One of the links I had says eating meat on New Years's day is unlucky. Although, the dumplings are stuffed with pork and the chicken recipe includes chicken. I guess that's for New Year's eve. I remember going to one feast one year that had 17 courses. They were small portions, except for the dessert, but it was still 17 courses!

As for relevance, it's no less relevant that US New Year's customs which have been posted in the past. It's cultural anthroplogy in action.