China
Chinese celebrate pre-new year festival
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| Workers shear the moth orchid in a flower market in Beijing, Jan. 18, 2009. The local flower business heats up in the market as the Chinese traditional Spring Festival approaches. (Xinhua/Gao Xueyu) |
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| People select Spring Festival lanterns on a business street in Mengcheng County, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 18, 2009, the traditional Chinese "Little New Year" festival, a week before "New Year," or Spring Festival. The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called "xiao nian" in Chinese, which literally means "Little New Year." Traditionally it is an important occasion when people offer sacrifices to the "Kitchen God" who looks after the family's fortunes. (Xinhua/Hu Weiguo) |
