IN FOCUS
By Sukanya Bali

China along with many Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year 

On 1 February, China celebrated its Lunar New Year. On 31 January, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended Lunar New Year greetings to all Chinese people of different ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese at a reception in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. He emphasized, "We ought to have a long-term perspective, be prepared for potential dangers even in times of calm, and maintain strong unity and work hard, to keep driving forward the great cause of national rejuvenation.”

What is the Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated?
Lunar New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is celebrated after the second new moon from winter solstice (21 December). The festival is celebrated by many Asian societies, which follow the lunar calendar. During the celebration people feast with their relatives and watch parades, fireworks and often dancing dragons. The major celebrations are held on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Celebrations last for two weeks, this year it will end on 15 February, on the full moon night with the lantern festival.

China records the highest travels during the celebrations. The Chinese Ministry of Transportation estimates that “1.18 billion trips will be made this year” down from 3 billion trips before the pandemic. The resurgence of Covid-19 clusters has dampened celebrations yet again. With the government’ s “zero-tolerance strategy” towards Covid outbreaks ahead of the Beijing Olympics, local authorities have advised people to limit travel. Chinese citizens are placed under a color-coded system of government surveillance, that determines the clearance for travel. Reuters reported, “that 48 million people who travelled during the Lunar New Year last year will stay put this time.” 

What is the significance of the celebration? 
The significance of Lunar New Year dates back to the 14th century BC, during the Shang dynasty. One of the stories says that a monster named Nian ("Year") attacked villagers at the start of every year. Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. People used these things to chase the beast away - which has now become part of the new year celebrations. 

The Chinese calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, each year linked with one of a dozen animals, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This Lunar year marks the end of year of Ox and beginning of the year of Tiger. Another story goes that a race which was organized by the Jade Emperor - who invited all the animals in the world to take part, for which only twelve species turned up. As a reward for turning up, the emperor decided to name a year in the zodiac after each one, where the race determined the order placing of each animal. The year of Tiger, it signifies those children born in the year ahead will be brave, competitive, and strong.

Who else celebrates it?
Along with China many East and Southeast Asian countries celebrate as per the lunar calendar. In Vietnam, the day is called Tết Nguyên Đán, or Tết, for short, meaning Festival of the First Morning of the First Day. The lunar New Year celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam feature lion dances. In North Korea and South Korea, they celebrate Seollal, which lasts for three days. Korean families serve food to ancestors in a ritual called Charye, to gain their blessings for the coming year. In Mongolia, the festival is called Tsagaan sar. Some people in Mongolia call it The White Moon festival. People worship at ovoo - stone heaps used as altars or shrines.

References:
“Staying put but splurging: China's hotels, restaurants to see Lunar New Year boost,” Reuters, 28 January 2022
“Lunar New Year: Covid thwarts travel plans for millions,” BBC, 01 February 2022
“Xi’s Chinese Lunar New Year address sends message of confidence, bravery and determination,” Global Times, 31 January 2022

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar 

INTERNAL
President Xi Jinping addresses the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
On 3 February, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the opening ceremony of the 139th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at Beijing. President Xi promised that China intends to deliver “a streamlined, safe and splendid Games.”  He extended welcome to IOc President Thomas Bach and IOC members and stressed that from themes “One World, One Dream” in 2008 to “Together for a Shared Future” in 2022 China is committed to pursue the Olympic ideal. Xi further added that China has successfully engaged 300 million Chinese in sport on snow and ice creating greater development of winter sport worldwide. (“China will do its best to deliver "streamlined, safe and splendid" Olympic Winter Games: Xi,” Xinhua Net, 3 February 2022)  

PLA airborne troops conduct high-intensity flight training
On 4 February, People’s Daily reported that China’s airtransport brigade underwent high-intensity training. The training also involved ground crew members under the PLA airborne troops. The training maintained two Y-12 transport aircraft in day-and-night flight training conditions. The high intensity training took place on 18 January 2022 and involved all members at the airstrip. (“Air transport brigade conducts high-intensity flight training,” People’s Daily, 4 February 2022)

REGIONAL
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un congratulates Chinese President on Beijing Winter Olympics
On February 4, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un sent a message to the Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulating him on the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. According to the letter: “The successful opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics despite the worldwide health crisis and unprecedented severe circumstances is another great victory won by socialist China.” Kim expressed his interest in “steadily” developing the relations between Pyongyang and Beijing “to a new high stage”. (“President of State Affairs Kim Jong Un greets Chinese President Xi Jinping,” KCNA WATCH, 4 February 2022)

Taiwanese Olympic skater sparked outrage after uploading a video in Chinese mainland team uniform
On 3 February, Global times reported that Huang Yuting, a speed skater from Taiwan participating in Beijing Winter Olympics faced media outrage after uploading a video of her wearing a uniform of the Chinese mainland team. On 23 January, Huang uploaded the video on Instagram and her account was flooded with heavy criticism. In a Facebook post, Huang said: “sports are sports and there is no difference in nationality.” (“Taiwan island skater encounters cyberbullying for wearing Chinese national team uniform; deletes Instagram post under pressure,” Global Times, 3 February 2022)

US lawmakers propose changing name of Taiwan's representative office
On 4 February, a group of bipartisan lawmakers in the US proposed that the name of Taiwan’s Cultural Representative Office should be changed from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to Taiwan Representative Office. The move will be reflective of the US support to Taiwan's independence, according to the proposed legislation. The potential change is aimed at encouraging other smaller countries to enforce similar steps. (“US lawmakers push to rename Taiwan’s de facto embassy – a move sure to rankle China,” South China Morning Post, 4 February 2022) 

US hints sanctions on Chinese firms assisting Russia for Ukraine
On 3 February, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price released a statement warning Chinese firms against helping Russia in the ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The US has imposed sanctions on Russia for its aggressive actions in Ukraine. Chinese firms evading these sanctions and conducting business with China will face consequences, as per the representative. He said: “We have an array of tools that we can deploy if we see foreign companies, including those in China, doing their best to backfill U.S. export control actions, to evade them, to get around them.” (Simon Lewis and David Brunnstrom, “U.S. warns Chinese firms against helping Russia against potential Ukraine sanctions,” Reuters, 3 February 2022)

Global leaders wish China a successful Winter Olympics
On 3 February, People’s Daily reported that multiple state leaders have sent their congratulatory messages and wishes to Beijing in hopes of a successful Olympics. Leaders from Vietnam, Laos, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Portugal, Greece, Venezuela, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua and many other countries sent in their best wishes to China for the upcoming global sporting event. Additionally, many international organisations also sent letters and messages of best wishes to China. (“World leaders wish Beijing Winter Olympics, Paralympics complete success,” People’s Daily, 3 February 2022)

Chinese Foreign Minister meets Russian Foreign Minister in Beijing
On 3 February, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Foreign Minister Srgei Lavrov in Beijing regarding the upcoming meeting between the heads of state. Wang Yi said: “China is ready to work with Russia to deepen the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive staretegic coordination between the two countries.” He called on both the sides to join efforts to fight COVID-19, enhancing mutual trust and aligning interests for a lon-term bilateral pragmatic cooperation. Sergei Lavrov said that Russian appreciates China’s efforts to deepen the bilateral cooperation and work for a “greater synergy between the Eurasian Economic Union and Belt and Road Initiative.” the two sides also expressed their distaste regarding politicization of sports and carry forward the Olympic spirit. (“Chinese FM meets visiting Russian FM,” Xinhua Net, 3 February 2022)