Hong Kong has celebrated the start of Chinese New Year with an extravagant display of fireworks, while a cold snap across China failed to dampen celebrations.
A total of 23,888 firework shells were fired from three barges in the twenty-three minute firework display, a Hong Kong government press release said.
Parts of the firework show were intended to promote the World Expo 2010 which will take place later this year in Shanghai.
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Thousands of people crowded streets and open areas around Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour to watch the fireworks.
Monday and Tuesday are public holidays in Hong Kong to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Meanwhile snow covered rooftops in China's biggest city, Shanghai, as a cold front swept over the country.
The National Meteorological Administration warned that heavy snow was expected on the east coast while freezing rain lashed parts of the south.
The weather threatened chaos in China as millions travelled to be with their families around the vast nation of 1.3 billion, an exodus believed to be the world's largest annual human migration.
Authorities are hoping there will be no repeat of the massive cold wave and freezing rain that crippled transport systems and stranded millions during the 2008 festival.
