Chinese all over the world – pictured is a family in Beijing – have welcomed the New Year according to the traditional lunar calendar. The Year of the Rabbit follows the Year of the Tiger. In Chinese mythology, the fourth of the twelve signs of the zodiac stands for harmony and longevity, among other things.
In China, the turn of the year took place on Sunday night (local time). It is the first New Year since the communist government in Beijing lifted the strict corona measures. Millions of families can get together in person this weekend for the first time in three years.
Most Chinese celebrate the start of the New Year with lavish dinners like this one at Beijing’s Shangri-La Shougang Park Hotel while watching the annual New Year’s Gala on state television.
The authorities expected almost two billion passenger trips during the 40-day travel season, which corresponds to around 70 percent of the travel volume before the pandemic. But despite the festive mood in the country, the New Year celebrations are once again overshadowed by the pandemic.
The violent wave of infections in December, which hit the major cities of Beijing and Shanghai in particular, has abated again. But people are still cautious, wearing masks to bunny ears while burning incense sticks. This is supposed to bring good luck in the new year.
Meanwhile, numerous people in China continue to become seriously ill with Covid-19, as here in a hospital in Sichuan province. Nurses and doctors try to revive a patient on New Year’s Day. After the wave of infections in the metropolises, the endurance test in the hinterland provinces is yet to come. In comparison, the healthcare system there is only rudimentarily developed, and hospitals with modern equipment are often several hours’ drive away.
The London-based research institute Airfinity expects that the current corona wave could peak in the coming week with up to 36,000 deaths per day, precisely because many people – like here at a train station in Beijing – travel to their relatives in Beijing to visit other parts of the country.
Such forecasts are in stark contrast to official statements by the Chinese state media, which downplay the dramatic situation. Apparently, no negative headlines should spoil the festive mood of the Chinese as they welcome the Year of the Rabbit with fire shows and light installations this weekend.
The Chinese New Year, Chunjie, is considered the most important holiday in this region of the world. The date is calculated according to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar and falls on a new moon between January 21st and February 21st. In 2023, the year of the rabbit starts on January 22nd.
In the People’s Republic of China, the Lunar New Year includes three public holidays, but traditionally there are fifteen, and there are usually five to eight days off. The conclusion is celebrated on the 15th day of the New Year with the Lantern Festival. New Year is celebrated with fireworks, dragon and lion dances.