About 200 Chinese and foreigners gathered in Beijing Saturday to celebrate the upcoming Chinese traditional lunar new year.

The gathering is held by China Society for People's Friendship Studies (CSPFS), and Canada Benerotary International Company.

Ling Qing, vice-president of the CSPFS, addressed the gathering. Chen Haosu, president of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Israel Epstein, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the function.

(Xinhua 01/20/2001)