Residents of Beijing are enjoying magnificent displays of firecrackers, after the capital city lifted its 12-year ban on setting off firecrackers during the traditional Spring Festival.

    Temple fa

Lion dancers perform at a temple fair in Beijing Jan. 28, 2006.(Xinhua Photo)

irs are also been held in many Chinese cities, where people are thronging to do shopping and observe performances.

    Meanwhile, compared with just staying indoors, many Chinese people prefer to travel during the week-long holiday.

    Leaders from the central government have also extended their greetings and care to people.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday visited the people in the revolutionary base of Yan'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to extend Spring Festival greetings to them.

Meanwhile, Premier Wen Jiabao visited the people in east China's Shandong Province on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the most important Chinese festival with the local citizens.

    On Sunday, Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Chen Yujie, has extended greetings to the Chinese living or studying abroad.

Vice-minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Wang Zaixi, sent Spring Festival wishes to Taiwan compatriots through the People's Daily Online.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)