Luo Shugang, Chinese Minister of Culture, speaks a "2015 Spring Festival Reception" at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Feb 10.[Photo by Lu Xu/China Culture Daily]

More than 800 programs of the "Happy Chinese New Year 2015" have so far been staged in 320 cities in 118 countries and regions worldwide, Chinese Minister of Culture, Luo Shugang, said.

Speaking during a "2015 Spring Festival Reception" at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Tuesday, Luo said activities of the Chinese New Year celebration began half a month ahead of the first day of the Lunar New Year and will end after the Lantern Festival, lasting about a month.

By then, China will have joined hands with numerous governments, cultural organizations and enterprises to offer blessings and good wishes to people around the world.

Luo said China constantly widens its cultural exchanges and cooperation with other countries, having set up platforms for the exchange of Chinese and western thoughts during the past year.

Envoys from foreign embassies in China attended the reception and watched a large-scale original dance drama about Marco Polo.