The Chinese twins who posted a video message on the social media channel, Weibo, asking to visit Buckingham Palace will touch down in the UK today (August 7)
The UK’s national tourist agency Visit Britain and the British Embassy Beijing have worked with Chinese Youku Kids Channel to organise the one-week-long trip for the twin’s family.
Christina Scott, the Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Beijing said:
Staff from the British Embassy Beijing saw the twins off at the Beijing International Airport, and wished them a good trip with gift bags sponsored by British food companies Narin’s, Burts and Annabel Karmel.
Dai Wei, VP of Alibaba Group, Senior VP of Youku, Sports & Kids said:
In December 2018 Mi Ni and Mi Ai shared their new year’s wishes on Weibo after watching an episode of Peppa Pig where their favourite cartoon character meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The video went viral after Dame Barbara Woodward, the British ambassador to China, replied to them and invited the twins to the Ambassador’s Residence to have afternoon tea, where she told them she wanted to help make their dream come true.
Manuel Alvarez, VisitBritain Director said:
2018 was a record year for visits from China to the UK, up 16% on 2017, and over 3.5 times the visits in 2008. Spend reached £657 million in 2018, over 4.5 times the 2008 spending levels.
The Chinese rate Britain highly. Amongst 50 contending nations, the UK is ranked as the No.2 for its nation brand overall, for tourism, culture and for people, and No. 3 country the Chinese would likely to visit if money were no object.