China Now
Encyclopedia
"China Now" is the largest festival of Chinese culture ever in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. It launched in February 2008, with a series of high-profile events to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...

.

Throughout the first half of 2008, until the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, CHINA NOW coordinates about 800 events, performances and activities. It is a showcase of art, design, cuisine and culture, science, business and technology, education and sport – an inspirational celebration of vibrant, dynamic 21st-century China.

As a non-profit organisation, CHINA NOW aims to build partnerships between artists, cultural leaders, schools, businesses and communities across the UK and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

. Through an array of participatory events and activities, CHINA NOW offers insight into China’s heritage and brings the diversity of modern Chinese culture to life. The organizers hope that new connections and relationships developed over the course of the festival will cement partnerships between China and the UK that will last long into the future.

CHINA NOW was conceived by the business community and is chaired by Stephen Green
Stephen Green
Stephen Green, Steve Green and Steven Green may refer to:* Stephen Green , Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint and Minister of State for Trade and Investment.* Stephen Green...

, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc.

CHINA NOW is supported by the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...

, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Kingdom, Madame Fu Ying
Fu Ying
Fu Ying has been serving as vice foreign minister of People's Republic of China after served as the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom from March 2007 to 2009. From 2004 to 2007 she was the ambassador to Australia...

, and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...

, as well as that of all its founding partners and sponsors.

‘Between the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...

 celebrations next February and the opening ceremony
Opening ceremony
An opening ceremony is the official opening of a building or event. The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup are huge events involving thousands of participants and watched by a massive worldwide audience. On a much smaller scale, some ceremonies mark the opening of a...

 of the Beijing Olympics, the UK will be bringing together a festival of celebrations showcasing the very best of modern China.’ said Stephen Green
Stephen Green
Stephen Green, Steve Green and Steven Green may refer to:* Stephen Green , Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint and Minister of State for Trade and Investment.* Stephen Green...

, Group Chairman, HSBC Holdings plc in 2007.

Madame Fu Ying
Fu Ying
Fu Ying has been serving as vice foreign minister of People's Republic of China after served as the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom from March 2007 to 2009. From 2004 to 2007 she was the ambassador to Australia...

, Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....

 of the People’s Republic of China to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 believes that ‘CHINA NOW has a very positive purpose as it seeks to advance the UK public’s understanding of contemporary China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

.’
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