Australian police are seeking two people for allegedly vandalizing a century-old Chinese parade dragon and other valuable artefacts at a museum in a small town known for its historic links to China.

But 2024 may just see another baby boom for China, for the same reason as 12 years ago: it’s a Year of the Dragon. Dragons are a big deal in Chinese culture.

Chinese New Year arrives Feb. 9, and 2024's year of the Dragon is a favorite in Zodiac signs.

Bird and Bamboo, Ten Bamboo Studio Collection of Calligraphy and Painting, c.1633, China, colour woodblock print on paper, copyright The Trustees of the British Museum The Verdict?

The Chinese dragon years over the last century were 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024. The next Year of the Dragon won’t come again until 2036.

But some Chinese state media have been calling it the year of the loong in their English reports. Loong (pronounced like the English word “long”) sounds like the Mandarin term for dragon.

This Insane 'Dragon Bike' Was Made For A Chinese Client Using 3D Printing By Benjamin Zhang Youtube/Ajaces May 1, 2014, 12:35 PM PT ...