China Southern Airlines hosted a vibrant Lantern Festival cultural event on Tuesday at San Francisco International Airport, infusing the busy international terminal with traditional Chinese holiday spirit and hospitality.

Red lanterns and intricate paper-cut decorations adorned the airline's check-in counters, creating a festive atmosphere amid the airport's daily hustle. Passengers were treated to complimentary traditional Chinese paper-cut artworks featuring the auspicious character "fu" (symbolizing good fortune), zodiac motifs and creative designs that cleverly incorporated aircraft elements alongside the airline's signature kapok flower emblem.

The Lantern Festival, a traditional Chinese celebration observed on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marks the conclusion of the Spring Festival and usually falls in February or early March.

"Activities like this provide a meaningful way to promote cultural exchange," Wang Wenhui, cultural counselor at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, said at the event. "It also helps attract more international travelers to China."

A festive and cheerful vibe filled the terminal. An elderly American couple, regular visitors to China who preferred to remain anonymous, paused to admire the artifact display.

"We really like Guangzhou because the food there is amazing," they said, noting that the city has become a regular stop on their trips to China.

Several passengers originally from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, also stopped by, expressing that seeing China Southern's familiar kapok emblem and the Lantern Festival decorations evoked feelings of warmth and nostalgia during their journey.

By incorporating traditional festival elements into its aviation services, China Southern Airlines continues to foster people-to-people connections between China and the United States, while strengthening air links between the countries.

"This event underscores the airline's commitment to cultural diplomacy at one of the world's busiest gateways," according to the management of China Southern Airlines' San Francisco office.

China Southern Airlines currently serves three US destinations — Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York — operating a total of 10 flights per week. Through its hub in Guangzhou, the airline offers convenient onward connections to destinations across China and beyond.