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| Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China and across Asia | Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China and across Asia |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Countries across Asia are beginning Lunar New Year celebrations to welcome in the year of the sheep. | Countries across Asia are beginning Lunar New Year celebrations to welcome in the year of the sheep. |
| In China, hundreds of millions of people are travelling home in what is considered the world's biggest annual human migration. | In China, hundreds of millions of people are travelling home in what is considered the world's biggest annual human migration. |
| State media says about three billion passenger trips will be made by plane, train and car over the 40-day period. | State media says about three billion passenger trips will be made by plane, train and car over the 40-day period. |
| It is a public holiday in many places with ethnic Chinese populations such as Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. | It is a public holiday in many places with ethnic Chinese populations such as Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. |
| The festival is known as Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in South Korea, and is traditionally a time to be with family. | The festival is known as Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in South Korea, and is traditionally a time to be with family. |
| In a speech at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people everywhere. | In a speech at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people everywhere. |
| This year the government is urging people not to set off firecrackers, amid rocketing pollution levels in cities. | This year the government is urging people not to set off firecrackers, amid rocketing pollution levels in cities. |
| Celebrations in Shanghai, and in many other Chinese cities, have been toned down this year after a stampede at New Year event in January left 36 people dead. | Celebrations in Shanghai, and in many other Chinese cities, have been toned down this year after a stampede at New Year event in January left 36 people dead. |
| On Wednesday, Hong Kong leader CY Leung also gave his holiday message, describing the last year as full of conflicts and urging citizens to "be like sheep". | On Wednesday, Hong Kong leader CY Leung also gave his holiday message, describing the last year as full of conflicts and urging citizens to "be like sheep". |
| Late last year, a pro-democracy movement brought crowds onto the streets, blockading parts of the city and deeply dividing public opinion. | Late last year, a pro-democracy movement brought crowds onto the streets, blockading parts of the city and deeply dividing public opinion. |
| Various groups came together to demand the right to pick their own leader, without Beijing selecting which candidates can stand for elections. | Various groups came together to demand the right to pick their own leader, without Beijing selecting which candidates can stand for elections. |
| "Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals living peacefully in groups," Mr Leung said. | "Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals living peacefully in groups," Mr Leung said. |
| What are your plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | What are your plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist. | Please include a contact number if you wish to be contacted by a BBC journalist. |
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