A grand celebration of the Chinese New Year is planned in Prague and will include former Czech Minister of Defense Jaroslav Tvrdik and diplomats from Beijing. The organizers are promising tens of thousands of visitors. Tvrdik has an important say in Chinese investments and helped bring direct air links between Prague and Beijing and Shanghai, making the country more accessible for Chinese tourists. Major companies with stakes in China are partners for this year's celebration. Amnesty International plans to have a petition stand there, warning about China's disrespect for human rights.