Art treasures including works from Shakespeare to David Hockney are to travel to China as part of a drive to showcase British culture.
Chancellor George Osborne, who is in China for talks aimed at boosting cultural ties, has pledged 7m GBP in funding for the programme.
A further 750,000 GBP will help take the British Museum's 'History of the World in 100 Objects' exhibition to China.
The exhibition, featuring art through the ages, is currently on a world tour.
Leaders of some of the UK's biggest cultural institutions, including representatives from the British Library, the Southbank Centre and Shakespeare's Globe, have joined the chancellor in China.
The 7m GBP funding will go towards projects including:
1.6m GBP for the British Library to display literary treasures in China, including works by Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
740,000 GBP for Shakespeare's Globe to tour The Merchant of Venice, including an education programme.
500,000 GBP for a Royal Opera House training programme for Chinese students.
500,000 GBP over three years for a new Love China Festival at London's South Bank.
Art treasures including works from Shakespeare to David Hockney are to travel to China as part of a drive to showcase British culture.
