help with date

[eluser]phpProgrammerToBe[/eluser]
hello.. i need to display date in one of my views...

i tried

Code:

$this->load->helper('date');

$now = time();

echo unix_to_human($now,'UP8')

but it gives me the wrong time.. i need to echo the time in GMT +8 timezone or "UP8" (UTC + 8:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Singapore, Taipei

thanks