On Wednesday 9^th November 2022, Lancaster University Confucius Institute hosted its first China Business Briefing attended by 70 business people and students. Keynote speaker, Sir Richard Heygate OBE spoke about his personal experience of working with China.

This was followed by two roundtable discussions between business speakers with a wealth of experience.

Professor Gao Ning (Panel Chair) Chair Professor of Finance at Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester chaired the first panel of speakers, Michael Zhu CEO of Lanbridge Communication, Lynn Lin Partner, Head of Asia, Gerald Edelman and Kevin Zhuocun Lin President, TusPark Holdings on UK-China Business Opportunities & Challenges: New model for growth.

Dr Yuting Bai chaired a panel on New forms of consumption: The new landscape with speakers Jason Li Director of DC Advisory, Sally Maier-Yip Managing Director and Founder of 11k Consulting and Paul Dupont Business Development Director of Intralink.

The China Business Briefing was followed by the 2022 Confucius Institute Annual Lecture on Working in China by Dr Xin Hao, an AVP researcher at Bank of China London Research Centre and founder of Redwood Academy. Dr Hao presented his research on employment demand for qualified graduates in second-and third-tier cities in China and the volunteer career advice model which he uses in his company, Redwood Academy, for advising PhD graduates on career destinations.

In the audience of both events were Lancaster University Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engagement, Sarah Kemp; Lancaster University Confucius Institute Deputy Director, Amily Guenier; local entrepreneurs and Lancaster University staff and students who have an interest in working in or with China. A journalist from China Daily also attended the China Business Briefing, you can find their article on the event here: Executives: Consumption upgrade opening up commercial opportunities (chinadaily.com.cn).

Following these events, Lancaster University Confucius Institute and Lancaster University Management School are co-organising a Careers Fair for students interested in Working in and with China. The Careers Fair will take place on Wednesday 7^th December 2022 at Lancaster University. If you are a business and would like to join our Careers Fair, please contact Lancaster University Confucius Institute: Careers Fair: Working in and with China, Wednesday 7 December, 11:00am | Lancaster University.