STORY:
Year of Dragon Celebrated

China chimes in New Year with color and flair

(Everything2000) The watchtowers on the Great Wall were set ablaze, bright flags flew through the air and dragons were everywhere as China rang in the New Year. Year 2000 is underway in China and the folks there are excited because this is the year of the dragon.

As the clock struck midnight after New Year's Eve torchbearers in imperial-era regalia lit signal fires on the watchtowers of the Great Wall. In Pudong, the financial district across the Huangpu River, fireworks exploded in the air. In Shanghai; shoppers were busy buying. Shanghai's stores opened up to the New Year crowds and shoppers were out in force.

The cities of China celebrated in different ways, but all celebrated with one thought in mind.

The Year 2000 brings the year of the dragon and that is a special year. The Year of the Dragon starts on Feb 5 and it is seen as a very lucky year. However, just like the mythical beast, it is also seen as a potentially dangerous year.

The mood wasn't as festive in Tiananmen Square. Police arrested six members of a spiritual group who were doing meditation exercises. The group "Falun Gong" continues to stage peaceful protests in the square despite a five-month ban and increased security.

The president of government-owned China Eastern Airlines successfully piloted a commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing that was in-air at midnight. On board the flight, two couples got married. Both received bouquets and congratulations from the fellow passengers.

At the Century Altar in Beijing the President of China started a new eternal flame. , The flame was passed from torch runners who ran from Beijing to Zhoukoudian. Zhoukoudian is historic because it is the place where the remains of prehistoric "Peking Man" were found in the 1920's. The ceremony at the altar marked an attempt to lay claim to a continuous link with an era dating back more than 100,000 years.

Source: Associated Press

DATE: 12/31/99

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