rom March 20th to April 3rd  2003, Ameson China conducted a whirwind tour of Europe to hold 'Ameson Chinese Culture Day' events at 5 leading Irish and British universities, namely the University of Glasgow, University of Lancaster, University of Dublin, Cork University and the University of Limerick. 14 top Chinese artists from prestigious music institutes in Shanghai and Shenyang were invited by the Ameson foundation to engage in public talks, exhibitions and Chinese folk art performances.

This series of events was unprecedented – it was the very first time such a high-level Chinese cultural promotion event was hosted overseas (and fully sponsored) by a non-governmental organization from China.

That said, the event did indeed receive generous support from the Chinese Ministry of Education, China Education Association for International Exchange, The Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese Embassy in the UK and Ireland. Some individuals taking part in the events included Mr. Sha Hailin, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland; Mr. Liu Jingxue, Consul General to Edinburgh and Special Envoy of Mr. Zha Peixin (the Chinese Ambassador to Britain).

At the event, Chinese artists gave various kinds of performances, while a number of officials gave speeches that emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in order to improve a world of mutual understanding. At the event, Chinese artists gave various kinds of performances, while a number of officials gave speeches that emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in order to improve a world of mutual understanding. The group and guest speakers were also warmly greeted by mayors of the visited cities and chancellors of the universities.

"It was like blazing the trail for people-to-people cultural diplomacy," commented Professor Sean Zhang, Deputy Chairman of the Ameson Foundation. Professor Zhang led the group of artists and guest speakers throughout the journey.

Ameson events