President Joe Biden hosts Lunar New Year reception at White House(8 images)

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted the White House's first-ever Lunar New Year celebration on Thursday. Lunar New Year celebrations got underway earlier this week and are celebrated in a number of countries, typically for four weeks as part of the Spring Festival Holiday.

President Joe Biden looks on as the Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe performs during a Lunar New Year reception in the East Room of the White House on January 26, 2023. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI

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From left to right, first lady Jill Biden, Joe Biden and Elaine Tso, CEO of Asian Services in Action, arrive for the reception. The event marked the first-ever Lunar New Year celebration at the White House. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI

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A lion, part of the Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe, walks down the hallway to perform. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI

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The Bidens offered condolences to the Asian American community in the wake of a mass shooting in California that killed 11 during celebrations of the Lunar New Year. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI

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