Chinese communities around the world have been celebrating the start of the Year of the Golden Dragon.

In Hong Kong, a dragon dancer teases the crowd during a Chinese New Year parade in Wanchai district.

Martial arts experts perform a dragon dance in a parade in downtown Hong Kong.

A soldier stands guard next to the car prizes at one of the numerous new year lotteries in Beijing, while ticket sellers sit below.

Temple workers in Beijing haul away thousands of smouldering joss sticks lit by worshippers during new year prayers.

Ethnic Chinese in Jakarta at prayer after the Indonesian Government lifted a 32-year ban on public celebrations of Chinese New Year.

Because of Indonesia's ongoing ethnic strife, soldiers were called in to protect revellers from possible attacks.

But the precautions did not damage the party spirit as ethnic Chinese in Jakarta celebrated the first Year of the Golden Dragon since 1940.

Members of the Chinese community in the Philippines also dressed up to mark the occasion at celebrations in the capital Manila.