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Nearly 200 friends, members, supporters and Labour parliamentarians braved the cold snowy weather on Wednesday, 28^th February evening to join us to celebrate the Year of the Earth Dog at our annual banquet at the Phoenix Palace.

Jeremy Corbyn MP together with Ian Lavery MP (Chair of the Party), Dawn Butler MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities), Helen Goodman MP (Shadow Minister for China), Lord Roy Kennedy (Shadow Communities Spokesperson in the Lords), Judith Cummings MP (Shadow Minister for International Trade), Dame Rosie Winterton (Deputy Speaker in the Commons), Andrew Gwynne MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Communities), Peter Dowd MP (Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury).

HE the Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming together with Minister Ma Hui, Minister Counsellor Jin Xu and other senior officials were also in attendance. Deputy Director General Cherie Yeung from the HKETO was also present.

The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP wishes all British Chinese and Chinese from across the United Kingdom A Happy Chinese New Year of the Earth Dog.

"The Chinese make an invaluable and often over-looked contribution to the United Kingdom. Thank you for all your contribution, and on behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to wish you all a prosperous, successful and a Happy New Year."

Watch the video message here

Chair of Chinese for Labour, Sonny Leong has publically criticised the language of Scottish Labour MP Hugh Gaffney.

Hugh Gaffney MP, who represents Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill used a derogatory word when describing a Chinese meal, while speaking at a Scottish Labour student event in Edinburgh. MP has since apologised and agreed to go to equality and diversity training.

The Chair of Chinese for Labour Sonny Leong said, “There is no excuse for the use of this word.  It is deeply offensive.  It is our understanding that Hugh has rightly issued an unreserved apology and that is accepted.  However, we would always welcome further opportunities to work with politicians, including Hugh, to bring greater awareness and understanding about how best to tackle racism against the Chinese and East Asian communities living and working in the UK.

“The racism that ethnic Chinese people face in their daily lives is something we must all stand up to.  The Chinese community in Britain are hardworking and have contributed a lot. However the unfavourable representation in UK mainstream media and politics shows just how much more work we need to get rid of this stereotype of being an invisible community and that it is somehow ok to poke fun of.”

In a statement, Mr Gaffney stated, “Last week I attended a Labour Students Burns Supper in Edinburgh. At that event I used certain language relating to the Chinese and LGBVT communities that was wrong and completely inappropriate.”

“I want to offer my unreserved apologies for what I said; my remarks were deeply offensive and unacceptable.

“I will do everything possible to make amends with both the Chinese community and the LGBT community.”

Come and join us to celebrate the Year of the Dog at our Gala Chinese New Year Banquet 2018 on Wednesday, 28th February 2018.

The event will be held at the Phoenix Palace Restaurant, 3-5 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG, and will begin with a champagne reception with canapés at 6.30 pm, followed by dinner at 7.15 pm.

As in previous years, we will be joined by Senior Shadow Cabinet Members, Ministers and Peers, together with leading members of the Chinese business and community leaders. This glamorous event draws together the British East Asian Actors, creative communities and supporters from the Labour movement.

Click HERE to book your place, or book it HERE via Eventbrite

We look forward to seeing you there.

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