'Light Up Your Dreams' aerospace art project for children to continue

McDonald's China has announced a renewed three-year partnership on Thursday with China's Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) on the "Light Up Your Dreams" project to encourage more children to explore their aerospace dreams.

It is expected that in the next three years, over a million Chinese children will participate in the related program activities.

Zhang Yichen, chairman of McDonald's China, said the company is committed to helping kids to grow up healthier, happier, and dreaming bigger.

"We are happy to join hands with CLEP once again to provide a broader stage for kids with unique exploration experience, and light up the dream for every kid," said Zhang.

The partnership between McDonald's and CLEP started in 2020 with a "Light Up Your Dreams" program at restaurants collecting children's drawings of dreams and rocket designs.

Over 500,000 kids have participated in the past two years. It is estimated that by the end of this year, over 45,000 art works will be sent to the moon and beyond.

In the next three years, McDonald's will continue to develop activities including efforts to bring the latest aerospace knowledge and development trends to children. In addition to being invited to the launch site, CLEP will also provide the exclusive customized 1:15 large simulation rocket for children to launch.

McDonald's and CLEP will release merchandise that is fun with technology touch, such as space helmets.

China is the second largest and fastest-growing market of McDonald's. In 2017, McDonald's China has been accelerating its growth as a franchise business with the support from CITIC and Carlyle. As of September 2021, there are over 4,300 McDonald's restaurants in the market.