PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia (CIRAC) on Thursday introduced the preparations and celebrations of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, to Cambodian students.

Held at the CIRAC, the exhibition attracted about 300 students and some of their parents.

CIRAC's Chinese director Xia Xiulong said the event was aimed to demonstrate the ways that the Chinese people prepare and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

He said the New Year activities exhibited at the event included writing and putting up Chinese couplets, putting up New Year paintings, watching CCTV's New Year gala, enjoying a reunion dinner and eating dumplings, giving red envelopes, setting off firecrackers and fireworks, staying up late for New Year countdown, and extending New Year greetings.

"This is part of the activities we organize to promote Chinese culture and traditions in Cambodia," he told Xinhua. "It is also an opportunity for Cambodian students to learn about Chinese traditions and customs in celebrating the New Year."

Kang Keat-hung, a 15-year-old Cambodian student at the CIRAC, said through the event, she could have a better understanding about the glorious Chinese culture.

"It tells me about the Chinese traditions and customs in celebrating the New Year and the traditional games that Chinese people play during the New Year," she told Xinhua. Khov Limhour, a 15-year-old Cambodian male student at the CIRAC, said, "It was an interesting exhibition, and it gave a chance for participants to learn more about China and the ways Chinese people celebrate their New Year."

The Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dog, will fall on Feb. 16.