NEW YORK -- Chinese Consul General in New York Sun Guoxiang visited the Nasdaq MarketSite Friday morning in New York city with pianist Lang Lang in celebration of the year of the Dragon.

Sun and Lang joined Nasdaq Senior Vice-President Robert McCooey to ring the opening bell for the Nasdaq MarketSite.

Chinese Consul General in New York Sun Guoxiang (C), pianist Lang Lang (R), and Nasdaq Senior Vice-President Robert McCooey (L) pose a playing piano gesture on the Times Square in front of the Nasdaq MarketSite screen for photos on Jan 20, 2012 in New York. [Photo/Xinhua]

"In the minds of the early Chinese people, the dragon was a god that embodied the will and ideals of the Chinese people. Therefore the Chinese often consider themselves 'descendants of the dragon,' " said Sun.

Sun also spoke at the lighting ceremony about the significance of this Year of the Dragon as a symbol of excellence and fortune.

The Empire State Building in New York on Friday lit up its tower red and gold to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Since 2001, an annual lighting ceremony of the Empire State Building for the Chinese Lunar New Year has been held as a tradition. The lighting this year will be on Friday and Monday night.

Chinese Consul General in New York Sun Guoxiang (C), pianist Lang Lang (R), and Nasdaq Senior Vice-President Robert McCooey (L) pretend to play piano in front of the Nasdaq MarketSite screen on the Times Square for photos on Jan 20, 2012 in New York. [Photo/Xinhua]