CRI听力：People in China Celebrate the New Year in Various Ways

On the first day of 2009, people in China bid farewell to year that has seen its fair share ups and downs - its tragedies and its successes. Our reporter Chen Xi has been taking a look at how people welcomed in the new year.

Reporter:
In China's capital, Beijing, local residents gathered in Tian'anmen square for the first flag-raising ceremony of 2009.

"Standing over here, I'm overwhelmed by the feeling of pride that my motherland, China is getting stronger."

"In 2008, China impressed the world with the Beijing Olympics, and the successful launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, among other things. I'm so happy to see my country is achieving more and gaining more respect."

"We were happy to see the rising patriotism among our fellow countrymen over the past year. I believe the Chinese people are able to conquer any difficulty which may lie ahead."

For many people in Beijing, the resumption of a trolley car service, which dates back over four decades, is the best news for them on the first day of the New Year.

In Qianmen Gate, a 570-year-old business street in China where the trolley cars are rolling again, some senior citizens recalled their childhood memories.

"The trolley cars make me feel like its yesteryear once more. I grew up here and at that time, it was not as good as it is now. The new trolleys have air conditioners and television, but the seats remain almost the same."

"I'm an old resident here and one of the first groups of people taking this rebuilt trolley car. It's a great honour and very memorable as well."

The comeback of this old transport means China's capital city is contributing to endeavors to protect its cultural relics, which ranks high on the governmental agenda for the New Year.(www.hXen.com)

Meanwhile, people in Taiwan are also trying to promote the use of the traditional Chinese characters, as more than ten thousand people attempted to set a world calligraphy-writing record in Taipei.
Young children joined in the event on dozens of tables set up in one of the city's parks.

In Taiwan, a writing ceremony traditionally takes place on the first day of the New Year to offer literary characters to the gods in the hope of a prosperous year ahead.

Chen Xi, CRI News