China celebrates Spring Festival

China celebrates the lunar New Year which starts on Tuesday, bringing in the Year of the Horse.

Fairs have been opening at temples across Beijing to celebrate Spring Festival, China's most important annual holiday.

It marks the official beginning of the lunar New Year on 12 February - out goes the Year of the Snake, in comes the Horse.

Performers dressed as imperial guards act out a traditional sacrifice ceremony to ensure good harvests.

People born during the Year of the Horse are said to be good with money and make good scientists.

China - now in the World Trade Organisation - is hoping the year will bring good luck and high achievements.

Vast numbers of people in China will watch hours of celebrations on television.