The annual Lunar New Year fireworks barrage in Beijing was notably muted following government appeals to reduce the smoky celebrations after air pollution rose to near catastrophic levels over recent weeks.
More than 10 years after this city started enforcing what could be the country’s toughest ban on firecrackers, the Davao Chinese-Filipino community is becoming more creative in celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Some lunar new year charms and accessories might not exactly bring good fortune. Consumer safety watchdog Ecowaste Coalition discovered dangerous chemicals in 28 lucky charms and accessories, including a fertility amulet with a high level of lead that ironically could induce miscarriage and premature childbirth.
Millions of ethnic Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese across Asia are ringing in the new Year of the Dragon with fireworks, feasting and family reunions.
North Korean refugees living in South Korea launched balloons carrying cakes across the heavily fortified border Friday to help their former compatriots celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday.
Lunar New Year revellers in Taiwan’s capital Taipei are to be given free CDs featuring the sound of exploding firecrackers, in the hope of reducing the deafening noise and mess created by the real thing.
The world’s largest annual migration of people begins in China on Sunday with millions of travellers boarding public transport to journey across the vast country for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
