Chinese authorities are hoping that New Year travel and celebrations will provide a much-needed boost to the ailing domestic economy as the Year of the Dragon began on Saturday. More than 170 train tickets had been bought by Friday, as migrant workers return to family homes to celebrate the New Year in line with long-standing tradition. Many travel from the major centres on the eastern coast into the interior. Chinese New Year is marked in late January or early February every year. The Year of the Dragon succeeds the Year of the Rabbit. According to Chinese custom, the dragon brings strength a…