Happy New Year! China, others ring in 2026 with fireworks and festivities

China, Malaysia, and the Philippines have welcomed the new year with a spectacular display of lights, drums, and fireworks, as millions across Asia ushered in 2026.

In Beijing, the celebrations were marked with the rhythmic beating of drums in front of the city’s large temples, while bright lights and projections illuminated the skies above. Residents and tourists gathered to witness the event, capturing the moment on cameras and smartphones.

Across the Philippines, revellers in Metro Manila’s Makati district watched fireworks light up the night sky, joining in the countdown to the new year with cheer and excitement.

Malaysia also joined in the celebrations, with public gatherings, fireworks, and cultural performances welcoming the first day of 2026.

The festivities follow earlier celebrations in Japan and South Korea, where bell-ringing ceremonies in Tokyo and Seoul marked the arrival of the new year. In Sydney, Australia, a grand fireworks display lit up the harbour, tempered with a moment of remembrance following the recent Bondi Beach attack