The Chinese capital held a series of spectacular celebrations December 31 to greet new century and new millennium. Those involved in a grand ceremony at the China Centenary Altar showed great joy when the celebrations started.

A 50-meter-long huge dragon, escorted by eight other dragons, were fluttering on a platform; forty-five young couples were dancing cheerfully; actors and actresses were providing vivid Beijing opera for audience; and children were brandishing flowers alongside the altar.

The altar, covering an area of 4.5 hectares, was decorated with red lanterns and colorful lamps. The project was just completed as the only large symbolic structure to greet the new millennium.

Nearly 10,000 people from a dozen districts and counties of Beijing sang and danced at a road section from the altar to Beijing West Railway Station. All of them expressed their wishes for a more magnificent China and a more bright future.