Farm work in full swing across China at start of spring

A villager waters the melon seedlings at Xiayi County in Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Wang Gaochao/Xinhua)

A farmer tends to peach blossoms at Dehou Town in Wenshan City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Xiong Pingxiang/Xinhua)

Villagers sows radishes in Hongjiang Town of Suining City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Liu Changsong/Xinhua)

Villagers transfer a basket of freshly picked oranges in Dafoshan Village of Huaying City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 4, 2025. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Qiu Haiying/Xinhua)

A flower farmer works at a flower planting base in Guangshan County of Xinyang City, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Xie Wanbo/Xinhua)

Farmers harvest Chinese cabbage in a farmland in Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Yang Junpeng/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 4, 2026 shows a farmer operating farm machinery in the field in Nanli Village of Qinyang City, central China's Henan Province. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Yang Fan/Xinhua)

Farmers transplant paddy rice seedlings in the fields in Jiaji Town of Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Meng Zhongde/Xinhua)

A farmer grafts watermelon seedlings in a greenhouse in Zhaoqiao Township in Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday marks "Lichun," or the Beginning of Spring, the first of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar. Traditionally, it is also a symbolic start of farming work for the new year. (Photo by Liu Qinli/Xinhua)