The joyful Chinese New Year is a celebration of hope and new beginnings and China hopes that the spirit of harmony and inclusiveness as well as vibrancy and prosperity will serve as a force for unity and inspiration for the world in the year to come, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

Lin made the remarks in response to a media question for comments regarding people around the world celebrated the Chinese New Year with colorful celebration activities and "China Travel" kept trending as foreign visitors came to China to experience the festivity firsthand. Some commentators said that the Spring Festival has gained worldwide popularity.

Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC

Lin noted that this Spring Festival is the first one since the inscription of the festival on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. China is glad to see that as China puts more countries on the visa-free list and fully relaxes and improves visa-free transit policy, the Chinese New Year is becoming a worldwide celebrated festival, with nearly 20 countries designating the Spring Festival as an official holiday and Spring Festival customs celebrated in almost 200 countries and regions. The festival was celebrated around the world with joy in such activities as traditional temple fair, dragon and lion dance, float parade, Hanfu clothing experience, lit-up of landmarks in Chinese red, and "a taste of China".

"Meanwhile, foreign friends have shown growing enthusiasm for visiting China during the Chinese New Year. Data from third-party platforms indicate that inbound arrivals during this year's Spring Festival leaped by 150 percent year on year, hitting a new high." Lin added.

Lin also said that in Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes agility, wisdom and vitality. In this Year of the Snake, China will forge ahead with an enterprising spirit, focus on China's development and join hands with other countries in building a bright future featuring win-win cooperation. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)