On 24th and 25th October 2014, Civilisation· Growth· Innovation——Sino-British Relations Forum took place in Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). The event coincided with the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of British Studies Centre, BFSU. The forum was jointly sponsored by BFSU British Studies Centre, British and Commonwealth Studies Centre of Nanjing University and British Studies Branch of Chinese Association of European Studies (CAES). Present at the forum were about 20 experts and scholars from such institutions as Foreign Policy Research Department of British Embassy in Beijing, Northampton University, Nanjing University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Policy Research Office of the Ministry of Commerce, and College of International Relations from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

At the opening ceremony, Ma Zhenggang, Chairman of British Studies Branch of Chinese Association of European Studies and former Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ms. Margaret Tongue, representative from British Embassy in Beijing, Chen Xiaolu, Director of British and Commonwealth Studies Centre of Nanjing University and Wang Zhanpeng, Director of BFSU British Studies Centre delivered speeches.

Mr. Ma made a keynote speech entitled “A Need for New Thinking in the Sino-British Relations in the Changing World”. Fifteen papers were presented at the forum focusing on the history and current situations of China-UK relations. Some compared and contrasted the economic, social and governing modes of the two countries and some explored the opportunities and challenges that face China-UK relations. Professors from BFSU British Studies Centre, Shi Tongyun, Wang Zhanpeng, Shen Yi and Song Yunfeng also presented their papers.

On the morning of 25th, Professor Yu Wenjie, from the Department of History, Nanjing University, and Zhen Jianguo, Vice Chairman of China Association for International Friends and former Chinese ambassador to Denmark and Greece, delivered their speeches “The Cultural Origins of the Rise of Modern British Civilisation” and “Michael Lindsay–A British Nobleman Who Participated in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in China” respectively. Professor Shi Tongyun presided over the section. More than 50 current and former postgraduates from BFSU British Studies Centre attended the event, in which graduated students also shared their experience in study, employment-seeking and work with the current students.