New Year LIVE updates: Celebrations begin as world enters 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for more effort and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic, in his first comments addressed to the public on COVID-19 since his government changed course three weeks ago and relaxed its rigorous policy of lockdowns and mass testing.

Japan and the Republic of Korea usher in the New Year 2023 celebrations.

While COVID-19 continues to cause death and dismay, particularly in China, which is battling a nationwide surge in infections after suddenly easing anti-epidemic measures, countries had largely lifted quarantine requirements, restrictions for visitors and relentless testing that had limited travel and places people can go to.

Celebrations are being held at the Great Wall in Beijing, while in Shanghai authorities said traffic will be stopped along the waterfront Bund to allow pedestrians to gather on New Year’s Eve. Shanghai Disneyland will also hold a special fireworks show to welcome 2023.

Indonesian soldiers stand guard in the main business district on New Year’s Eve in Jakarta, Indonesia, ahead of celebrations. It comes after President Joko Widodo said they are lifting all Covid-related restrictions nationwide almost three years after officials announced the first confirmed case of the virus in the country.

Sydney is welcoming in the new year with more fireworks after an earlier display “inspired by the land, sea and sky”.

UK’s chief medical officer told New Year’s Eve partygoers “don’t drink too much” to help reduce pressure on the over-stretched health service. Sir Frank Atherton urged people to “behave sensibly” as millions around the UK get ready to welcome in 2023.

“I agree people generally behave very sensibly,” he told BBC One’s Breakfast programme. 

London mayor Sadiq Khan said tickets to watch the city’s fireworks display are sold out.

“Everyone is excited about the fireworks tonight. Sadly tickets are sold out for the event—if you don’t have a ticket you won’t be able to enter,” he tweeted reminding people without tickets that they can watch the fireworks live on TV tonight. The fireworks display is taking place at the London Eye, with thousands of people expected to watch it from Victoria Embankment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would never give in to the West’s attempts to use Ukraine as a tool to destroy Russia in a New Year’s video message broadcast on Russian state TV. 

Tokyo is still a few hours off from ringing in 2023. However, images from the Japanese capital show volunteers handing out food to the homeless. Besides the sukiyaki box lunches, volunteers were handing out bananas, onions, cartons of eggs and small hand warmers at the park. Booths were set up for medical and other consultations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on for more effort and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic, in his first public comments on Covid-19 since his government changed course three weeks ago and relaxed its rigorous policy of lockdowns and mass testing.

The sun sets behind Wat Arun or the temple of dawn on New Year’s Eve in Bangkok.

In Bali, Indonesia, a cultural parade with dancers is ongoing in Denpasar. Images show Balinese dancers in traditional dress performing to crowds as they gear up to welcome 2023.

Malaysia’s government cancelled its New Year countdown and fireworks event at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur after flooding across the nation displaced tens of thousands of people and a landslide killed 31 people this month.

The country’s famous Petronas Twin Towers said it would pare down its celebration with no performances or fireworks.

Authorities in military-ruled Myanmar announced a suspension of its normal four-hour curfew in the country’s three biggest cities so residents can celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, opponents of army rule are urging people to avoid public gatherings, claiming the authorities might stage a bombing or other attack and blame it on them.

Celebrations are being held at the Great Wall in Beijing, while in Shanghai authorities said traffic will be stopped along the waterfront Bund to allow pedestrians to gather on New Year’s Eve. Shanghai Disneyland will also hold a special fireworks show to welcome 2023.

It is held three hours before midnight so that young children get a chance to join in the festivities before their bed times.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 this year, marking the end of an era. Queen Elizabeth II died in Balmoral Castle, one of the late queen favourite places. Read here

Today, the world will bid farewell to 2022 and get ready to ring in 2023 with enthusiasm. Google has released another colourful doodle to celebrate the end of 2022 online.

Oceania is the region of the world that celebrates the New Year first. Tiny Pacific island nations Tonga, Kiribati, and Samoa are the first to ring in the new year since their calendar year begins on January 1 at 10 am GMT, or 3:30 pm in India.

The uninhabited islands Baker Island and Howland, which are nearby, are the last places in the world to ring in the New Year, beginning their celebration on January 1 at 12 p.m. GMT or 5:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time.

New Year is a time to celebrate with family and friends while bidding farewell to the year gone by. People mark the joyous occasion with gifts, lavish feasts, parties and more. Every year, the celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve (December 31) and continue till the early hours of January 1. Read here

New Year 2023 is here. The New Year eve brings out the brightest celebrations around the world. Here’s a look at how the world is celebrating the coming of 2023 with their unique traditions and memorable extravaganzas. Read here

Not all of the world’s regions observe the New Year simultaneously.  Even while the countdown to 2023 begins exactly before midnight everywhere, not everyone celebrates the New Year at the same time. People from all around the world will celebrate the beginning of the new year throughout the day.

Paris will stage its first New Year fireworks since 2019, after the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to Covid. A 10-minute firework show is set to kick off at midnight, with 500,000 people expected to gather on the famous Champs-Elysees avenue to watch it.

The celebrations in New Zealand’s largest city are expected to be well-received after COVID-19 forced them to be canceled a year ago. Authorities expect revelers to gather at several vantage points across the city including Devonport, which enables a view of the festivities across the harbor. Other features include a laser light and animation show, which will take in several landmarks in Auckland.

As the globe bids adieu to 2022- a year marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Covid pandemic and conflicts, the world commemorates a fresh start of a calendar year annually by sharing greetings, eating, dancing and having fun. See which country will celebrate new year first and last here

More than 1 million are expected to crowd along Sydney’s waterfront for a multi-million dollar celebration based around the themes of diversity and inclusion. Organizers have said a rainbow waterfall will be a prominent feature of the New Year’s Eve party. More than 7,000 fireworks will be launched from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a further 2,000 from the nearby Opera House.

New Year 2023 is here and as we say goodbye to 2022, not everyone celebrates the New Year in the same way. You will be surprised at how different celebrations are around the world. While some countries have the tradition of breaking plates on the new year, in others people hang onions on their doorsteps to usher in the new year. Read here