Chinese New Year gala heats heart of London

A jubilant crowd of international visitors join the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Trafalgar Square, the heart of London, Feb. 2, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

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Nathaniel West, a New Zealander in his 20s, who works in London bought a rattle drum from the stall and said he liked the traditional Chinese toy very much. "The lion dance and dragon dance, as well as other performances are awesome, and both New Zealand and London have no such cool festival."

"It's a tradition for me to celebrate Chinese New Year every year, because I spent 14 years in Hong Kong, and every year I would celebrate it with my Chinese friends. So that's why I came here today with my daughter and son," said Mark Riaz, a local businessman.

"It's nice, although it has some differences between London and Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. But I think the music, dance and fireworks are very special," he said.

Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to Britain, Victoria Borwick, Deputy Mayor of London and C.T. Tang, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association, also the organizer, offered the new year wishes before the performances.