
Education enables dialogue with Chinese Ambassador
Engage with China is excited to host a senior level networking dinner with Chinese Ambassador, Zheng Zeguang, on 24 May 2023 in Central London. The theme of the evening is building education and dialogue as a means of widening opportunities, trust and engagement between China and the UK. The emphasis of the evening will be…
Dialogue with the Ambassador
Stimulating economic growth through business; educating young people about different cultures and perspectives; escalating geo-political tensions; tackling climate change – all of these are likely topics at our upcoming fundraising event, 24 May, Central London. Tickets on sale NOW! This is a rare opportunity to meet the Chinese Ambassador and we welcome you to join…
I was accused of being “a toad who longs to eat swan’s meat”
Zhang Lijia’s personal story is nothing but inspiring. From a poor family in Nanjing in eastern China, she was destined to work her whole life in an inter-continental missile rocket factory. Unhappy with this prospect, however, she dreamed of the outside world. She realised in her early teens that her ticket out was to learn English. Ridiculed by her colleagues and with little access to foreigners or English language learning tools, she found a radio station and with diligence and determination, used this as the means to transform her life’s narrative. Now a journalist, writer and social commentator, Lijia has featured on the BBC’s Book of the Week, CNN and other international media stations. Her novel, ‘Lotus,’ has been translated into several languages and her memoir, ‘Socialism is Great!’ gives an excellent account of what China was like in the ‘iron rice bowl’ times before its economic transformation of recent times.
Lijia exhorts us to dream big and suggests that by learning about China, we will not only benefit from thinking more globally, but we might even find our lives can be changed for the better. Discover more of her story here.
Sir Vince Cable becomes new patron of Engage with China

EwC is delighted to confirm the appointment of the Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Minister of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, as a patron. Sir Vince’s views chime with our charity’s belief that it is crucial to generate curiosity about and dialogue with China rather than retreat or ignore. China is rich with ideas and subject matter that will benefit young minds and develop character skills relevant to our times.
“Now that China has become an economic and technological superpower some are reacting with fear or hostility. It is better to engage. Large numbers of students, visitors and businesses already do – in both directions. That was the approach I adopted as a government minister in my dealings with China and I want it to continue.”
The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable, author of ‘China Engage: Avoiding the new Cold War’ (2019)
Sir Vince joins Sir Anthony Seldon, educator and former Vice-Chancellor of Buckingham University and Head of Wellington College, as patron.
Chinese schools are back to normal -despite Covid.
These happy students tell us how good that feels and how they are keeping safe
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