2013: The Year in China (88 images)

Chinese top leaders and delegates attend the opening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2013. China's new advisory legislative body began its annual session commencing the once-in-a-decade power transfer to a new leadership headed by Xi Jingping from the outgoing government led by President Hu Jintao. UPI/Stephen Shaver

Police patrol Tiananmen Square as the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens in Beijing on March 3, 2013. China's new advisory legislative body began its annual session commencing the once-in-a-decade power transfer to a new leadership headed by Xi Jingping from the outgoing government led by President Hu Jintao. UPI/Stephen Shaver

Personal fireworks celebrating China's Lantern Festival light up the streets and neighborhoods of downtown Beijing on February 24, 2013. China celebrated the traditional Lantern Festival with fireworks and food, with around 6.4 million people traveling on the world's largest rail system at the close of the Chinese New Year holiday. Chinese believe that the more fireworks and firecrackers purchased, the more wealth and health will come for the new year. UPI/Stephen Shaver

Chinese actors perform traditional dances on stilts at a temple fair during the Spring Festival holiday in Beijing on February 12, 2013. Although Chinese traditionally celebrate the start of a new lunar year during the annual Spring Festival, the holiday serves more of an occasion to refresh family bonds. UPI/Stephen Shaver