An actor dressed as a firecraker hands out lucky money packets to crowd outside a shopping mall in Hong Kong, China, on the first day of the Year of the Ox, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival on 26 January. EPA/YM YIK EPA
A girl poses pictures with an actor dressed as a firecracker outside a shopping mall in Hong Kong, China, , on the first day of the Year of the Ox, 26 January 2009. Festivities marking the lunar Year of the Ox went on full swing on 26 January, EPA/YM YIK
Actors dressed as a Chinese God of Fortune (L) and a firecraker (R) gesture outside a shopping mall in Hong Kong , China, on the first day of the Year of the Ox, 26 January 2009. Festivities marking the lunar Year of the Ox went on full swing on 26 January, EPA/YM YIK EPA
Systems Safety Consultancy (SSCL) consultant Richard Barnes from Britain speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Singapore Flyer in Singapore 26 January 2009. The world's largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, resumed operations on 26 January, the first day of the Lunar New Year. EPA/CHARLES PERTWEE
Filipino dancers perform dragon dance over exploding firecrackers during Chinese New Year celebrations at Binondo's Chinatown in Manila, Philippines, 26 January 2009. Festivities marking the lunar Year of the Ox went on full swing on 26 January, even as Chinese traders in the area operated their businesses as usual. EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG
Ethnic Thai-Chinese people perform dragon dancing to celebrate Chinese New Year in China town, Bangkok, Thailand, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world to celebrate the Lunar New Year or 'Spring Festival' which this year falls on 26 January 2009 as the Year of the Golden Ox. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK
Ethnic Thai-Chinese people perform lion dancing to celebrate Chinese New Year in China town, Bangkok, Thailand, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world to celebrate the Lunar New Year or 'Spring Festival' which this year falls on 26 January 2009 as the Year of the Golden Ox. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK
Indonesian ethnic Chinese women hold incense as they pray during Chinese New Year celebration at a temple in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia on 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world celebrate the Year of the Ox on 26 January. EPA/MADE NAGI
A man prays besides an altar filled with burning joss sticks at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Ox, Monday, and many visit the temple to pray for good health and fortune. EPA/SHAMSHAHRIN SHAMSUDIN
Performers in traditional colourful costumes dance and play music to a crowd of local residents on the first day of the Chinese New Year at the Dong Yue Buddhist Temple in central Beijing, China 26 January 2009. This Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the Year of the Ox according to the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW
Performers in traditional colourful costumes dance and play music to a crowd of local residents on the first day of the Chinese New Year at the Dong Yue Buddhist Temple in central Beijing, China 26 January 2009. This Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the Year of the Ox according to the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW
Performers in traditional colourful costumes dance and play music to a crowd of local residents on the first day of the Chinese New Year at the Dong Yue Buddhist Temple in central Beijing, China 26 January 2009. This Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the Year of the Ox according to the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW
An Achenese Chinese woman lights up candles to celebrate the Chinese New Year eve celebration in Dharma Bakti Temple, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, early 26 January 2009. Ethnic Chinese in predominantly Muslim Indonesia celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 26 as the year of the Buffalo. EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK
Achenese Chinese light up candles to celebrate the Chinese New Year eve celebration in Dharma Bakti Temple, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, early 26 January 2009. Ethnic Chinese in predominantly Muslim Indonesia celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 26 as the year of the Buffalo. EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK
A man burns incense in prayer at the Lama Temple wishing for good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Ox, in Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Thousands flocked to the Lama Temple, the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, to pray for good luck and good fortune. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Worshippers burn incense in prayer at the Lama Temple wishing for good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Ox, in Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Thousands flocked to the Lama Temple, the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, to pray for good luck and good fortune. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Worshippers crowd the Lama Temple as they burn incense in prayer wishing for good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Ox, in Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Thousands flocked to the Lama Temple, the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, to pray for good luck and good fortune. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Worshippers crowd the Lama Temple as they burn incense in prayer wishing for good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Ox, in Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Thousands flocked to the Lama Temple, the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, to pray for good luck and good fortune. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
An actor dressed in traditional Imperial costumes takes part in the reenactment of the Imperial sacrifice ritual in Ditan Park, on the first day of the Year of the Ox, Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world are celebrating the New Year, or Spring Festival as it is also referred to in China. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Actors dressed in traditional Imperial costumes take part in the reenactment of the Imperial sacrifice ritual in Ditan Park, on the first day of the Year of the Ox, Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world are celebrating the New Year, or Spring Festival as it is also referred to in China. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Actors dressed in traditional Imperial costumes take part in the reenactment of the Imperial sacrifice ritual in Ditan Park, on the first day of the Year of the Ox, Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Chinese around the world are celebrating the New Year, or Spring Festival as it is also referred to in China. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Worshippers crowd the Lama Temple as they burn incense in prayer wishing for good fortune on the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Ox, in Beijing, China, 26 January 2009. Thousands flocked to the Lama Temple, the most renowned Tibetan monastery outside Tibet, to pray for good luck and good fortune. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
Performers in traditional colourful costumes dance and play music to a crowd of local residents on the first day of the Chinese New Year at the Dong Yue Buddhist Temple in central Beijing, China 26 January 2009. This Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the Year of the Ox according to the 12 year Chinese cycle of zodiac animals. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW
