The Chinese New Year, which starts on Wednesday, is one of the busiest times of the year in China. Homes and restaurants are decorated in red, while many residents travel around the country to spend time with loved ones. However, the occasion is also celebrated in other parts of the world. For the Chinese diaspora, it’s a time of festivities, home-cooked meals, reunions and quality time with family.
Elders often hand over red envelopes filled with money to children and modern-day celebrations also include lighting fireworks. Each year, Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) falls on a different day, typically in January or February, depending on the position of the Moon. The animals that make up the Chinese Zodiac, which runs on a 12-year cycle, include: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
During the Spring Festival, one of the 12 animals is celebrated, paired with one of the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth or metal. This year is calculated to be that of the Wood Snake. Those born in 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977 and every 12 years prior fall under this sign.
According to Travel China Guide, people born in the Year of the Snake are considered rational, calm, thoughtful and loyal to their loved ones. They are also thought to be precise, cool-headed, creative and logical thinkers.
There is countless literature on the zodiac signs, what they mean and how to navigate life using them. China’s agricultural roots are intertwined with the appreciation of nature, and the superstitions and philosophies of the spirit animals have become ingrained in the culture.
Those from the older generations may inquire about someone’s age based on the animal year they were born in, rather than ask a person’s actual age directly.
To date, there’s a sizeable industry in China and Taiwan dedicated to fortune-telling and matchmaking based on zodiac signs. In ancient times, marriages were set up for the prosperity of the family. It’s believed that people of different age groups are beneficial to each other and that marrying someone a few years younger or older can yield favourable results depending on the needs of the family.
Some favourable matches include: the talented snake and the sociable rooster as one likes to lead while the other likes to follow; the steady horse and the practical goat; the brave monkey and the gracious rabbit; and the sincere pig and the loyal dog.
In modern times, some still take it quite seriously, to the point where they make stock decisions and business moves using their foretold fortunes. Others may see it much like the monthly western horoscopes – as fun and speculative, but not life-altering.
Chinese New Year greetings
There are several ways to wish someone a happy Chinese New Year. One of the most popular is to say Gong Xi Fa Cai (or the Cantonese version of Gung Hay Fat Choy), which roughly translates to “I wish you good fortune” or “Congratulations and may you be prosperous”.
The saying is broken down as gong xi, which means congratulations, while fa cai refers to gaining wealth, prosperity and success.
Some other ways to share wishes include simple greetings such as “Happy Lunar New Year”, “Wishing you wealth and health this Chinese New Year” and “May good fortune shine on you in the new year”.
What's the difference between Chinese and Lunar New Year?
Across China, the Lunar New Year is commonly known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. However, in many neighbouring Asian countries, unique New Year celebrations have developed, having been influenced by the Chinese calendar.
Vietnam marks the occasion with Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet, while South Korea celebrates Seollal, a three-day festival rather than a 15-day one. In Mongolia, the Lunar New Year is called Tsagaan Sar, and in Indonesia, it is known as Imlek, a holiday that has grown in popularity.
Tibet’s New Year, known as the Losar Festival, does not always fall on the same day as China’s Lunar New Year, though the dates are usually close. This year, Losar starts on February 28.
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines, along with other countries with large Chinese communities, also celebrate at the same time as Chinese New Year.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Snake: calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Rat: witty, creative, charming
Ox: diligent, perseverant, conservative
Tiger: independent, successful, volatile
Rabbit: gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon: prosperous, brave, rash
Horse: faithful, energetic, carefree
Goat: easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey: family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster: honest, confident, pompous
Dog: loyal, kind, perfectionist
Pig: loving, tolerant, indulgent
Celebrations in the UAE
While many restaurants offer buffets and set menus for the occasion, there are also other activities happening to celebrate Chinese New Year. Dubai's indoor rainforest Green Planet, for instance, is putting its Burmese python centre stage from January 24 to 31. Guests can interact with the snake by way of safely monitored encounters, and learn more about its behaviour, habitats and role in maintaining ecological balance. The venue itself will be decorated with Chinese lanterns to add to the vibe.
Dragon Mart is hosting a line-up of performances from January 31 to February 2, including the Chinese thousand hand and face-changing shows, as well as the elegant Chinese umbrella dance. There is also a themed photo booth experience with traditional Chinese attire that can be worn for the pictures.
MotionGate Dubai is putting on a two-week celebration that runs until February 2. Activities include the Red Warrior Challenge, a park-wide quest in which guests compete to earn red ribbons that can be added to a wishing tree. There’s also a dragon dance parade and the Kung Fu Academy Show, plus live performances by characters from the film such as Master Shifu and Kung Fu Panda.
Legoland Dubai has a 10-day celebration until February 2. Festivities include a red envelopment hunt, lantern making workshops, an arts and crafts corner and a wishing wall to tack on your wishes.
In the capital, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will put on themed festivities until February 9. This includes live performances from lion dancers, acrobatic dance troupes and an art troupe from China.
Umm Al Emarat Park will host an exhibition in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy and Chinese Language Institute until February 1. Titled Together in Light: 40 Years of China-UAE Friendship, the event will showcase four decades of strong ties between China and the UAE. There will also be lantern exhibitions, live performances and cultural activities.
Those looking for themed gifts can check out Laduree's limited-edition red and gold gift boxes with macarons for Dh210. It's available at the French patisserie's Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall outposts. Swarovski has unveiled a capsule collection of pendants, bracelets, earrings and a brooch featuring snake charms, available in gold, rose gold and rhodium plating.
Check out more Chinese New Year-themed collectibles here.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
Results
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THE DRAFT
The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.
Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan
Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe
Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi
Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath
Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh
Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh
Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar
Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
WIDE%20VIEW
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