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| Millions prepare to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year | Millions prepare to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Millions of people are preparing to celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia. | Millions of people are preparing to celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia. |
| The new year begins on Sunday, when the new moon is seen in the sky. | The new year begins on Sunday, when the new moon is seen in the sky. |
| In the Chinese zodiac, this year will be the year of the snake, taking over from the dragon of 2012. | In the Chinese zodiac, this year will be the year of the snake, taking over from the dragon of 2012. |
| In China, an estimated 200 million people are travelling to be with their families in what is considered the biggest mass human migration on Earth. | In China, an estimated 200 million people are travelling to be with their families in what is considered the biggest mass human migration on Earth. |
| The BBC's John Sudworth, in Shanghai, says the big cities have been emptied of migrant workers, who are now at home in the far-flung provinces, reunited with family, often including their own young children, for the first time since last Lunar New Year. | The BBC's John Sudworth, in Shanghai, says the big cities have been emptied of migrant workers, who are now at home in the far-flung provinces, reunited with family, often including their own young children, for the first time since last Lunar New Year. |
| Saturday evening will see a spike in electricity consumption as an anticipated 700 million people tune in for state television's annual TV gala, a variety performance show in which Celine Dion will sing her theme tune from the movie Titanic. | Saturday evening will see a spike in electricity consumption as an anticipated 700 million people tune in for state television's annual TV gala, a variety performance show in which Celine Dion will sing her theme tune from the movie Titanic. |
| Our correspondent says that, according to one well-known Chinese songwriter, My Heart Will Go On is one of two English songs that are well known in China. The other is Happy Birthday. | Our correspondent says that, according to one well-known Chinese songwriter, My Heart Will Go On is one of two English songs that are well known in China. The other is Happy Birthday. |
| However, the gala's producers have been ordered to make the show a more low key affair, in the wake of the new leadership's recent crackdown on corruption and official extravagance. | However, the gala's producers have been ordered to make the show a more low key affair, in the wake of the new leadership's recent crackdown on corruption and official extravagance. |
| The authorities in Beijing are also asking people to limit the number of fireworks they set off, given the recent high levels of pollution. | The authorities in Beijing are also asking people to limit the number of fireworks they set off, given the recent high levels of pollution. |
| The snake has a mixed reputation in China. It is associated with wisdom, beauty and intelligence but also pride and anger. | The snake has a mixed reputation in China. It is associated with wisdom, beauty and intelligence but also pride and anger. |
| Lucky foods | Lucky foods |
| On Friday, vast crowds of people passed through China's railway stations, airports and bus stations on to crowded transport, many of them making journeys of thousands of miles, sometimes lasting several days. | On Friday, vast crowds of people passed through China's railway stations, airports and bus stations on to crowded transport, many of them making journeys of thousands of miles, sometimes lasting several days. |
| Migrant workers in China often only have one holiday a year in which to visit their home towns, and will be taking the money they have saved back to their families. | Migrant workers in China often only have one holiday a year in which to visit their home towns, and will be taking the money they have saved back to their families. |
| "For Chinese, the most important thing is to be with family. Family always comes first," Jin Yuan, a 34-year-old worker in Beijing told Reuters. | "For Chinese, the most important thing is to be with family. Family always comes first," Jin Yuan, a 34-year-old worker in Beijing told Reuters. |
| "No matter how busy I am, I must go home. That is why so many people in Beijing are travelling home for the Lunar New Year." | "No matter how busy I am, I must go home. That is why so many people in Beijing are travelling home for the Lunar New Year." |
| Vietnamese media said tens of thousands of people were also on the move there. | Vietnamese media said tens of thousands of people were also on the move there. |
| Markets and shops have been selling red and gold decorations - colours considered lucky - for the past few weeks, bearing messages wishing good fortune and prosperity. | Markets and shops have been selling red and gold decorations - colours considered lucky - for the past few weeks, bearing messages wishing good fortune and prosperity. |
| Traditional foods associated with long life or good luck are a key part of Lunar New Year festivities. | Traditional foods associated with long life or good luck are a key part of Lunar New Year festivities. |
| "I'm slicing the rice cake so that people can make rice noodle soup during the holidays," said Oh Jung-sook, a 72-year-old rice cake seller in the South Korean capital, Seoul. | "I'm slicing the rice cake so that people can make rice noodle soup during the holidays," said Oh Jung-sook, a 72-year-old rice cake seller in the South Korean capital, Seoul. |
| "People say that eating rice noodle soup can keep them healthy, age one more year and have no unfortunate events for the family throughout the year." | "People say that eating rice noodle soup can keep them healthy, age one more year and have no unfortunate events for the family throughout the year." |
| Will you be celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year? What do you have planned? You can get in touch using the form below: | |
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