Thousands welcome in Chinese Year of the Rat

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Performers wearing elaborate costumes and dancers carrying ornate dragons and lions paraded through the West End before the opening ceremony at Trafalgar Square.

Martial artists as well as contemporary music and dance performers entertained the crowd, while fireworks and firecrackers were set off in Leicester Square throughout yesterday afternoon.

Cultural stalls were also set up in Chinatown during the celebrations which are thought to be the biggest outside Asia.

The festivities are part of China in London 2008, the third city-wide season of Chinese culture organised by Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Chu Ting Tang, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association, said: "London's celebrations - the biggest outside Asia - certainly allow people to celebrate in spectacular style."