London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced last month plans for China in London 2006, a major season of events and activities taking place from January next year, which will celebrate Chinese arts and culture and the historic links between the capital and China.

China in London 2006 will be organised through a partnership between Visit London, the London Chinatown Chinese Association and the Royal Academy--whose exhibition 'China: The Three Emperors, 1662--1795' will be a cornerstone of the season. Other partners already committed include the New West End Company--covering the Oxford Street and Regent Street areas--as well as leading cultural institutions.

China in London 2006 will begin with the annual Chinese New Year parade and festival--marking the Year of Dog--being organised by the London Chinatown Association in central London at the end of January. During the season all things Chinese will be promoted across the capital, with activities ranging from exhibitions to performance and film, window displays and food tasting, and the promotion of Chinese literature and language.

The Mayor said :' China is the most economy in the world and London is the world's most international city. Our city can only benefit from the strongest possible business, economic, tourism and cultural links with China. China in London 2006 will celebrate that vast country's rich cultural history and the Chinese community's contribution to the cultural and economic life of our capital, underlining the ties that have existed between London and China over hundreds of years.

'This important season willl build on the success of the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, which grew into a week of events across London earlier this year. Over a period of almost four months, China in London 2006 will be a unique opportunity for Londoners and visitors alike to develop a greater understanding of the richness and diversity of Chinese culture.'

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