Cultural centers: Bringing real China to global audience

A Chinese man dresses up as the Monkey King - a mythological figure in the Chinese fantasy novel Journey to the West - at a Chinese New Year parade in New York, Feb 6, 2016. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

The 'Happy Chinese New Year' program

"Happy Chinese New Year" is a project under the Chinese Culture Ministry to promote the culture of the 400-year-old Spring Festival, or lunar New Year.

Since 2001, the program has helped bring hundreds of cultural events - exhibitions, expos and performances - to countries around the world.

These activities not only help pass down festival traditions to younger generations of Chinese immigrants living abroad, but also help people understand and resonate with the festival's spirit: no matter if it's family cohesion, or more broadly, world peace.