This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-31514220
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China and across Asia | Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China and across Asia |
(about 5 hours 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. |