Chinese New Year: World dumpling eating record achieved in celebration

The previous world dumpling eating record was achieved in 2013

A world dumpling eating record has been achieved in Australia to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Food is a very significant aspect of the celebrations, with several traditional dishes eaten during the annual event by those who observe it.

Dumplings are typically eaten throughout the festivities as a symbol of wealth, due to their resemblance to gold ingots, a form of currency used during the Ming dynasty in China.

It's believed that the more dumplings you eat, the more prosperous you may be in the coming year.

To see in the Chinese New Year, 764 people sat together in Sydney to eat dumplings at the same time.

Every individual taking part in the food-filled occasion was given four dumplings each, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

In order to achieve the record, they all had to eat at least two dumplings each.

The previous world record was set in 2013, when 750 people ate yum cha, otherwise known as dim sum, at the same time in Melbourne.

For the latest world record attempt, 100 tables were laid out across Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour.

The event was monitored by official adjudicators from the Guinness World Records, who were on hand to provide an official certificate authenticating the new record.

The certificate was accepted by City of Sydney councillor Jess Scully and Australian radio presenters Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones.

"Sydney is widely regarded for its array of high quality, diverse cuisines from across Asia and dumplings are always a favourite," said Clover Moore, lord mayor of Sydney.

According to ABC News, the Australia-China Trade Association is calling for the Lunar Near Year to be regarded as a public holiday in Australia due to the large number of people who celebrate it.