The world is bustling to welcome 2018

The world is bustling to welcome 2018. People around the world are welcoming the new year in different time zones, with hopes for good things ahead.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes reform in New Year message

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Xinhua.

In his New Year's speech, Xi Jinping declared that China will resolutely carry out reforms in 2018 because, according to him, "reform and opening up is the path China must take to promote progress and realize the Chinese dream," according to Xinhua.

The Chinese president cited the proverb "When you meet a mountain, pave a path; when you meet a river, build a bridge" to illustrate his determination to carry out reforms.

Australia welcomes the new year 2018

New Year's Eve 2018 fireworks in Australia

New Year's fireworks at Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo: Daily Telegraph.

The most modern fireworks display ever. Photo: Daily Telegraph.

People captured the fireworks display marking the moment of entering the new year. Photo: Daily Telegraph,.

Colorful fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House. Photo: Daily Telegraph.

Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo: Mirror.

Australians attentively watched the performance. Photo: Mirror.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House seen from afar, shimmering under the brilliant light of fireworks. Photo: Mirror.

Fireworks were launched from high-rise buildings along the Yarra River, lighting up the Melbourne sky. Photo: AFP.

Security tightened

On New Year's Eve, London deployed undercover police, armed patrols, sniffer dogs and vehicles to create barriers at festival areas after the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization threatened terrorist attacks, the Sun reported.

In Türkiye, police on December 30 launched a "peace and safety" operation across the country with 80,643 security personnel, 33 planes, 70 boats and 309 police dogs to ensure the New Year's celebrations take place safely, according to Xinhua.

German uniformed and undercover police have increased their presence in almost every major urban centre. Barricades will be set up on key streets. Police will check revelers.

Officials in New York, USA, also announced increased security measures although no specific threats against the city have been recorded. On New Year's Eve, sniffer dogs will be deployed along with detection devices to help detect suspicious objects that may be hidden in clothing. Police will ask passersby to check their pockets.

For the first time, New York police will patrol hotels on Seventh Avenue to respond promptly to attacks from hotel rooms in a scenario similar to the Las Vegas shooting in October that left 59 people dead, including the suspect, and more than 500 injured.

Early fireworks in Singapore

Fireworks take place at 8:05 p.m. during the countdown event at Marina Bay, Singapore. The countdown show at Marina Bay attracts about 300,000 viewers every year. Photo: Reuters.

Fireworks and bright lights create a sparkling scene. Photo: Straits Times.

Rain in Singapore this afternoon has caused some outdoor activities to welcome the new year to be cancelled. Photo: Straits Times.

Berlin creates separate area for women to celebrate New Year to prevent sexual harassment

New Year's Eve celebrations in central Berlin, Germany, will feature a women's safe zone for the first time. The zone was set up at the request of Berlin police to prevent a recurrence of harassment during New Year's Eve celebrations in Cologne two years ago.

Around a million people are expected to attend the outdoor event at the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin, enjoying fireworks and musical performances on the night of December 31. A tent for women will be set up near a shopping mall next to the venue and will be run by representatives of the German Red Cross.

The stage and Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Berlin, Germany, are illuminated while the main stage to welcome New Year's Eve is being prepared. Photo: AFP.

"Courage" and other words were projected onto the ground in front of Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, western Germany, on December 30. This was part of a light project by artist Ingo Dietzel. He collected German people's wishes for the new year, incorporated them into his work and projected them during the New Year celebrations at the region's most famous cathedral. Photo: AFP.

Brazil

Thousands of white balloons are released to celebrate the New Year in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AFP.

Times Square, New York, USA

The light ball is ready for New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York. Photo: Reuters.

The number 18 is lit up, symbolizing the year 2018. Photo: Reuters.

China

In Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China, a giant dog mascot model is decorated with many bright colors. According to the lunar calendar, 2018 will be the year of the dog. Photo: Reuters.

Fireworks explode due to fire in Australia, thousands of people evacuated

Fireworks explode at Terrigal Beach, Central Coast, New South Wales. Photo: Twitter.

Authorities on the Central Coast of New South Wales state have evacuated thousands of people gathered near Terrigal Beach to celebrate the New Year after fireworks packages caught fire and exploded.

The fireworks were scheduled to be launched at 9 p.m. No one was injured in the incident. The fireworks display went on as usual, but without the artistic arrangements.

America faces record cold ahead of New Year

Plunging temperatures and heavy snowfall forced New York to cancel many New Year's Eve events. Photo: Reuters.

New Yorkers welcomed the new year in the coldest weather since 1917. Large areas of New York were covered in snow and ice after several days of cold air that sent temperatures below zero. Due to the cold weather, many events were canceled.

Neighboring Canada is facing a similar situation. Temperatures in Regina and Winnipeg have dropped to near -50 degrees Celsius. In the capital, Ottawa, authorities have cancelled some of the events marking the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation. New Year's Eve celebrations have also been cancelled. However, fireworks displays will still go ahead.

Nearly two million people are expected to attend Times Square's ball drop and other celebrations on New Year's Eve.

Fireworks 'kick off' in Australia

A "family fireworks" display lights up the sky above the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, a warm-up three hours before the larger main fireworks display at midnight.

Fireworks in Sydney, Australia. Photo: AFP.

Sydney welcomed 2018 with a rainbow-themed fireworks display, marking the country's recent legalization of same-sex marriage, AFP reported.

Since December 30, many people from all over Australia have flocked to the areas around the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to find an ideal space to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks display. City officials said about 1.5 million people could gather at Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney authorities say this year's fireworks display will be "the most technically advanced yet".

Fireworks display kicks off in Melbourne. Photo: AFP.

New Zealand enters the new year

New Zealand ushered in the new year with a spectacular fireworks display from Sky Tower in Auckland. Preparations began six months ago to ensure the 3,000 fireworks were launched with precision, creating a captivating display, according to the Independent.

The first place to welcome the new year 2018

The three island nations of Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati will be the first to enter 2018 (at 5pm Hanoi time) because they are in the GMT +14 time zone. New Zealand and Australia will be the next countries to welcome the new year. Japan, South Korea, and a small part of Russia and Indonesia will enter 2018 at 3pm GMT (10pm Hanoi time).

The island nation of Samoa is the first place to welcome the new year 2018. Illustration photo: CNN.

According to VNE

(Information will continue to be updated)