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The largest celebration of Chinese culture "China in London 2006" was formally launched on Thursday afternoon with a specially designed Chinese lantern lighting display in the heart of the British capital, switched on by London Mayor Ken Livingstone and China's Super Girl champion Li Yuchun.

"China in London", a season-long celebration that will feature over 100 events and exhibitions across the city, demonstrates the close links between the United Kingdom and China, which is further reinforced by Beijing and London as the next host cities for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After the lighting ceremony in Oxford Circus, Li Yuchun performed in front of a large crowd with British band Liberty X.

The launch also marks the beginning of Chinese New Year celebrations in London, which is traditionally the largest of its kind outside Asia. The annual Chinese lunar New Year parade and festival takes place on Sunday January 29, marking the start of the Year of the Dog.

Chu Ting Tang, president of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, said: "Super Girl Li Yuchun's launch of the China in London season is an exciting curtain raiser to the capital's Chinese New Year celebrations, which are growing every year. Around 80,000 people attended last year's festivities in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square and we expect the turnout to be truly phenomenal this time around."

James Bidwell, chief executive of the Visit London program said: "We're delighted to play host to such an extensive celebration of Chinese culture in London. With Li Yuchun performing, the cultural links between China and London could not be stronger. In 2004, Chinese visitors represented eight percent of all visitors from Asia to the UK and, with the receipt of approved destination status in 2005, we would expect this figure to rise in 2006. This celebration of Chinese culture in London highlights the city's cultural diversity and the economic benefit it brings."

Livingstone said that he will be visiting Beijing and Shanghai late this year with a delegation of representatives from London businesses. "I will be opening London offices in both cities to promote links between London and China. I regard it as the highest strategic priority for London that we develop the strongest possible links with the Chinese economy. It is also central to the continued strength of London, as a financial center, that we remain open to the most important developments in the global economy."

The Chinese season is organized through a partnership between the Mayor of London, Visit London, and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as a wide range of organizations, including London Chinatown Chinese Association, New West End Company, Regents Street Association, London Transport, and the London Development Agency.

Highlights include a spectacular specially commissioned window and in-store display at Selfridges, performances by the Gold Sail Dance Troupe from Beijing, the Shanghai on Screen film festival in the West End and Docklands, as well as a Beijing Olympics Photography Exhibition at London's City Hall.

A cornerstone exhibition is the acclaimed 'China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795', now on show at the Royal Academy of Arts featuring 400 works, many of which have never been shown outside China.

The Red Mansion Foundation, a non-profit organization which promotes cultural exchange between China and Britain through contemporary art, is staging shows like "Bad Girls, Good Girls" and "China Coup". There will also be a wide range of theater, dance and live performances such as 'Yellow Gentlemen', a new play by Benjamin Yeoh, and a version of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Nightingale' by Yellow Earth Theater Company.

London attracts around 30 percent of Chinese foreign investment projects in the UK, the largest European recipient country of such projects.

 (Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2006)