BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Culture said it organized more than 2,000 events to celebrate this year's Spring Festival in over 500 cities of more than 140 countries and regions.

Addressing a meeting held here on Saturday and Sunday on cultural events, Minister Luo Shugang said that 280 million people overseas attended Spring Festival celebrations.

The activities included variety shows and Spring Festival concerts.

Luo said Chinese new year celebrations are welcomed in many countries and local elements were included in the activities.

Nearly 50 foreign government heads or senior leaders sent their new year wishes via media to Chinese people all over the world, according to Luo.