The Mawei-Matsu Lantern Festival, the first national intangible cultural heritage connecting both sides of the Taiwan Straits, has kicked off in southeast China's Fujian Province. Featuring lanterns from both the mainland and Taiwan region, the event celebrates the Chinese New Year as a shared tradition. This year's 23rd edition, upgraded to coincide with the first "world ICH (intangible cultural heritage) edition" of the Spring Festival, will run for a record 53 days.