ASEAN hosts first-ever Chinese New Year celebration at Jakarta HQ

A landmark Chinese New Year celebration was held at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, for the first time ever at the organization's central office.

The event, titled "Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN," came at a significant moment – just days before the Year of the Horse starts on February 17. The year 2026 also commemorates the 35th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue partnership and the 5th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

More than 250 guests attended the celebration, including diplomats from 11 ASEAN member states and partner nations such as Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil. Also present were officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, regional media representatives, local university faculty and students, and Chinese business representatives.

In a video address, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized the cultural connections shared across the region. "Many ASEAN member states celebrate Spring Festival or Lunar New Year," he noted, "reflecting deep cultural bonds that transcend borders." He also highlighted that Spring Festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, recognizing its global significance.

"The Spring Festival represents reunion, happiness, and harmony. Celebrating together is a vivid example of how China and ASEAN member states connect with one another, exchange cultures, and coexist harmoniously," Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Wang Qing said in his address at the event. 

The program offered interactive cultural experiences designed to immerse guests in the traditions of the Chinese New Year. A Spring Festival exhibition and festive market offered hands-on activities including calligraphy rubbing, paper-cutting demonstrations, and traditional cuisine tastings. Cultural performances celebrating the Year of the Horse rounded out the festivities.

The event represents another milestone in China-ASEAN cultural exchange, bringing together diverse communities to honor shared traditions and strengthen regional ties through cultural diplomacy.

(Cover: A group photo from the "Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN" event. /GXICC)