Indonesia: Chinese New Year celebrations Feb. 16

Event

The Chinese diaspora in Indonesia is set to celebrate the Chinese New Year, known locally as Imlek, on Friday, February 16. Transportation hubs are likely to be particularly crowded within the next few days as Chinese residents travel across the country as well as across the region to reunite with relatives and friends.

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians have been successful in pushing for the recognition of Chinese New Year as a religious Confucian national holiday in Indonesia, with celebratory events largely organized in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, or at least attended by embassy officials. Heightened security measures and heavy traffic are to be expected in the vicinity of such events, especially in Jakarta.

Authorities in Bali are preparing to welcome at least 15,000 foreign tourists, mainly Chinese nationals, for New Year celebrations. The head of Bali’s provincial tourism office stated that local authorities have undertaken measures to ensure the security and safety of Chinese tourists as well measures to ensure transportation to and from the airport and seaports is well facilitated.

Context

Chinese New Year is China's most important family holiday, with residents typically heading for their hometowns or traveling long distances to reunite with relatives.

Advice

Individuals present in or traveling to/through Indonesia during the Chinese New Year period are advised to anticipate crowded conditions in and around transportation hubs.