Discover China

In just under a month the 16th Asian Games will commence in Guangzhou with what will undoubtedly be a spectacular opening ceremony. Final preparations are being put in place for this major event and the torch relay is underway. To find out more about the Guangzhou Asian Games host locations, venues, events, torch relay and preparations see the CNTV Special Feature Guangzhou Asian Games.

China’s moon exploration project, Chang’e, was named after a Chinese legend about a goddess who flew to the moon. Since its commencement in 2004, the program has attracted attention from around the world. The first spacecraft of the program, Chang’e 1, was an unmanned lunar orbiter launched in 2007. The second lunar orbiter, Chang’e 2, was launched on 1 October 2010 (Chinese National Day) and is currently carrying out it’s mission of research within the moon’s orbit to lay the foundation for future moon landings and exploration.  To find out more see the CNTV Special Feature – China Launches 2nd Moon Orbiter.

The Chinese people have celebrated the National Day of the People’s Republic of China with pride and passion today, with the world’s most populous nation becoming the second-largest economy after 61 years of development and about to launch its second lunar probe, Chang’e 2.

In Beijing more than 150,000 people gathered to watch a grand national flag raising ceremony, and Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders laid flower baskets at the Monument to the People’s Heroes to pay their respects to those who sacrificed for the nation’s independence. In Shanghai, the China National Pavilion Day was celebrated at the World Expo, and many other Chinese cities also organised flag raising functions to mark the National Day. Today is also the first day of the “Golden Week” of the National Day Holiday with millions of people on the move for travels or family reunions.

To find out more and see pictures of the celebrations visit the People’s Daily Online feature 61st Anniversary – The People’s Republic of China.

Each year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, China Central Television (CCTV) hosts a spectacular gala that is broadcast live across China. To watch the full video online visit CCTV 2010 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. This year’s gala was broadcast from the city of Wuhu in Anhui Province which we visited on our 2009 trip to Henan, Anhui and Zhejiang. The distinctive Anhui architecture is reflected in the stunning Mid-Autumn Festival Gala stage set.

This Wednesday marks the traditional Chinese mid-autumn day, which is the second largest festival after Spring Festival in China. The festival is also known as the Moon festival, as the moon is at its roundest at that time of the year. On the day, family members gather to appreciate the bright full moon, eat moon cakes, and think of their home and family members who live far away. To find out more see the Chinese National Television (CNTV) stories Chinese mid-autumn day is coming! and About Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.