Children learn Chinese by drawing Spring Festival posters

A new and colorful door opened to welcome the Year of the Dog on the Chinese lunar calendar, with happy dogs about to move into their symbolic house, while next door, which is drab and dull, is already closed after a farewell to 2017, the Year of the Rooster, with tracks announcing the recent departure of roosters.

Four red Chinese lanterns are hanging down from the new door, each bearing a Chinese character jointly to express "Happy New Year" greetings.

This picture, which illustrates a vivid transition between a new year and an old one in Chinese culture, was painted by an ethnic Chinese child, winner of the poster-drawing contest organized by the Real Chinese Academy, a Chinese-teaching weekend school in southeastern London.

After tough selection process, 13 winners came out of 113 participants, most of whom are aged from 4 to 7 years old.

The award ceremony was held on Sunday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which fell on Feb 16 this year.

Many of the participants are from non-Chinese families living in Bromley, a London district that is about one hour's drive from the central part of the British capital.

"Children love drawing and painting," says Xu Zhi, head teacher of the Real Chinese Academy.

"Painting is a universal language. It is a very effective vehicle to promote Chinese culture in the outside world."