Chinese Latern Fesitval coming Lanterns in various forms are displayed in cities to celebrate the upcoming traditional Chinese Lantern Festival that falls on Feb. 21. Video Chinese leaders hold New Year celebration Beijing prepares for Year of Rat Traffic expected to peak as Chinese make post-holiday journeys The number of bus travelers is expected to reach a peak on Saturday, with 60.95 million people believed to hit the roads as millions get back to their normal lives after the holiday, the Ministry of Communications said on Saturday. Survey: 70% Chinese families watch Spring Festival gala Survey shows about 214 million Chinese in more than 100 million families, or 70 percent of the national total, watched the annual evening gala broadcast live on the official CCTV networks on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Fireworks kill 1, injure 434 during Spring Festival in Beijing One person died and 434 were treated in hospital for injuries from fireworks-related accidents in Beijing during the week-long Spring Festival holiday, local authorities said. China retail sales rise 16% during Spring Festival holiday China's retail sales, the country's key gauge of consumer spending, surged 16 percent during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday despite the worst winter storms in half a century. Chinese netizens moved by leaders' holiday visits to common people During the Spring Festival, many Chinese logged on the Internet to express their gratefulness to the leaders who, once again, spent the most important festival for family reunion with ordinary citizens. more stories Leaders Highlights Transport · Chinese netizens moved by leaders' holiday visits to common people · Chinese president spends Spring Festival in disaster-hit southern region · China's Hu visits disaster area, helps soldiers load relief supplies · Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to people · Chinese leaders extend New Year greetings to veteran leaders · Senior Chinese leader visits noted figures in culture circle · China's air passenger traffic up 8% during Spring Festival · Rail ridership hits record as China's students return to school · Traffic expected to peak as Chinese make post-holiday journeys · Three arrested in counterfeit train ticket scam in S China · Chinese railways carry 24 mln passengers during Spring Festival holiday · Millions on the move at start of post-Spring Festival travel peak

Customs & Traditions   China to seek cultural heritage status for Spring Festival Spring Festival celebrated home and abroad Entertainment & Leisure   Survey: 70% Chinese families watch Spring Festival gala French equestrian theater Zingaro debuts in Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year Chinese New Year concert staged in Vienna HK lantern displays to celebrate Olympic spirit Malta embraces Spring Festival with mesmerizing Chinese folk music concert Special reports     17th CPC National Congress   Beijing 2008 Olympics   China Launches Moon Orbiter   China 's war on snow havoc   Marking 10th Anniversary of HK's Return to China   Marking 80th Aniversary of PLA

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Economy Cross-Straits Charter Flights · Official: S China province plans large joint-stock oil refinery · China retail sales rise 16% during Spring Festival holiday · Household necessities prices stable during New Year holiday · Beijingers spend $95 mlnon Lunar New Year's eve · HK stocks fall 5.4% before Chinese New Year · Chinese low-income families embrace Lunar New Year with price hikes · Mainland, Taiwan airliners make 94 two-way flights in holidays · Cross-Strait charter flights depart from Xiamen on schedule · Cross-Straits charter flight leaves Beijing for Spring Festival trip · Charter flight takes Taiwan compatriots home from Shanghai · China intensifies relief work for disaster-hit areas · Chinese mainland to help snow-hit Taiwan compatriots

Tourism   Beijing receives less tourists during Spring Festival holiday this year 1.2 mln enter, exit Macao during Chinese Lunar New Year Overseas Chinese   Chinese New Year lights up New York sky Empire State Building lit up for Lunar New Year