China
11 September 2013
CHINA
1. The UK’s relations with China offer immense opportunities for both countries.
2. We build long-term relationships and trust, which underpins economic and political ties.
3. Our work in China generates opportunities for exchange between the peoples of both countries which, in turn, brings direct benefit to UK prosperity and growth.
The UK’s relations with China offer immense opportunities for both countries
• China’s rise is a defining feature of our times. China has an increasingly central role in international affairs and its impact on the UK is great and will continue to grow.
• Partnerships, co-operation and the sharing of innovation and research present significant benefits for UK and Chinese universities, academics and creative professionals.
We build long-term relationships and trust, which underpin economic and political ties
• Trust underpins trade. It allows for the efficient operation of markets, reduces transaction costs and enables innovation through the free exchange of ideas.
• The British Council builds trust for the UK in China. We work in programmes through the English language, arts, education and society to support the UK and China’s economic and cultural ambitions.
• We work to promote Mandarin and improve the understanding of modern China in the UK. This makes a major contribution to young people’s ability to work in and connect with China and will ensure the next generation of UK business, education and creative leaders have the language, skills and experience to work effectively in China.
• Our research shows that young Chinese people are far more likely to consider business in the UK, study in the UK and plan to visit the UK after being exposed to English language, UK education and culture.
• We present the UK as an attractive destination for China’s investment, artistic and research partnerships and academic study.
• Throughout China, we forge partnerships between higher education institutions, government and business that support the UK’s ambitions in international education, create research links and underpin record levels of Chinese students attending UK universities.
• Our arts programme in China showcases the quality, breadth and innovation of the UK’s creative industries and opens new markets and opportunities for the UK cultural sector in China. UK Now in 2012 was the largest ever UK arts programme in China.
FACTS
China has the world’s second largest economy and a population of 1.3 billion people. China is forecast to shortly overtake the United States to become the largest economy in the world. By 2030, China is forecast to be home to two-thirds of the world’s middle class.
There are 300 million learners of English in China seeking quality English teaching, online learning and qualifications.
In 2011–12, we worked with nearly one million people face-to-face across China. This was in schools, universities, through UK-backed exams and cultural work. We welcomed half a million visitors to exhibitions and arts festivals and reached tens of millions through digital English language resources, publications and social media.
Our English teacher training programme has directly benefited more than one million students in the last two years. Last year, our online English learning materials were accessed by an estimated 12 million unique users.
In 2011, we administered more than 500,000 UK tests and qualifications in China. For many applicants this is the first step to studying in the UK.
90,000 Chinese students now study in the UK, contributing £2.25 billion annually to the UK economy. Another 15,000 Chinese students study on UK programmes in China.
Since 2009, we have promoted UK best practice to some 580 social enterprises in China.
UK Now
• The British Council-managed UK Now festival was the largest celebration of UK arts and culture ever held in China.
• The festival showcased the UK as a powerhouse of creative thinking in dance, design, film, literature, music, fashion, theatre and the visual arts.
• Events took place in 29 cities across China, including Hong Kong and Macao, and featured almost 800 UK artists performing across 166 venues.
• There was at least one event somewhere in China every single day from 1 April to 13 December 2012, a total of 257 days.
• More than four million people attended events and millions more participated through the website and social media channels.
• Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘It is forty years since we resumed diplomatic relations with China, and UK Now is just one example of how far this relationship has come. Celebrating and showcasing the best of UK art and culture is a fantastic way to strengthen further our growing ties.’
