Organizers of the Chinese New Year homestay program Tuesday started matching expatriates with Chinese host families.

To date, 101 expatriates including 62 families and more than 600 residents including more than 200 families have registered to join the program.

"From those applicants, we are planning to make a total of about 40 to 50 matches," said Yang Haobo, an official with Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.

"The primary issue with matching is about security and we'll do everything we can to guarantee the security of all participating expatriates and Chinese families," she said.

"All those who have signed up will be invited to join the gala party for foreign and local families and some municipal government leaders Jan. 21, 2004," Yang said.

"Expatriates who are matched with Chinese host families will celebrate the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 22, together with Chinese hosts in their homes, but they will not have to stay with the families for the night if they choose," she said.

Lately, organizers have visited a number of host families and found most of them comply with the program's requirements.

(Shenzhen Daily December 24, 2003)