China's leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang pose for a group photo with performers at the end of a gala to celebrate the traditional Lantern Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 6, 2012. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday night hosted a gala to celebrate the traditional Lantern Festival. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday evening -- which was January 15 China's lunar calendar -- hosted a gala to celebrate China's Lantern Festival.

President and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao and eight other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee attended the event, along with representatives from the intellectual circle in Beijing.

The eight CPC leaders are Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang.

The gala was presided over by Li Changchun, who extended festival greetings and warm regards to the participants on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

The CPC Central Committee has led the Party and the nation to accomplish remarkable progress in national construction in 2011, Li said.

Li called on intellectuals to contribute more to the building of a well-off society in an all-round way.

Artistic performances were staged at the gala while the participants were tasting glutinous rice balls, a must-have for the Lantern Festival.