HOUSTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A grand Spring Festival gala was staged in Houston, the fourth largest city of the United States, Saturday night for overseas Chinese and Americans to co-celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

More than 1,000 people watched the "Cultures of China, Festival of Spring," which is jointly presented by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China, the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Huaxing Arts Group and other Chinese communities in Houston.

The Chinese art troupe performed dances, the Peking Opera, traditional Chinese music and popular Chinese songs.

Zhang Yi, who has been living in the United States for 20 years, said that it was the best performance presented by Chinese artists in Houston in recent years. "My husband is a music lover. All of my family members enjoyed the show very much," she told Xinhua.

Before the performance, Zhang Yongwen, head of the art delegation, said since 2009, "Cultures of China, Festival of Spring" gala has brought famous Chinese artists to perform for overseas Chinese in many countries.

"It is the way to present Chinese culture as well as promote cultural exchange between China and the world," he said.

Houston is the first stop of the troupe in the United States followed by the city of Orlando, San Francisco and Chicago.