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Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated across China and in many parts of Asia and the world where Chinese communities can be found. It is often marked by time off work or school and includes family visits, meals together, and games like mahjong.
The Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026. Being a “double fire” year, it could mean drastic change ahead. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 could bring chaos but also great progress

With 12 animals and 5 elements, the Year of the Fire Horse comes around every 60 years and tends to bring both good fortune and bad.

Consumers

Rising down jacket sales offer cushion against deflation in mainland China

Chinese zodiac predictions

Is the Year of the Snake’s 10th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Chinese zodiac predictions

What’s your luck like in November 2025, the month of the Fire Pig?

The Pig symbolises wealth in Chinese culture – it’s also a ‘double month’, meaning both good luck and bad energy are doubled.

November is the month of the Fire Pig. Photo: Illustration: SCMP Graphics
Hong Kong economy

Higher stall prices for Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fair put pressure on vendors

Highest bid for Victoria Park food stall on first day of auction was HK$230,000, a 26 per cent increase from last year’s HK$182,000.

Thailand

Can Thailand’s tourism recover from a drop in Chinese arrivals?

The kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Myanmar via Thailand led to Lunar New Year trip cancellations. A strong baht has also been a factor.

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China society

Opinion | After decades of struggle, women in China are rewriting their future

The quiet revolution towards upholding women’s rights in China isn’t just about slogans but involves the hard work of families, educators and policymakers.

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Women take a selfie while attending a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on October 1. Photo: Xinhua
DeepSeek

China’s DeepSeek unveils experimental version of its AI foundation model

The industry is paying close attention to DeepSeek’s new products after the start-up said it would tailor its models for Chinese-made AI chips.

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Chinese culture

Is Year of the Snake’s eighth month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for love, career, health and finance for the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

Chinese culture

Explainer | Why the Chinese calendar has ‘leap months’ and when they fall

August 22, 2025 is the last day of the Year of the Snake’s second ‘sixth month’, but why are such lunar leap months considered inauspicious?

***PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE REUSE*** THE MOMENT - Auspicious wedding dates
Chinese zodiac predictions

Is Year of the Snake’s second sixth month lucky for you?

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar leap month’s prospects for all Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, finances and careers.

How’s your luck in the Year of the Snake’s second sixth month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs, including why it will be a good month career-wise for Monkeys and others. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Decline in Chinese tourists sees Thailand target Southeast Asia, Middle East

Thailand cut its 2025 foreign arrival forecast from 40 million to 35 million due to safety concerns for Chinese tourists after incidents like actor Wang Xing’s kidnapping.

Food and Drinks

Dish in Focus: Xiamen-style popiah at Ming Pavilion

At Ming Pavilion, chef Jack Lam Yeung redefines Hokkien cuisine with new flavours while celebrating Fujian’s culinary heritage.

Chinese culture

Being Chinese | People laugh in my face when I say I’m Chinese. So what?

I don’t look Chinese. But it’s the tiny things, values and cultural touchpoints that collectively make a Chinese person Chinese.

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People walk past a mural of a Chinese letter writer in Chinatown in Singapore in February 2021. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong public holiday 2026: how to get a 9-day Lunar New Year break

Government gazettes dates for public holidays next year, with residents able to enjoy longer breaks with some clear use of their annual leave.

A fireworks display marks the Lunar New Year holiday in 2025. Photo: Dickson Lee
Chinese zodiac predictions

Is Year of the Snake’s third month lucky for you? 12 zodiac sign horoscopes

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for love, career, health and finance for the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong arrivals rise 7% to 8.4 million in first 2 months of 2025

Short-haul markets such as the Philippines and Indonesia record the steepest growth in arrivals.

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Tencent

Tencent chases Chinese tourists in Singapore with Sentosa deal

As Chinese travellers return to Southeast Asia, Weixin Pay has struck a partnership with Singapore’s top resort island.

Resort World Sentosa in Singapore. Photo: AFP
China’s film industry

China’s Ne Zha 2 still flying high as highest-grossing animated movie of all time

Gone are the days when Chinese filmmakers were left scrambling to recreate the economic success of foreign offerings such as Kung Fu Panda.

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Horoscopes

What’s your luck looking like for March 2025, the Earth Rabbit month?

This is your month if you’re a Rabbit like Angelina Jolie or Johnny Depp, while Horses and Roosters should tread carefully.

Food and Drinks

Profile | Bruce Lee was her aunt’s dishwasher. Chef Angie Mar on a life in food

A Chinese-American chef who ‘can’t really cook Chinese food’, Angie Mar of New York’s Le B on her roots in food and not cooking for critics.

Peking duck bao at Mar’s Lunar New Year Party 2025. Photo: Wynn Las Vegas
US-China relations

Opinion | People-to-people relations are the real glue of China-US ties

Despite the complex global landscape, Chinese and Americans have a genuine desire to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China’s C919 passenger plane

China’s C919 jet passes Lunar New Year test as usage rate soars

The Chinese-made aircraft was deployed on 38 routes including Shanghai-Hong Kong, a significant increase compared with last year’s holiday.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Boost Hong Kong’s brand with green mega-events

Readers discuss a missed opportunity at the Lunar New Year markets, and the Asian Winter Games’ sustainable efforts.

Hong Kong economy

Buyers quick off mark as Hong Kong car plates ‘S’ and ‘88’ go for millions

‘S’ plate, a rare single-letter registration mark, fetches HK$14.2 million while “88” makes HK$11.4 million.

The single letter “S” plate had an opening price of just HK$5,000. Photo: Handout
Trending in China

‘Naughty’ China boy calls police after dispute with dad over New Year lucky money

Youngster uses father’s mobile phone to call law enforcers who side with dad but urge him to improve the way he educates son.

A young boy in China called the police to report a robbery after his father kept his Lunar New Year lucky money. Photo: Shutterstock
China's economic recovery

How a Valentine’s Day fad sparked a ‘gold rush’ in China

Demand for gold jewellery spiked in China ahead of Valentine’s Day as consumers pivoted away from other luxury gifts.

Japan

Why Japan is the No 1 travel destination for Chinese tourists

The weak yen has spurred many Chinese nationals to visit Japan, while food is the biggest motivator for them to travel to the region.

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