As 2025 comes to an end, what has the past year meant for expats living in Guangzhou? For those who have spent years in the city, it might be about trying new things with family in familiar places. For newcomers, it might be a year of firsts and new experiences. So as 2026 approaches, what are people looking forward to?
Following the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in May 2025, China's relationships with nations across Oceania have entered a phase of stable and pragmatic development, driven primarily by economic interdependence and a distinct development model that resonates with regional partners.
A symphony flash mob by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra turned the Taikoo Hui Guangzhou into an open-air concert hall on December 29. Golden melodies and waltz rhythms filled the air, offering shoppers a spontaneous celebration of Viennese charm and kicking off the city's New Year festivities.
In 2025, Guangzhou didn't just open its doors—it ignited a new era of global connectivity. By fully leveraging the power of foreign affairs, we have injected vibrant momentum into the city's high-quality development, positioning Guangzhou as a premier gateway for international exchange. Our global network is more active than ever, reinforcing Guangzhou's stature as a world-class international hub.
The 2025 "Shi Chao" (Lion Dance Super League) Carnival, themed around the High-quality Development Project for Guangdong Counties, Towns, and Villages (hereinafter referred to as "the Project"), opened at Huacheng Square in Guangzhou on December 27.
A Vietnamese media delegation on the China-Vietnam 2025 Media Tour visited Shenzhen in Guangdong province on December 25.
Nestled in the heart of Guangzhou's Tianhe Central Business District, Liede International Neighborhood stands as a vibrant bridge between the city's ancient roots and its global future.
Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport has marked the one-year anniversary of China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, with statistics showing a significant increase in foreign arrivals and growing interest in short-term visits. The policy, designed to facilitate cross-border movement and exchange, has stimulated both tourism and business interactions.
A direct air route between China and Nauru could be launched as early as the first quarter of 2026, the chairman of Nauru Airlines, Charleston Dedenu Deiye, said on December 15 during a visit to Guangzhou as part of a broader China–Nauru friendship initiative.
The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games concluded on December 15, after eight days of competition across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The event brought together 7,824 athletes from 34 regional delegations, featuring 46 sports, including wheelchair basketball, blind football, para swimming, and athletics.
The Greater Bay Area Science Forum 2025 opened on December 7, in Nansha, Guangzhou, under the theme "Industry-Research Integration Drives Smart Innovation in the GBA."
Greeted by Guangzhou's dazzling skyline and a profound sense of cross-cultural connection, the journalists captured the illuminated riverbanks with flashing cameras, engaging deeply with the city's past and present from its iconic mother river.
World-renowned tenor and one of the "Three Tenors," Plácido Domingo, visited the Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre on December 3, strolling through Lingnan gardens and experiencing intangible cultural heritage.
A delegation of 20 journalists from 17 Latin American countries visited Guangzhou on December 1 to attend the 2025 Understanding China Conference, gaining firsthand insights into China's 15th Five-Year Plan, the country's development blueprint for the next five years.
Organized by South, the delegation of reporters from 11 countries discovered a city where cutting-edge technology coexists with deeply rooted cultural traditions, creating a unique blend of past and future along the modern Silk Road.
Wolfgang Schüssel, Former Chancellor of Austria, praised the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a rising global innovation hub.
"The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is the Silicon Valley of China," said Romano Prodi, former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Commission, in a recent interview.
The 2025 Understanding China Conference is set to be held from November 30 to December 2 in Guangzhou.
The torch relay for the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will commence simultaneously in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao starting Saturday. The games run from Dec 8 to 15.
The concert, featuring 19 original Chinese-style compositions by young Guangdong composer Jason Huang, showcased a decade of his work in game soundtracks and stage music, reimagined for a symphonic setting.
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