Spring Festival celebrations are not just taking place in China. A gala called "Dance, Poetry and Martial Arts" was staged in Paris on Sunday. This was to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

The gala featured traditional Chinese and French dances set to cheerful rhythms, Chinese martial arts, and traditional French gymnastics, as well as opera.

"The alternating performances of Chinese and foreign programs are more resonant to the audiences of the two countries. The unique gala not only shows the China-France friendship but also presents wonderful Chinese Spring Festival culture in Europe," said Huang Jing, the director of International Exchange Department at the China Intercontinental Communication Center.

The audience was incredibly impressed by the performances.

"I love martial arts. And I love the dance show, and the two dancers are so beautiful. The performance is so smooth - I like it very much," said Jean Dolande, who watched the gala.

The gala will be aired via nine different channels of France 5 to an audience around the world on Lunar New Year's Eve, which falls on February 4.

(Top image: Martial arts performers were on stage in Paris, January 27, 2019. /CGTN Photo)