London mayor woos China with Festival London Mayor Ken Livingstone launched a campaign
of celebrations to coincide with Lunar New Year, his latest effort to build
stronger economic and cultural links with China.
China in London 2007, which runs throughout February and March, opened with a
blaze of red Chinese lanterns being switched on above Oxford Circus, in the
heart of the capital's busy shopping area.
London's Mayor Ken Livingstone (C) is joined
by Chelsea's Frank Lampard (L) and Shanghai's Wang Dalei from the world of
football to turn on the huge Chinese lanterns at Oxford Circus to mark the
launch of "China in London," a month long celebration of Chinese culture in the
capital. [AFP]
Guests of honour included the Chinese Olympic football team, whose friendly
match with Queen's Park Rangers last week descended into a mass brawl which left
one player with a broken jaw.
England footballer Frank Lampard, whose club side Chelsea recently launched
an official website in Mandarin, also appeared.
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