Meanwhile in Dublin, a 17-day-long festival initiated by the City Council to celebrate the Chinese New Year kicked off Friday night with lion dances, a reception served with dumplings and a concert presented in a combination of Chinese and Irish music.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Yue Xiaoyong, and Irish Ambassador to China Eoin O'Leary were among the 200-strong representatives attending the opening reception of the festival at Dublin City Gallery.

Addressing the event, Dublin City Mayor Nial Ring said that the festival this year is the largest of its kind ever held by Dublin City Council since its inception in 2008.