People from all over the world were swept away by the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, in late February.

During the Spring Festival, Qingtian county in Southeast Zhejiang province organized an "Overseas Chinese Hometown Chinese New Year" event where overseas Chinese and people from more than 20 foreign countries, including the US, Spain, Greece and Ghana, were invited to enjoy the traditional Chinese festival.

People from Qingtian county, who lived overseas far away from China, also tried to quench their homesickness by taking part in celebrations, along with other overseas Chinese and international friends.

A cultural event "Happy Spring Festival, Beautiful Chinese Spring" was put on at Budapest, capital of Hungary, on Feb 10, bringing the festive atmosphere to local residents.

The Overseas Chinese Union in Rio, Brazil, organized a party to celebrate the Year of the Dog on Feb 11. Qiu Haiqin, head of the union, who is also from Qingtian county, and hundreds of overseas Chinese spent the night together.

At Rotterdam, the Netherlands, an inauguration ceremony for the 16th council of Qingtian Association was held on Feb 13. A culture delegation from China and representatives from overseas Chinese societies in countries including France, Belgium and Luxembourg took part in the activity and gave each other New Year wishes.

On Feb 15, Spring Festival's Eve, the ring of New Year Bell in Brussels initiated the celebration for 2018 China Tourism Year and "Happy China, China Impression" activity. The performances given by the art troupe from Shenzhen helped local residents get a taste of Chinese culture, bringing happiness and joyousness of Chinese New Year to the capital of Belgium.

People in Spain can learn about "Qingtian Sugar Cake" if they turn on their TV and watch the channel of Aragon on Feb 16. Liu Xiumian, a girl from Qingtian county, recommended the traditional specialty at a TV program and explained its history and making methods in detail.

A Spring Festival temple fair was put on at the Chinese community in Rome by overseas Chinese Union on Feb 18. Traditional Chinese culture like dragon and lion dances, Peking Opera, kung fu, paper cutting, tea art, traditional medicine and food were demonstrated for local Italians and the Chinese living there.

Wu Feifei, member of the standing committee of Qingtian county, explained that there are about 330,000 Qingtian people living or working abroad, in more than 120 countries and regions. Statistics show that 681 celebrating events were held in those countries during the Spring Festival.