Celebrations have been held in some Asian countries to mark the lunar new year.

In Beijing, China, restaurants were overcrowded on the New year eve despite of last year’s economic difficulties while many others still prefer celebrating new year in traditional way in their families. In Hong Kong, China, new year was celebrated with fireworks and traditional night parade. The year of snake was also jubilantly marked in South Korea where people think that snakes symbolize prosperity and intelligence.

From the US, president Barack Obama sent his best new year wishes to people around the world. UN Chief Ban Ki moon also wished people a happy new year and hoped that people will join hands to build a peaceful and prosperous world.