Residents in the Chinese capital Beijing are overjoyed with scattered snow flakes fallen on the ground on the eve of the new year, while people in France and other European nations are annoyed with continuous heavy snows.

"Everybody is delighted to see snow flakes which has so far not seen since this winter season set in in Beijing," said Zhang Rui, a commuter on his way to work by bus early Saturday.

And kids have long been expecting a big snow so that they can build up snow man.

The slight snow fall, measured less than one mm., which ceased around the noon time, will have a little impact on urban traffic and local residents' life, according to Beijing Meteorological Station.

The municipal meteorological station forecasted that the temperature would drop to the maximum of three degrees Celsius Saturday and the skies would clear up the ensuing day, the New Year's Day.

The station also forecasted that a light snow could occur Monday night, the first ever snowfall in the new year with a drastic drop in temperature the following days.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2005)