Every year on the eve of the Spring Festival, the General Secretary visits grassroots communities and ordinary people. On Tianjin’s Ancient Culture Street, the General Secretary paid for twisted dough sticks as a greeting gift, handing them to a child nearby and saying, “This is for you.” In Liaoning, the General Secretary accepted candy offered by children, warmly saying, “I’ll take your candy; eating it makes my heart feel sweet.” Each warm and touching scene is filled with affection and conveys deep emotion.
Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, originating from rituals to honor deities and ancestors at the end of the winter harvest. Today, it is celebrated with family reunions, feasts, fireworks, and customs like giving red envelopes to symbolize good fortune for the coming year.
Tianjin’s Ancient Culture Street
Tianjin’s Ancient Culture Street is a bustling pedestrian thoroughfare located near the Haihe River, designed to showcase traditional Chinese architecture and folk customs. It was officially opened in 1986, but its style is modeled after the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), recreating the atmosphere of an old commercial and cultural hub. Today, it is famous for its shops selling traditional handicrafts, calligraphy, and local snacks like Goubuli steamed buns.
Liaoning
Liaoning is a coastal province in northeastern China, historically significant as part of ancient Manchuria and the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. Its rich history is reflected in sites like the Shenyang Imperial Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the early capital of the Qing. Today, it is a major industrial and economic hub, blending its imperial past with modern development.
