Chinatown - the Magazine came into being in 2003.  Since its inception the main aim of the magazine is to raise the profile of the Chinese community in Britain, to dispel stereotypes, and to address issues which affect the third largest and yet relatively invisible ethnic group in the UK.  

With this in mind, Chinatown - the Magazine, in association with The Pearl Foundation, organised The Pearl Awards in order to provide a long-overdue platform upon which to recognise and commend achievements of the Chinese Community.

The inaugural 2004 Pearl Awards, led by the late Lord Chan, patron and first Chinese peer, was a huge success and received tremendous support from both the Chinese as well as mainstream communities, and generated enthusiastic media interests, both in the UK and abroad.  Pearl Awards 2005 carried on the momentum, with increased categories of awards, reflecting the breadth of achievements within the community, and the confidence shown by sponsors of the awards.

The 2006 Pearl Awards will carry on the ethos of the past two years and will be held in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery.  All those concerned with the awards can foresee a great event – an occasion set aside to celebrate Chinese achievements as well as to cement friendships among people from all different cultures and background.

Chinatown - The Magazine - Winner of the 2003 Windrush Award for Positive Media and shortlisted for the Commission for Racial Equality's 2003 Consumer Magazine of the Year award.