For the first time, China is expected to enter a float in the 2008 Rose Parade, a new year celebration event in Pasadena of Los Angeles, it was announced on Saturday.

The float, co-sponsored by Pasadena-based label maker Avery Dennison Corp. and the Roundtable of Southern California Chinese American Organizations, will commemorate the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing next summer.

Diane Dixon, Avery Dennison's vice president for communications and advertising, said the idea of having a Chinese float took form a couple of years ago, but making it happen was slow going.

Dixon said the float would be comparable to major entries from past parades.

"It will be a very impressive float," she said.

The next Rose Parade, themed "Passport to the World's Celebrations," will take place on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats, and high-stepping equestrian units for which it is renowned.

Since it was launched 118 years ago, the parade has become an international event seen in more than 150 international territories.

Millions of spectators from around the world celebrated the 2007 New Year with the 118th Rose Parade themed "Our Good Nature."

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2007)