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TOPIC

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated across China and in many parts of Asia and the world where Chinese communities can be found. It is often marked by time off work or school and includes family visits, meals together, and games like mahjong.
To celebrate the Year of the Horse 2026, three Hong Kong banks will offer brand-new and “good as new” banknotes for customers to put in red packets, from February 3-16. Participating bank branches will open at 8am for the first three days of the programme. Photo: Getty Images
Chinese culture

Reservations now open for new banknotes for Year of the Horse red packets

HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOC are taking bookings for the new and ‘good as new’ banknote exchange at certain branches from February 3-16.

India

Nipah cases in India raise regional anxiety but experts say escalation unlikely

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Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong Lunar New Year parade to feature Labubu, wishing tree on floats

Social media

Video | Sad horse wins over Chinese social media

Factory error of a sad New Year’s horse plushie wins over Chinese social media.

Factory error of a sad New Year’s horse plushie wins over Chinese social media
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Chinese culture

Is this ‘unlucky’ chocolate mahjong set cultural appropriation?

A Hong Kong-based chocolate company is facing criticism for its Lunar New Year set, which features a winning hand known as ‘13 Orphans’.

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Chinese culture

What does AI predict will happen in the fiery Year of the Horse 2026?

With the rise of AI mirroring the Year of the Fire Horse’s restless energy, we ask DeepSeek, Perplexity and Gemini their 2026 predictions.

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Year of the Horse 2026

Saddle up with lucky horse-motif jewellery for the Lunar New Year

Anna Hu, Cece Jewellery, Jade Trau, YSSO, Roxanne First and Lionheart are among the jewellers embracing equestrian motifs.

Cece Jewellery’s A Traveller’s Tale is among the equestrian-themed collections being rolled out ahead of the Year of the Horse. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s southbound travel scheme is 1 month old. Are people signing up?

Policy launched in late December allows Guangdong drivers to enter Hong Kong’s urban areas under daily quota system.

Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Snakes, from money to health

Snakes will enjoy increased wealth and stable relationships in the Year of the Fire Horse, but curse stars will bring ailments and stress.

Chinese culture

Is the Year of the Snake’s 12th month lucky for you? Forecasts for all signs

Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down this lunar month’s prospects for all 12 Chinese zodiac signs in health, love, work and finances.

How’s your luck in the Year of the Snake’s 12th month? Feng shui master Andrew Kwan gives his predictions for all 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs. Photo: Shutterstock
Apple

Apple cuts prices for Lunar New Year as competition heats up in mainland China

Apple offers discounts on iPhones, MacBook and other products – its second promotion in a month ahead of the holiday.

Apple led the smartphone market in mainland China with a 22 per cent share in the fourth quarter of 2025. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

5 lucky foods to savour this Lunar New Year for wealth and happiness

Here are the lucky dishes to eat this festive season, from prosperity-generating oysters to biang biang noodles symbolising a long life.

Malaysia

Johor businesses prepare for Singaporeans’ Lunar New Year shopping spree

Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge.

China society

Opinion | In China, the pressure on women to marry is deadly serious

Wedding-day death of Henan teacher highlights desperation of young women caught between modern hopes and traditional expectations.

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Some people in China are sharing AI-generated videos of middle-aged single women crying in hospitals, regretting their choice not to marry or have children. Photo: SCMP composite / Shutterstock / Douyin
Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dragons, from career to romance

The Year of the Fire Horse will bring Dragons good luck in terms of career development, but the outlook for romance and health isn’t so rosy.

Will the Year of the Horse 2026 be a lucky one for Dragons? Fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha shares her predictions for wealth, relationships and health. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Rabbits, from career to romance

The Year of the Fire Horse will bring Rabbits good luck at work, and romance will blossom. But they should pay attention to their health.

Chinese culture

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 will be luckier in wealth than love for Oxen

While wealth, career and health fortunes will be good for Oxen in the Year of the Fire Horse, true love might be hard to come by.

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Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Tigers, from career to romance

The Year of the Fire Horse will bring Tigers increased wealth, but things could get ugly at work, and medical conditions might worsen.

Will the Year of the Horse 2026 be a lucky one for Tigers? Fortune-teller Tong Pik-ha shares her predictions for wealth, relationships and health. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Hong Kong society

Galloping horses theme of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year fireworks display

Jockey Club will sponsor show as part of campaign to celebrate the equine zodiac throughout the Year of the Horse, from races to exhibitions.

Chinese culture

Why the Year of the Horse 2026 could be a tough one for Rats

Unlucky stars in the Year of the Fire Horse mean Rats will have to work hard to reap rewards at the office, and travel with caution.

Tencent

Uber’s WeChat tie-up pays off as demand from Chinese tourists rises overseas

Uber will offer a discount of at least 40 per cent during Lunar New Year for new mainland users who join via its WeChat mini-program.

New York-listed Uber operates in 70 markets globally. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese culture

7 horse-themed Chinese idioms to use during the Year of the Horse

Horses symbolise strength, speed and health in Chinese culture. Here are seven sayings based on the animal, with Cantonese pronunciations.

Horses are the subject of many Chinese idioms. Here are seven of the most popular horse-related expressions in Chinese, how to pronounce them in Cantonese and the stories behind them. Photo: Shutterstock
Alibaba

Alibaba’s Qwen AI app hits 100 million users as update widens role in daily life

Chinese e-commerce giant deepens integration of its fast-growing app to enable voice-powered shopping, travel and digital tasks.

Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Pigs, from money to love and health

After a volatile year, Pigs will enjoy success at work in the Year of the Fire Horse, but need to pay close attention to their health.

Artificial intelligence

OpenAI sees another ‘seismic shock’ from China as talks swirl of DeepSeek launch

There is heightened anticipation about a potential major DeepSeek release around the Lunar New Year.

Open-sourcing AI models “in weeks, rather than months” helps DeepSeek and other Chinese tech firms drive global adoption, according to OpenAI. Photo: Shutterstock
Regulation

Beijing opens antitrust investigation into Trip.com before Lunar New Year break

The Trip.com case shows how China’s regulatory inquiries into various online platforms have become the norm.

Trip.com Group is China’s largest online travel services provider. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek stays mum on next AI model release as technical papers show frontier innovation

Hangzhou-based start-up’s technical papers bode well for potential advances in its next major AI models.

Chinese culture

Year of the Horse 2026 predictions for Dogs, from success at work to love

Harmony with the tai sui deity means Dogs’ wealth will grow in the Year of the Fire Horse, but certain relationships will need nurturing.

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