Kinyu Joins British Council’s Effort to Strengthen UK-China Youth Ties

Kinyu SCM participated in the British Council’s Mandarin Excellence Programme, which recently took place across several major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin.

Benjamin King, CEO of Kinyu SCM, was a guest speaker at the Guangzhou event, contributing to this initiative aimed at strengthening U.K.-China ties through youth engagement.

The Mandarin Excellence Program brought more than 1,000 British students to China this summer, immersing them in Chinese culture and offering insights into the country’s dynamics. Hosted by prominent universities including Beijing Foreign Studies University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Jinan University and Sichuan Normal University, the programme provided a diverse learning experience.

King, along with other British professionals who have spent most of their careers in China, shared personal experiences and professional insights during the Guangzhou session. King discussed everyday life in China and the challenges of living in a different culture, both professionally and personally.

“In a post-COVID environment, we have become used to the rhetoric of isolation, and I was genuinely so happy to meet a group of inquisitive middle school students, keen to learn more about China,” King said. “We are excited to support the British Council and the Mandarin Excellence Programme.”

Students posed a range of questions to the panel, reflecting their curiosity about life in China. They asked about maintaining global connections, starting businesses, daily use of Mandarin and experiences with local attention. One student even asked, “Do you always get people wanting to take photos with you?”

The Mandarin Excellence Programme boosts students’ language skills and exposes them to China’s business world. Through interactions with the British business community in China, students received practical advice and learned about potential career paths in both countries.

Special thanks go to The British Council, IOE Faculty of Education and Society at UCL, Department for Education, Center for language Education and Cooperation, Jinan University College of Chinese Language and Culture.

Kinyu SCM remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote cultural exchange and international collaboration. The company looks forward to continuing its involvement in programmes that bridge gaps and create lasting connections between the U.K. and China.

About Kinyu SCM

Kinyu SCM is a supply chain consultancy offering people-focused solutions in China. Its flagship service, The China Desk, provides supply chain HR solutions for foreign companies hiring professional talent in China.

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