NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- New York City's Times Square on Monday night embraced its first rainy New Year's Eve celebration in 24 years, with a traditional Chinese dragon dance kicking off the countdown at 6 p.m. (2300 GMT) in front of tens of thousands of revelers.
As a national intangible cultural heritage of China, the "Tongliang dragon dance" from Chongqing is originated from Tang Dynasty (907-923 AD). Eight performers from Southwest China's Chongqing held a 15-meter-long colorful and glistening dragon, hopping up and down at the center stage in the square to traditional Chinese folk music.
Though within limited space, the dragon danced with full vim and vigour, winning applause from the crowd.
Organized by the Sino-American Friendship Association and supported by the Chongqing municipal government, the dragon dance demonstrated the passion and hospitality of the mountain city , which invites global tourists to enjoy its breathtaking scenery such as the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River and to have a taste of the authentic hotpot.
Before the dance, the Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping sent out invitations to everyone in the square and those who were watching live broadcasts.
"Welcome to Chongqing! Welcome to China! Happy New Year," said the consul general in high spirit, who was greeted with loud cheers.
The dragon dance was followed by performances by an array of pop stars, such as Christina Aguilera, the Bastille, and Sting till the midnight.
As always, the celebration was under tight security as the New York Police Department deployed thousands of uniformed and plain-clothes men to the square and in the crowd. Over 200 vehicles and some 1200 security cameras were deployed.
Despite the drenching downpour, many people waited for over 12 hours in order to get a good spot to witness the ball drop, a New Year's Eve tradition in the Big Apple since 1907.
The 12-foot (3.65 meters) ball, which is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, would descend down a flagpole at 11:59 p.m. local time (0459 GMT Jan. 1) and come to a rest as the New Year kicks off.
Liu Yi from China's southwest province of Sichuan was among the spectators in raincoats. As a design major who graduated from Jefferson University in Pennsylvania, Liu wished she could find a good job within the industry in 2019.
She also expressed sincere hopes for her motherland to continue to prosper in the new year. "I hope Chinese designs could become popular around the world," she said.
Benito Leon, from Louisiana, hadn't seen his sister for 18 years since she moved to Mexico, and was thrilled to reunite with her on this special occasion. His new year wish was that the world could be "full of love and full of peace," he said.
