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Fireworks, temple bells greet 2009
By Liang Yiwen, Li Xinran, Lu Feiran and Xu Wei |
January 1, 2009, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SHANGHAI rang in the new year with fireworks, music and the sounds of traditional bells at the Longhua Temple.
Residents welcomed 2009 across the city in bars, pubs, homes and public venues in a mood that was guardedly optimistic.
With wars, natural disasters and financial turmoil clouding the past year, the main hopes for 2009 expressed by those interviewed by Shanghai Daily last night were for peace and financial stability.
Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said in his new year's address that the city is facing economic transformation and a complicated external environment. The year will bring the city bigger challenges as preparations for the 2010 World Expo enter the final stage.
"We will ensure the steady and stable growth of the economy and continue to improve the livelihoods of our residents as well as the harmony and stability of society and make steady progress on the preparations for the World Expo," the mayor said.
One of the hottest spots to celebrate was the annual Xintiandi Countdown Party at Taipingqiao Lake, which has attracted thousands of expats and locals every new year since 2002.
This year's party featured singing and dancing performances from famous Hong Kong pop singers Eason Chan and Sandy Lam and a children's chorus.
The stage, floating above the lake's surface, featured a giant laser projection system, dazzling lights, fireworks and a magnolia-shaped countdown device.
It was the second time that Xintiandi has collaborated with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
Four newly selected theme songs for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo were performed during the gala, which was broadcast live on Dragon TV.
Rinaldo Lunetta from Italy told Shanghai Daily it was his first visit to Xintiandi and he loved the place, even though he wasn't familiar with the singers.
"I wish to have a lot of friends in the new year, and I want to further enjoy my life and travel more in 2009," he said.
Wu Ye, an employee at the Ernst & Young accounting firm, said she hopes to buy a new apartment in 2009 and also hopes her stocks perform well.
Huge crowds gathered under the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong for a countdown celebration that featured singing, dancing and a video of two Chinese sports superstars: champion hurdler Liu Xiang and Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets' center.
Yao met Liu in Houston, and the two friends decided to send their first new year's greeting to China.
"We wish that every one of you will have a wonderful new year," they said. "We wish that your family gets together and enjoys a good time."
Yao said he appreciated the support of his fans, saying, "I wish to express my gratitude to you. With your support and encouragement, I can strive to fulfil my dreams on the court."
Liu delivered this new year's message: "Whatever difficulties come my way, I will always find hope and confidence in the support of my father and my family. I hope I can achieve many breakthroughs in 2009."
Among those in the audience at the event, which was sponsored by Coca-Cola, Finnish-Japanese Ryn-ichivohe was spending a nine-day holiday in Shanghai, touring and shopping. His hope for 2009 is for a more peaceful world. And he told Shanghai Daily he will be glad to see Barack Obama replace George W. Bush as president of the United States.
Celebrating the arrival of the new year at Longhua Temple, Wu Gang from Anhui Province told Shanghai Daily he hopes to get together with his family and live happily in 2009.
Wu, a security firm clerk, got married last year and hopes the global financial crisis won't cause much trouble.
Shibata Miho of Japan has been in Shanghai for five years and married a local man. She's been going to the Buddhist temple every year on New Year's Eve.
Working for a media company, Shibata worries about the economic situation and wishes for a smooth year ahead.
At the temple, many people tied red or golden ribbons with their written messages on branches of the "wishing tree."
Zhao Cheng, the abbot of the 1,790-year-old temple, also displayed a huge commemorative envelope for people to write down their wishes or sign their names.
Thousands of visitors including a tourism group from Japan signed the document, praying for good luck in the new year. It's the 20th anniversary for the temple to offer visitors a chance to ring its big bell. The temple also said it will donate 300,000 yuan (US$43,500) to charity.
Residents welcomed 2009 across the city in bars, pubs, homes and public venues in a mood that was guardedly optimistic.
With wars, natural disasters and financial turmoil clouding the past year, the main hopes for 2009 expressed by those interviewed by Shanghai Daily last night were for peace and financial stability.
Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said in his new year's address that the city is facing economic transformation and a complicated external environment. The year will bring the city bigger challenges as preparations for the 2010 World Expo enter the final stage.
"We will ensure the steady and stable growth of the economy and continue to improve the livelihoods of our residents as well as the harmony and stability of society and make steady progress on the preparations for the World Expo," the mayor said.
One of the hottest spots to celebrate was the annual Xintiandi Countdown Party at Taipingqiao Lake, which has attracted thousands of expats and locals every new year since 2002.
This year's party featured singing and dancing performances from famous Hong Kong pop singers Eason Chan and Sandy Lam and a children's chorus.
The stage, floating above the lake's surface, featured a giant laser projection system, dazzling lights, fireworks and a magnolia-shaped countdown device.
It was the second time that Xintiandi has collaborated with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
Four newly selected theme songs for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo were performed during the gala, which was broadcast live on Dragon TV.
Rinaldo Lunetta from Italy told Shanghai Daily it was his first visit to Xintiandi and he loved the place, even though he wasn't familiar with the singers.
"I wish to have a lot of friends in the new year, and I want to further enjoy my life and travel more in 2009," he said.
Wu Ye, an employee at the Ernst & Young accounting firm, said she hopes to buy a new apartment in 2009 and also hopes her stocks perform well.
Huge crowds gathered under the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong for a countdown celebration that featured singing, dancing and a video of two Chinese sports superstars: champion hurdler Liu Xiang and Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets' center.
Yao met Liu in Houston, and the two friends decided to send their first new year's greeting to China.
"We wish that every one of you will have a wonderful new year," they said. "We wish that your family gets together and enjoys a good time."
Yao said he appreciated the support of his fans, saying, "I wish to express my gratitude to you. With your support and encouragement, I can strive to fulfil my dreams on the court."
Liu delivered this new year's message: "Whatever difficulties come my way, I will always find hope and confidence in the support of my father and my family. I hope I can achieve many breakthroughs in 2009."
Among those in the audience at the event, which was sponsored by Coca-Cola, Finnish-Japanese Ryn-ichivohe was spending a nine-day holiday in Shanghai, touring and shopping. His hope for 2009 is for a more peaceful world. And he told Shanghai Daily he will be glad to see Barack Obama replace George W. Bush as president of the United States.
Celebrating the arrival of the new year at Longhua Temple, Wu Gang from Anhui Province told Shanghai Daily he hopes to get together with his family and live happily in 2009.
Wu, a security firm clerk, got married last year and hopes the global financial crisis won't cause much trouble.
Shibata Miho of Japan has been in Shanghai for five years and married a local man. She's been going to the Buddhist temple every year on New Year's Eve.
Working for a media company, Shibata worries about the economic situation and wishes for a smooth year ahead.
At the temple, many people tied red or golden ribbons with their written messages on branches of the "wishing tree."
Zhao Cheng, the abbot of the 1,790-year-old temple, also displayed a huge commemorative envelope for people to write down their wishes or sign their names.
Thousands of visitors including a tourism group from Japan signed the document, praying for good luck in the new year. It's the 20th anniversary for the temple to offer visitors a chance to ring its big bell. The temple also said it will donate 300,000 yuan (US$43,500) to charity.
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