People around China welcomed the Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday in the Chinese calendar, with fireworks and family celebrations. At the same time, Chinese leaders used the opportunity to once again tour areas hard-hit in recent weeks by severe snow and ice storms. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.

The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council on Tuesday extended Chinese Lunar New Year greetings to all overseas Chinese, returned overseas Chinese and their relatives.

During the upcoming Lunar New Year China will get a much-needed respite from the arctic weather that has blasted much of the country for the past three weeks, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said Monday.

China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has issued a notice to regulate radio and television adverts during the upcoming Spring Festival.