2023 Sino-British Basic Education Co-operation New Year Seminar - 2024 Launching of "Encountering the Beauty of China" International Exchange Activity was successfully held!
The "Sino-British Basic Education Co-operation New Year Seminar," jointly organized by The Association of Education and Technology and the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, was successfully held at the China World Summit Wing, Beijing, on 29 December , 2023. Over 80 primary and secondary school principals and education experts from more than ten provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China—including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Jiangxi, Shenzhen, and Hainan—gathered in Beijing. They engaged in online discussions with British delegates to explore new opportunities and challenges for Sino-British basic education co-operation and exchanges under evolving circumstances.
The supporting organization of this event, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, was represented by Charlie Williams, who delivered the welcome speech. Mr. Wang Yongli, former Minister-Counsellor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in the UK and former Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, expressed his blessings and expectations. Mr. Sun Wei, Chairman of the Cambridge Chinese Community Association, sent his best wishes and outlook from Cambridge, while Mr. Cas Widdershoven, Vice Chairman of The Association of Education and Technology, shared his expectations via an online connection.
Mr. Li Qisheng, Vice Chairman of the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, stated that opening up education to the world has become a vital engine for Beijing's economic and social development, an objective requirement of the capital's talent development strategy, and an inevitable choice for achieving high-quality education. This event aims to explore ways to strengthen and promote exchanges and cooperation in basic education between China and the UK.
The "Sino- British Basic Education Cooperation Committee," co-founded by The Association of Education and Technology and the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, was officially inaugurated at the ceremony.
The Association of Education and Technology and the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association have jointly nominated Mr. Li Qisheng, Vice Chairman of the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, as Director of the Sino-British Basic Education Cooperation Committee. The committee has appointed Mr.Wang Yongli, former Education Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK and former Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, as Advisor, and Ms. Wu Yinxia, Executive Chair of the Association of Education and Technology, as Secretary-General. Additionally, Mr. Wang Guangfa, Principal of Beijing Royal School; Ms. Shi Hua, Founder and Chairwoman of Beanstalk International Bilingual School; Mr. Ye Cuiwei, Principal of Xianghu Future School; and Mr. Cai Ying, Head of the "Double Reduction" Task Force at The China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People, have been named Deputy Directors. The committee further appointed Ms. Pan Li, International Affairs Liaison Director of The Association of Education and Technology; Ms. Guan Hao, Director of Curriculum and Training at The Association of Education and Technology; and Ms. Li Qin, Project Director of the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, as Deputy Secretaries-General.
During the ceremony, 63 attending primary and secondary school principals were appointed as Expert Committee Members and presented with official certificates. The composition of the Sino-British Basic Education Cooperation Committee also includes representatives from UK partner schools engaged in Sino-British exchanges, alongside distinguished leaders and experts from the education sectors of both nations.
Ms. Guan Hao, Director of Curriculum and Training at The Association of Education and Technology, announced the official launch of the "Discover China, Share Beauty" initiative on behalf of the committee. This program is strongly supported by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in Cambridge, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association - Manchester, the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre, the Northeast British Chamber of Commerce, and the UK Northeast China Association. Collaborative parties aim to empower young "diplomats" to showcase their schools, hometowns, and China’s rich cultural heritage through exchange activities, thereby fostering bilateral exchanges, establishing sister school partnerships, and advancing collaborative research and teaching practices.
Subsequently, three insightful roundtable forums unfolded, bringing vibrant perspectives to the conference as the year transitioned to a new chapter. The discussion on "Effective integration of education for international understanding and excellent traditional culture", chaired by Dr. Wang Xiangbo, National Executive Principal of Beijing Royal School, featured distinguished contributions from Mr. Yang Xiaoke, Founder and President of Tianjin Fayao Education Group; Mr. Xu Jiasheng, Executive Principal of Beijing No.4 High School International Campus; Mr. Li Keming, Principal of Beijing Ritan High School; Mr. Gui Chengwei, Principal of Beijing Fengtai Heyi School; and Ms. Cheng Lan, Vice Principal of Beijing School. These experts shared their unique insights, fostering a dynamic dialogue on bridging global educational frameworks with China’s cultural heritage.
During the session on "Innovative Demonstration and Prospect of Cultural Exchange in Basic Education between China and the UK", moderated by Ms. Shi Hua, Founder and Chairwoman of Beanstalk International Bilingual School, participants including Mr. Chen Gang, Principal of Hainan Yingya St. Peter’s School; Ms. Wang Yi, Principal of Primary School Affiliated To Chaoyang Education Research Center ; Ms. Zhao Yulian, Principal of Beanstalk International Bilingual School; Ms. Wang Tong, Principal of Beijing No.80 High School Ruishi Branch; and Ms. Li Yanli, Academic Vice Principal of Beijing Huijia Private School, actively participated in the discussions.
In the final roundtable forum titled "New Explorations in Cross-Cultural Communication in the Digital Age", moderated by Mr. Cui Guoxing, Vice Principal of The High School Affiliated to Beijing International Studies University, participants including Mr. Hu Guangyu, Principal of the International High School Division of Shenzhen Arcadia Grammar School; Mr. Liu Zhiyong, Vice Principal of the East Campus of Zhengzhou No.47 High School; Ms. Chen Dongmei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ulanhot No.4 Middle School in Xing’an League, Inner Mongolia; and Ms. Meng Na, Director of the International Department of High School Affiliated to BIT, shared their insights and visions on cross-cultural communication in the digital era.
In the concluding remarks, Ms. Wu Yinxia, Executive Chair of The Association of Education and Technology, emphasized that the "Discover China, Share Beauty" overseas exchange initiative stems from profound love for the motherland and confidence in Chinese culture. The program aims to deepen collaboration between Chinese and British schools, enhance mutual understanding and trust among youth from both nations, contribute youthful energy to building a global community with a shared future, and fulfill the noble mission of nurturing internationally-minded talent. Additionally, The Association of Education and Technology will task First Landing Education with relaunching the "Oxbridge Students China Tour" in 2024, during which 10 selected students from Oxford and Cambridge will visit Chinese schools, deliver lectures, experience China’s rapid development firsthand, and engage with teachers and students. Upon returning to the UK, these students will share China’s globally acclaimed achievements with peers and families, further enriching the "Discover China, Share Beauty" initiative.
Held against a backdrop of evolving global dynamics, this event underscores the confidence and commitment of both China and the UK to advance deep cooperation in basic education. Experts and school leaders from both nations unanimously asserted that Sino-British basic education collaboration can evolve into a sustainable partnership only through joint efforts, propelling innovation and systemic advancement in the field. They reaffirmed their resolve to embrace new goals of the era with renewed vigor, tackling the challenges of 2024 with determination and unity.
Looking ahead, The Association of Education and Technology and the Beijing Sci-Tech Education Promotional Association, in collaboration with representatives and experts from participating schools, will work closely to achieve further breakthroughs and accomplishments on this global stage. Together, they aim to inject renewed vitality and momentum into Sino-British basic education cooperation, driving innovation and fostering sustainable partnerships for the benefit of both nations.