History was made this week as ASEAN hosted its first-ever Chinese New Year celebration at its Jakarta headquarters! 🎉 The ‘Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN’ event on Thursday brought together diplomats, students, and business leaders just days before the Year of the Horse gallops in on February 17.
🔥 Why it matters: 2026 marks 35 years of China-ASEAN dialogue and 5 years since upgrading to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Talk about perfect timing!
🌏 Over 250 guests attended, including reps from all 11 ASEAN nations and global partners like Russia, the UK, Australia, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and Brazil. The mix of traditional lion dances 🦁 and modern cultural displays showed how this festival bridges generations and continents.
📈 With Chinese business leaders and ASEAN officials mingling, the event also highlighted growing economic ties – a key focus as both sides work to boost post-pandemic recovery across Southeast Asia.
