Jakarta (Economy India): China and ASEAN marked a significant cultural milestone with the celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival 2026 at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, coinciding with major anniversaries in China-ASEAN relations. The event highlighted growing cultural ties as China and ASEAN commemorate 35 years of dialogue relations and the 5th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Titled “Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN” – Spring Festival @ ASEAN Headquarters 2026, the programme was held on February 5 and marked the first-ever celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival at the ASEAN Secretariat. The year 2026 also corresponds to the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar.
February 5 and marked the first-ever celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival at the ASEAN Secretariat. The year 2026 also corresponds to the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar.
The event was supported by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat. It was hosted by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi, and jointly organised by several Chinese media and cultural institutions.
More than 250 guests attended the celebration, including ambassadors and envoys from all 11 ASEAN member states, representatives from external partner countries such as the UK, Australia, South Korea and Brazil, senior ASEAN Secretariat officials, members of ASEAN media, academics, students and representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in the region.
Officials highlighted that the Spring Festival has evolved beyond a traditional Chinese celebration to become a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The festival’s values of harmony, coexistence and renewal were described as closely aligned with ASEAN’s principles of unity, cooperation and shared prosperity.
With globalization deepening people-to-people exchanges, speakers noted that cultural diplomacy plays a growing role in strengthening China-ASEAN relations, reinforcing mutual trust and promoting sustainable regional development.
(Economy India)
