Chinese and U.S. officials join performers from Southwest China’s Chongqing in a performance of the famous “Tongliang dragon dance” that kicked off the New Year celebration at Times Square in New York City on Monday night. As a national intangible cultural heritage of China, the Chongqing dance originates from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Eight performers held a 15-meter-long colorful and glistening dragon, hopping up and down at center stage in the square to traditional Chinese folk music. New York Times Square’s New Year celebration has been held for 111 years and attracts over one million people every year.        (Story on P5)China News Service