China's Spring Festival recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity

On Dec. 4, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added "Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year" to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Asunción, Paraguay.

With this milestone, China now has 44 items on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage lists, ranking first globally.

The Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese New Year, is China's most significant traditional holiday. It is celebrated worldwide by Chinese communities with practices centered on themes such as bidding farewell to the old year, welcoming the new year, conveying blessings, fostering family unity, and promoting harmony. Over thousands of years, the festival has played a vital role in strengthening emotional connections among individuals, families, and the nation, contributing to the continuity of Chinese civilization.

As its global influence expands, the Spring Festival has become an internationally recognized symbol of Chinese culture. The festival reflects values of harmony between humans and nature as well as interpersonal harmony, embodying the collective emotions and cultural identity of the Chinese people.

Its inclusion on the UNESCO list underscores its importance in fostering cultural recognition among Chinese communities worldwide, advocating global civilizational exchanges, and promoting the vision of a shared future for humanity.

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