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New Year celebrations around the world

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Almost half of the world has already said hello to 2011, while the other half prepares to usher in the new year. Fireworks displays and bell ringing are among the different ways people expressed the same greeting: Happy New Year.

New Zealand was the first major country in the world to say hello to 2011. In Auckland, a massive fireworks display show celebrated the new year.

Tens of thousands of jubilant residents, joined tourists from around the globe, and gathered around the city's Harbor, to watch the extravaganza.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 1, 2011. [Xinhua/Jiang Yaping]

In Australia, at least 1.5 million people lined the harbor in Sydney to witness a great firework extravaganza.

When the clock struck 12 a massive fireworks lit up the Sydney sky.

At Japan's Zojoji temple in central Tokyo, founded in 1393, monks chanted as thousands packed to countdown until midnight.

Revellers released silver balloons carrying notes with their hopes for the future, as the temple's giant 15-ton bell rang in the background.

In South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak wearing traditional clothes, sent his new year's message. Elsewhere in the capital, more than 80 thousand people gathered to celebrate the new year at Bosingak, where a traditional bell-ringing ceremony took place.

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