London is getting ready to celebrate the Year of the Rat as part of preparations for the 2008 China in London season.
The season, now in its third successful year, aims to engage businesses and creative organisations in China.
According to a spokesman, this year will see more organisations, galleries and museums taking part than ever before.
"2008 will provide a unique context in which to celebrate Chinese arts, heritage and culture," he said.
The two-month season launches on Wednesday 6 February with the Chinese lantern lighting ceremony at Oxford Circus. Highlights include visiting dance troupes, Beijing Dance Drama and Opera House and Beijing Modern Dance Company performing in Trafalgar Square and the Royal Opera House.
Visiting Chinese artists will be joined by some of London's great cultural institutions, V&A, British Museum, Royal Academy of Music, Kew Gardens and the London Zoo to celebrate China's rich and varied cultural life.
Across the capital, Londoners will get the chance to experience Chinese culture with fortune cookies filled with facts about modern China set to be given out to Tube commuters.
Chinese New Year will once again be celebrated in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 10 February with musicians, dragon dances and parades.
The season culminates on Sunday 6 April with London playing host to the Olympic Flame as part of the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay, which will take place on the final day of the First Emperor exhibition at the British Museum.
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