A window display featuring pigs in a traditional Chinese style has also been installed in the building's lobby windows on Fifth Avenue. Visitors can appreciate pigs as portrayed in various art forms, including clay sculptures, paper cuts, sugar-figure blowing and lanterns.

It is for the 19th consecutive year that the Empire State Building, standing 443 meters above midtown Manhattan, shines in honor of the Chinese New Year.

New York is also known around the world for the splendid firecracker shows that light up the Hudson River and parts of the city during Chinese New Year celebrations.

New York and some other U.S. states have made the lunar new year a public holiday. This is particularly unusual given that the Chinese New Year does not have a set date on the Gregorian calendar. Instead, it falls on a day between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 each year.

In addition to being widely celebrated across the globe, the lunar new year is also a public holiday and important national festival in many countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and South Korea.

The Chinese New Year has become an international event as its traditions and values touch the hearts of people all around the world. As Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, the vision, concepts and values of China's traditional culture are also valuable for addressing the issues that humanity faces.

BEST WISHES FROM WORLD LEADERS

The Chinese New Year also offers an opportunity for foreign leaders to extend best wishes to the Chinese people, seeking closer ties with China, attracting Chinese tourists and consolidating support from Chinese communities.

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