Fast becoming a key event in the Bristol business calendar, the Chinese New Year extravaganza to celebrate the Year of the Pig will be held at Doubletree by Hilton City Centre Hotel while developments on the Redcliffe Quarter continue.

Organised by the Bristol and West of England China Bureau, the gala banquet and networking event on February 27 offers a chance to make new friends among China enthusiasts across the City and region.

Bureau chief executive Dianne Francombe said the opportunity to set up new business partnerships and projects with China made it the must attend event of the year.

“Our special guest for this year’s event will be Mme Bao, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Department from the Chinese Embassy in London. We will also be joined by the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority Tim Bowles and the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees.

“The evening offers the opportunity to learn how the region is gearing up to benefit from the trade and export opportunities that exist with one of the largest economies in the world.”

The reception will be held from 6-6.45pm followed by an appearance from the Lion Dance Troupe to welcome the New Year and bring good luck and fortune.

Welcome speeches begin at 7pm followed by the Banquet at 7.30pm and carriages at 10.45pm.

The Bristol and West of England China Bureau works unstintingly to connect the people of Bristol and the South West of England with the people of China and in particular Bristol’s Sister City of Guangzhou in Southern China to encourage greater mutual understanding between our two countries.

For further information on reservations contact Dianne@chinabureau.co.uk.

• Bristol Museums attracted more than 4,000 people to their Chinese New Year celebration sponsored by University of Bristol last weekend.

Photos by © Adam Saunders and Image 2 © John Seaman, courtesy of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.