Getting to know China with “Happy Chinese New Year” application

BEIJING, China – On 29 December 2011, the fun and free “Happy Chinese New Year” interactive entertainment application for the iPad was released online at the Apple Store. Users can download this application free of charge.

With multimedia texts, images, video, animation, sound files, and other media, the application introduces “Happy Chinese New Year” activities of the Ministry of Culture, P. R. China, and offers information about Chinese performing arts troupes entertaining across the world during the first half of 2012, as well as introductions to Chinese traditions and customs for celebrating the Spring Festival. Each interface can toggle instantly between Chinese and English languages. The App also provides a Chinese New Year electronic greeting card, and can be shared in order to help others get to know China’s wonderful traditional culture. The App is offered to the peoples of the world, making searchable all programs of 2012 “Happy Chinese New Year” around the world as well as the schedules of Chinese performing arts programs worldwide during the first half of 2012.

This App has five components: “Happy Chinese New Year”, “Chinese Shows in the World”, “Greeting”, “Cultures” and “Link”. With multimedia texts, images, video, animation, sound files, and other media, the application introduces the overseas “Happy Chinese New Year” festivities of the Ministry of Culture, P. R. China, and offers information about Chinese performing arts troupes entertaining across the world during the first half of 2012, as well as introductions to Chinese traditions and customs for celebrating the Spring Festival, such as how to make dumplings and holiday paper-cuts, and how to wish people a happy new year. Each interface can toggle instantly between Chinese and English languages. By sharing the App, you can also help others get to know China’s wonderful traditional culture, understand the aspiration of the Chinese people to strive for harmonious living, and appreciate China’s development and progress.

“Happy Chinese New Year” is an important trademark cultural activity initiated by the Chinese government abroad. In 2010 and 2011, “Happy Chinese New Year” successfully launched over 100 cultural programs on five continents. To introduce Chinese New Year traditions to the peoples of the world who are interested in Chinese culture, programs included temple fairs, parades, song and dance entertainment, handicraft demonstrations, special exhibitions, film screenings, cultural lectures, and more, offering the world a great feast of China’s culture and being warmly received by the audiences.

With the online release of the “Happy Chinese New Year” App at the Apple Store, all programs of 2012 “Happy Chinese New Year” around the world as well as the schedules of Chinese performing arts programs worldwide during the first half of 2012 will be available, making it easier for the peoples of the world to participate.

China has successfully held two years of “Happy Chinese New Year” festivities in over 60 countries and regions. If you would like to know more, please check out the “Happy Chinese New Year” App.