All the gatherings in China to celebrate the New Year on Friday were held safely, Chinese police authority said on Saturday.

The Ministry of Public Security said in a statement that a total of 23 New Year celebration events, each with over 10,000 people attending, were staged nationwide on Friday and all went smoothly and safely.

Police across the country launched a first-level public security plan with intensified police patrols and security during the New Year holidays.

Police authorities have also given increased attention to traffic violations, such as speeding, overloading, drunk driving and illegally occupying emergency lanes, as well as inspection and precaution against fire risks, the ministry said.