国内英语新闻:State leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to nation

BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leaders on Friday offered their Spring Festival greetings to people across the nation at a gathering to mark the incoming Lunar New Year.

President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin attended the gathering, held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao presides over a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 12, 2010

Other leaders including Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also attended the gathering.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival for family reunion in China. It falls on Feb. 14 this year, and the weeklong holiday kicks off Saturday, or the eve of the Spring Festival.

Top Communist Party of China (CPC) and state leaders Hu Jintao (front, C), Wu Bangguo (front, 4th R), Wen Jiabao (front, 4th L), Jia Qinglin (front, 3rd R), Li Changchun (front, 3rd L), Xi Jinping (front, 2nd R), Li Keqiang (front, 2nd L), He Guoqiang (front, 1st R) and Zhou Yongkang (front, 1st L) attend a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 12, 2010