China opens virtual Spring Festival celebration

A festive event open to the globe to celebrate the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, kicked off on Thursday in Beijing.

This year's event will turn online to display Chinese folk culture and activities related to intangible cultural heritage and present performances by artists from both home and abroad, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The celebration, which will last till Feb 26, falls in various forms including virtual exhibits, online concerts, artistical gala and micro-video clips.

It is expected to promote international exchanges in culture and tourism and deepen friendship among countries, said Hu Heping, minister of culture and tourism, at the opening ceremony.