Mayor Li Hongzhong (L) practices paper-cutting with foreign guests at a party celebrating the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival at the China Folk Culture Villages theme park Tuesday. Foreigners working and living in Shenzhen were invited to the party to guess lantern riddles, taste rice dumplings, practice paper-cuts and play games with local residents.

Newman Huo

More than 1,200 people attended a grand evening party at the China Folk Culture Villages theme park Tuesday to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

The festival, which is regarded as the end of the Spring Festival period, falls on Wednesday.

The majority of participants included Shenzhen-based foreign entrepreneurs and professionals, returned overseas Chinese businessmen and students from about 30 countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

A total of 28 matches of Chinese and foreign families involving 158 people who joined last year's Chinese Lunar New Year homestay program were also invited to the party.

Top city leaders including Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong attended the party.

The mayor said the Chinese Lantern Festival stresses "nao" (which means bustling with activity) with family members gathering together.

A series of colorful performances and other activities, which lasted two hours in the theme park, kept the party-goers entertained despite the cold weather.

The evening party reached a climax when all foreign and Chinese participants sang the traditional Scottish song Auld Lang Syne together, anticipating meeting again during next year's Spring Festival.

Editor: Donald