London kicked off what were heralded as the largest Chinese New Year
celebrations outside Asia, beginning a major festival of the country's artistic,
cultural and culinary heritage.
Chinese pop star Li
Yuchun (L) and London's Mayor Ken Livingstone launch "China in London 2006"
by switching on a Chinese Lantern display and releasing ballons at Oxford Circus
in London. [AFP]
Pop superstar Li Yuchun, 21, was guest of honour in the busy Oxford Street
shopping district to switch on the hundreds of red Chinese lanterns
that will light the way to the bustling Chinatown district of Soho.
Fans of the singer, who shot to fame after winning a TV talent contest,
travelled from across Britain to catch a glimpse of their idol, including Chuan
Yao, who trekked 410 miles (660 kilometres) from the Scottish capital.
"I'm really excited about this," the 23-year-old Chinese literature student
at Edinburgh University told AFP while clutching a poster of her heroine.
Others, including Wen Wen, 23, and her 22-year-old friend Hui Hui, made the
trip from Birmingham, central England, where they are both studying, especially
to see Li in concert at City Hall with British all-girl group Liberty X.
"I think it's very nice because she's the most famous pop star in China,"
said Wen, who originally comes from the eastern Zhejiang
province.
