U.S. billionaire and philanthropist Warren Buffett has appeared singing and playing the ukulele on Chinese state television.

Buffett appeared on a hugely popular Chinese Lunar New Year variety show, singing the folk song I've Been Working On The Railroad, in the video posted on state broadcaster CCTV's “Spring Festival Gala” website Sunday.

Buffett also wished the Chinese people “a happy new year in this year of the dragon.” The Year of the Dragon begins Monday.

Buffett holds a nearly 10 percent stake in Chinese auto group BYD, and he is no stranger to China.

In September 2010, he and fellow billionaire Bill Gates triggered huge media coverage when they hosted a banquet in Beijing for China's super-rich to discuss charitable giving.