New Year’s celebrations continued across the globe as the people ushered in 2023 with countdowns and fireworks and festivities, marking an end to a year that brought the war in Europe and global worries over inflation.
Australia
Australia, which is one of the first big countries to begin the year, started 2023 with a bang. More than 7,000 fireworks were launched from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and another 2,000 from the nearby Opera House.
“Happy New Year, Australia, wishing you all the best for the year ahead,” the country’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted.
China
In many cities of China, thousands gathered to mark New Year’s Eve and expressed hope that normal life would return in 2023 despite a surge in cases since pandemic curbs were lifted.
In December 2022, China lifted strict COVID restrictions and reversed its “zero-COVID” policy after three years of the pandemic. However, China is currently witnessing a soaring infection rate. In a televised speech to mark the New Year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China had overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges in the battle against COVID and called for more effort and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SHANGHAI!
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) December 31, 2022
People here couldn’t be more excited for 2022 to be in the past. 2023 is a whole new world. No more lockdowns, PCR tests, quarantines.
After so much sacrifice & isolation for three years, finally, people can party without fear @cnn pic.twitter.com/hzXOacIG9G
Japan
Japanese Emperor Naruhito wished for a year where people will be able to lead their lives with hope after one marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian war in Ukraine as well as a rise in commodity and energy prices. “I wish for the new year to be one in which people in Japan and the rest of the world can walk with hope,” he said in a statement.
France
In Paris, thousands celebrated on the Champs Elysees, while French President Emmanuel Macron pledged continuing support for Ukraine in a televised New Year’s address. “During the coming year, we will be unfailingly at your side,” Macron said. “We will help you until victory and we will be together to build a just and lasting peace. Count on France and count on Europe.”
Germany
In Berlin, thousands gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to watch a light and music show and usher in the new year — the first since the pandemic.
In his New Year address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that 2022 was not “purely one of war, suffering and worry.” He said the government was “making our country and Europe independent of Russian gas for the long term,” and vowed to keep up help for Ukraine.
United States
The ball dropped on New York City’s iconic Times Square as huge crowds counted down the seconds into 2023, culminating in raucous cheers and a deluge of confetti glittering amid jumbo screens, neon, pulsing lights and soggy streets.
President Joe Biden began the first day of the new year by watching its first sunrise and attending Mass at a Roman Catholic church in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In a series of Twitter posts, Biden outlined why he thinks 2023 is going to be a great year for Americans.
Biden began by noting that a monthly cap on the cost of insulin for diabetic patients on Medicare takes effect on January 1, bringing relief to almost 2 million Americans who pay an average of $572 annually. He also highlighted that Americans can now receive tax credits to install more energy-efficient appliances for their homes. Those in the market for a car can now also get a tax credit to buy a new or used electric vehicle, Biden added.
United Kingdom
More than 100,000 revelers gathered along the River Thames to watch spectacular fireworks show around the London Eye. The display featured a drone light display of a crown and Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on a coin hovering in the sky, paying tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who died in September.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a video message on social media marking the new year, in which he said he was confident “better times lie ahead” and he wanted people to feel “hopeful” going into 2023. “I may have only had the job for several weeks at this point, but actually I feel good about the future,” he said.
UAE
The UAE welcomed 2023 in style with spectacular drone shows, fireworks, and star-studded concerts on New Year’s Eve. The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is serving as the world’s biggest launchpad for a spectacular show that combines lasers, lights and fireworks. The fireworks display lasted for more than 40 minutes, and more than 3,000 drones flew up the sky of Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, offering an exhilarating and record-breaking show.
Turkiye
Turkiye’s most populous city, Istanbul, brought in 2023 with street festivities and fireworks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his video message and said “We did not leave our nation alone in the face of increasing cost of living in 2022.” Despite the high cost of living in the country, Türkiye has also reached “its history’s highest level in employment rates, production capacity, and exports figures,” The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye.