours of the province’s culinary delights. Chefs Fai Yung and Kai Li prepared distinct Hot and Cold dishes including multi-flavoured Beef Cubes; Steamed Spring Chicken in Sichuan Green Pepper Sauce; and the exotic Green Caviar(Sea Grapes Seaweed) Salad. Hot dishes included the world renowned Crispy Kung Pao King Prawns and Sichuan Hot Pot. The signature Mala Basa Fish proved to be the favourite. And to cool things down, Sichuan Rice Cake and Chengdu-Style Bingfen (Sweet Ice Jelly ) were served as desserts.
At the celebration in Johannesburg Consul General Pan Qingjiang said, “It is our hope that today’s Spring Festival Fair will help promote mutual learning among civilizations and enhance mutual understanding and friendship.” The Fair included multicultural and joint stage performances of song, dance and even a martial arts display. Tea ceremonies introduced the social tradition of drinking tea which originated in China where they discovered the health benefits of Cha (the word for tea in Mandarin)
A clip from the China Media Group CMG Spring Festival Gala television broadcast annually on CCTV has the record for the largest number of viewers for any entertainment show reaching an unprecedented one billion viewership. The broadcast that has been running for over 40 years has become a New Year’s tradition, explained Yinan Zhao, Bureau Chief of CMG in Johannesburg.
This year, over the Spring Festival, China will set another record witnessing the world’s largest human migration, with over 500 million domestic travellers and around 100 million tourists. China has geared up to accommodate travellers and provide effective, efficient, safe and comfortable travel, said the Ministry of Transport Official Wang Xiuchun on Xinhua News Agency’s Economic Roundtable Talk Show.
It is estimated that 9 Billion passenger trips will be made, 80% of which will be made on roads in cars. Rail travel will exceed 500 million while air passenger travellers will exceed 90 million. This boost in travel and tourism is creating many opportunitiesi n the accommodation and hospitality sectors.