On May 6 (London Time), the fourth annual Chinese culture and tourism promotion program in the UK, "China Weeks: When Culture and Tourism Blend" was launched online. Under the theme of "Belt and Road, Cultures Link", the program was composed of multiple activities that demonstrated the spirit of the Silk Road, namely peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning as well as mutual benefit.

According to the organizers, the program for 2022 was divided into five sections: Collaborative China, Wider China, Festive China, Creative China, and Historical China. With offline activities as a complement, most activities took place online. Highlights of the program were as follows: Our Silk Road: A Photo Exhibition; Rediscover China in the UK (a series of webinars), Chinese Cook along Live, Visiting Guizhou Online, China Travel Course, Best Season to Travel 2022, 24 Solar Terms, Amazing China (a special exhibition of Chinese arts and crafts), Boonie Bears: Back to Earth (the latest instalment to the hugely successful Boonie Bears franchise), Our China Stories, and Preserve the World: Blossom (an art exhibition).

At the launch ceremony, a representative from the Chinese Embassy in the UK pointed out that "China Weeks", which has been held for four years running, had four characteristics. Firstly, it championed the spirit of the Silk Road, showcasing the achievements of China-UK and international cooperation and offering a platform for further collaboration. Secondly, it's committed to inclusiveness, delivering benefits of exchanges to more urban and rural areas in China and the UK. Thirdly, it valued partnership, seeking common goals and more partners as well as pursuing sustainable development for a shared future. Fourthly, it stayed true to its original mission, constantly strengthening friendship between the peoples in the two countries and building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that would enjoy lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

Some 40 people including Mick Davies, Chairman of the Royal Society of British Artists, Alastair Blackburn, a collector and curator, representatives from organizations which the organizers of the program cooperated with, Chinese members of culture and tourism associations in the UK, and Chinese media in London attended the online launch ceremony.

(Reporter：Xing Xue)