People across China are celebrating the coming of the New Year 2008. In 2008, Beijing will host the 29th Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics. The year 2008 also marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up.

People view the snow-covered lantern wall that is four meters high and one hundred meters long, made of 365 red lanterns, at a local park of Mudanjiang city in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province on December 29. [Photo: CFP]

Red lanterns have been hung up in front of a store in Haikou in southern China's Hainan Province on December 23, to add festival atmosphere as the New Year approaches. [Photo: CFP]

Photo taken on December 20 shows colorful decorations in a small shop at northeastern China's Harbin city selling hot cakes as the new year approaches.[Photo: CFP]

Workers with Shanghai's agricultural product center carry high quality rice transported from northern Jiangsu Province on December 22. The center has begun to store up supplies to meet the surging demand during the New Year's holiday. [Photo: CFP]

Citizens in Shenyang city of northeastern China's Liaoning Province shop for decorative lanterns on the crowded market on December 19, to brighten up their houses and celebrate the New Year. [Photo: CFP]

(CRI January 1, 2008)