CRI听力:Millions Around the World Celebrate New Year

Countries across Asia bid farewell to 2013 with fireworks and laser-light shows that lit up the night sky across the region.

Here in Beijing, to welcome the New Year, a spectacular light show illuminated parts of the Great Wall, with dancers and drummers performing on its ramparts.

Yu Huijun is a student who joined the celebration.

"I have never had this kind of new year celebration before. Celebrations in the past were pretty ordinary, but it is quite special that we celebrate the new year at the Great Wall. It's nice."

Across the Taiwan Strait, in Taipei, the cityscape was set alight when fireworks showered from the sides of The over 500-meter tall Taipei 101 building.

In South Korea, thousands gathered for the New Year countdown at the traditional bell-ringing ceremony in Seoul.

The crowd at the Bosingak bell tower counted down to midnight and cheered as the bell tolled to announce the start of 2014.

In Thailand, amid the political unrest still taking place in Bangkok, thousands of anti-government protesters spent their New Year protesting on the streets.

The protesters have threatened to shut down Bangkok to start this year, with plans to block roads in up to 20 places.

Others, though, prayed in temples for a peaceful 2014 in the Thai capital.

"I wish Thailand will be more prosperous with no fighting. I wish people will reconcile for new year."

A few hours later, the people of Iraq also took time to express hope for a peaceful and safe new year amid increased security at Baghdad's checkpoints.

The formerly-American-occupied city still has Christmas trees and other non-Muslim decorations still adorning stores in the capital on New Year's Eve.

"Happy new year to all Iraqi people and I hope that peace and security prevails among the Iraqi people. I hope that Iraq will regain its true position in the world. I wish love and prosperity for all in the New Year."

Meanwhile, in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, displaced Syrians are hoping for a return home in the new year.

"We hope to return back home in the new year, and to look for a good future for our children in Syria, our beloved homeland. I hope to see our children studying and living there."

An estimated 130-thousand Syrian refugees are sheltered in the Zaatari camp, most of whom are women and children under the age of 18.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.