Dozens of Chinese people celebrated the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year at the Chinese embassy in Moscow on Sunday, with the Chinese ambassador pledging to further promote China-Russia ties.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Liu Guchang hailed the achievements of the Chinese people in the past year, such as the successful hosting of the Summer Olympics, and recalled the difficulties China managed to get through, such as the devastating earthquake that hit Sichuan Province in May.

He expressed appreciation of the contribution made by the Chinese people living in Russia to their motherland's economic growth and peaceful reunification, and hoped they could play a more active role in the promotion of China-Russia bilateral relations.

The most important traditional festival for family reunion and other celebrations, the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on January 26 this year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2009)