He has captivated millions of people over generations worldwide since he first stepped from the pages of a comic book 77 years ago. His name is Tintin, the slight but intrepid Belgian journalist who fights for truth and justice, along with his dog, Snowy.

Tintin and his 24 adventures, which began in 1930, are so widely beloved that his "father," Belgian writer-cartoonist Georges Remi (1907-83), known by his pen name Herge, is pretty much overshadowed by his creation.

But late 2006 was filled with Tintin and Remi commemorative events, including a still-running revival of "Herge's Adventures of Tintin" by the Young Vic in a West End theater. An exhibition at the Pompidou Center in Paris is under way - "Herge" is the first time a cartoonist has been so honored.

Next year will also be filled with events to mark Remi's centennial anniversary and that of Tchang Tchong-jen, the Chinese friend who inspired Tintin's two great adventures in China.

Beijing's National Art Museum of China and Tchang Tchong-jen Memorial Hall in Shanghai will host two exhibitions of Tchang's works, organized by Tchang's daughter, who now lives in Belgium.

Tintin traveled the world, fighting the bad guys, gangsters, pirates, even traveling to the moon - often battered, always learning, finally prevailing, with his faithful dog.

Tintin, known for his signature tuft of hair standing up atop his head, is especially beloved by the Chinese because he took a strong, pro-China stand and vigorously supported the Chinese people in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

"The Blue Lotus" - the fifth book - is set in Shanghai, telling how Tintin tracks opium traffickers all the way to China and helps the Chinese people fight against the Japanese. Blue Lotus is the name of an opium den.

"Tintin in Tibet" - the 20th book, published in 1960 - is the tale of the journalist's daring rescue of his good friend, Mr Zhang, from a plane crash, even braving the "Abominable Snowman."

Remi never visited China, however, and Zhang's character is based on his close friend Tchang, an overseas Chinese student in Belgium who sparked the writer's fascination with China.

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