Lantern Festival Special Edition
Celebrating together across continents, welcoming spring from all over the world.
On this joyous Lantern Festival,
let us revisit the wonderful moments of Beijing’s sister cities
as they celebrate the Spring Festival.
Tokyo Metropolis
Tokyo Metropolis officially established a sister-city relationship with Beijing on March 14, 1979, becoming Beijing’s first sister city.
On the evening of January 28, Tokyo Tower, a landmark in Tokyo, Japan, was illuminated in festive red and displayed the words “Welcome Spring” to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
New York City
On February 25, 1980, Beijing and New York City established a sister-city relationship.
On the evening of January 28, the Empire State Building in New York City was lit up in red at the top, like a torch in the sky, radiating the festive spirit of the Spring Festival. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Buenos Aires
Beijing and Buenos Aires became sister cities on July 13, 1993.
On January 28, local time, many iconic landmarks in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, were illuminated in red to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake. (Source: CCTV News)
Brussels
Beijing and the Brussels-Capital Region established a sister-city relationship on September 22, 1994.
The “Chinese Spring Festival Fair” was held at the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels, Belgium. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Moscow
On May 16, 1995, Beijing and Moscow became sister cities.
On the afternoon of January 29, local time, Moscow launched its first-ever Chinese New Year-themed metro train. During the Spring Festival, the city will organize over 400 related celebratory events. (Source: People’s Daily Online)
Paris
On October 23, 1997, Beijing and Paris established a sister-city relationship.
The third annual grand parade was held along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France on February 2, to celebrate the Spring Festival with traditional lion and dragon dance performances. More than 200,000 people gathered for this vibrant cultural celebration. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Madrid
On January 17, 2005, Beijing and the Community of Madrid established a sister-city relationship.
On February 1, the “Happy Spring Festival” Year of the Snake Spring Race 2025 kicked off in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Over 1,000 Spanish citizens and overseas Chinese in Spain participated in the event to celebrate the Year of the Snake. (Source: www.cnr.cn)
London
On April 10, 2006, Beijing and London became sister cities.
On January 28, the London Eye, a landmark in London, the capital of the UK, was illuminated in red. Dancers performed a traditional Chinese lion dance in front of the London Eye to welcome the Spring Festival. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Mexico City
Beijing and Mexico City established a sister-city relationship on October 19, 2009.
On January 25, the 4th edition of the Chinese New Year cultural festival kicked off at the National Arts Center in Mexico City. Related celebrations will continue until the end of February. (Source: People’s Daily Online)
New South Wales
Beijing and New South Wales established a sister-city/state relationship on August 3, 2012.
On February 4, the Sydney Opera House in Australia lit up in red to celebrate the Spring Festival, as the color red symbolizes good luck, vitality, and prosperity in Chinese culture. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Copenhagen
On June 26, 2012, Beijing and Copenhagen became sister cities.
On January 29, the “Happy Spring Festival” art performance was held at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, presenting an audio-visual feast integrating dance, opera, folk music, and other art forms to local audiences. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
The Lantern Festival
Spring returns with joy and freedom.
From the “Chinese New Year” to the “Global New Year”,
the Spring Festival has become an intangible cultural heritage,
and a grand celebration that is shared and enjoyed by all.
During this annual festive occasion,
sister cities around the world join us in celebration and well-wishing.
True friendship knows no distance.
Let us embark on a new journey together,
and in the vibrant spring of the new year,
jointly enhance Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges,
writing a new chapter of the capital’s high-quality development!
(Compiled based on relevant media reports)
