On the evening of 10th February 2025, the “UK-China Charity Initiative: Building Harmony Together” Chinese New Year Charity Concert, a key event in the “UK-China China Initiative” series, was successfully held at the historic Mansion House in the City of London. The event was co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal (LMA).

Photos from the Concert

The concert brought together over 200 distinguished guests from political and business circles in both the UK and China. Through the universal language of music, the event celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Snake, strengthened charitable partnerships between the two nations, and fostered a promising future for UK-China relations. Notable attendees included Minister WANG Qi from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Charles Bowman, Chairman of the Yehudi Menuhin School, David Buckley, Chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre and Host of the Concert John McLean OBE, renowned Chinese violinist LV Siqing, and esteemed British violinist Tasmin Little CBE.

Minister WANG Qi delivering a speech

Minister WANG Qi of the Chinese Embassy in the UK extended warm New Year greetings, reflecting on the past year’s geopolitical and economic challenges while highlighting China’s resilience and its role in global growth. He spoke of the deep-rooted cooperation between China and the UK, noting recent positive developments and the potential for further collaboration in areas like technology, trade, new energy, and education. Recognising the City of London’s significance in strengthening economic ties, he reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to working closely with business communities to advance fintech and green finance initiatives. Minister Wang also emphasised the cultural significance of Chinese New Year as a bridge between the two nations, with events like the concert fostering deeper connections. Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the continued growth of China-UK relations.

Sir Charles Bowman addressing the audience

Former Lord Mayor Sir Charles Bowman welcomed guests to Mansion House for the Chinese New Year concert, celebrating the Year of the Snake in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. He noted the positive momentum in UK-China relations, with the recent resumption of the Economic and Financial Dialogue and the upcoming visit of the current Lord Mayor to China. Emphasising the power of cultural exchange and charity in bringing people together, he described the concert as a way to support education, social welfare, and sustainability while deepening mutual understanding. He encouraged continued collaboration to build a more inclusive and prosperous future

LV Siqing addressing the audience

LV Siqing, President of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, celebrated the growing ties between its UK and Qingdao campuses in a heartfelt speech. As an alumnus of the UK school, he spoke with pride about leading its first overseas branch and extended warm New Year’s greetings. Since its founding in 2022, the Qingdao campus has fostered globally-minded musicians and a strong partnership with its UK counterpart through student and faculty exchanges. Marking the school’s first visit to the UK, he praised the students’ dedication and called the concert a milestone in UK-China cultural exchanges. He closed with gratitude to all supporters and hope for continued collaboration.

Tasmin Little CBE, Co-President of the Yehudi Menuhin School UK, celebrated the concert as a historic moment, uniting the UK and Qingdao campuses for the first time. She highlighted music’s power to transcend borders and saw the event as a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin’s legacy of creativity and global connection. Reflecting on her own journey as a former student, she credited the school’s exceptional education for shaping her career and expressed pride in the young musicians performing. She believed Menuhin would be proud of both their talent and the collaboration between the schools. Closing with gratitude, she thanked all who made this milestone event possible.

Performances by students of Yehudi Menuhin School

The evening featured captivating performances by talented students from both the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK and Qingdao. The repertoire included classical masterpieces such as “Petite Concerto” and “Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 114”, as well as Chinese-themed classical compositions such as “Snowflake”, “Chinese Impressions”, and “Song of Nostalgia”. The performances provided a mesmerising fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions, delivering an enchanting and culturally enriching experience for the audience. Following the completion of all scheduled performances at the charity concert, internationally acclaimed violinist Lü Siqing returned to the stage, much to the surprise and delight of an already enthusiastic audience. In a breathtaking display of artistry, LV Siqing delivered an impassioned performance of Paganini’s Sonata No. 5 in A major. His ability to convey both the passion and technical brilliance of Paganini’s work truly elevated the evening and left an indelible mark on the audience. The overwhelming response from the audience underscored the event’s success in uniting classical music excellence with a spirit of generosity and community support.

LV Siqing performs “Paganini—- Sonata no 5 in A Major, Opus”

Following the concert, a charity auction was held, drawing enthusiastic participation from CCCUK members and the audience. This event underscored the commitment of CCCUK and Chinese enterprises in the UK to fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities and supporting local communities. More than just a charitable endeavor, it symbolized the enduring friendship and collaborative spirit between the peoples of the UK and China. Serving as a cultural bridge, the concert not only showcased the beauty of musical integration between East and West but also fostered mutual cultural appreciation and exchange.

The concert was generously sponsored and supported by Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, CNOOC Petroleum Europe, the China National Tourist Board, and Labait Accounting.

A group photo of guests with students from the Yehudi Menuhin School (UK) and Qingdao

The China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) has been actively engaged in community and social initiatives. On 3rd December 2018, it partnered with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal to launch the “UK-China Charity Initiative”, aimed at encouraging more Chinese enterprises in the UK to engage in charitable activities, build philanthropic bridges, and unite efforts to support charitable causes. Since its inception, CCCUK has successfully completed four major charity projects: the construction of a multifunctional hall at Zaoyuan Town Nine-Year School in Changwu County, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province; the establishment of a medical and health facility in Dalou Village, Jinping County, Yunnan Province; the restoration of the Butterfly Pavilion at the RHS Wisley Garden in London; and a donation to the UK Carers Trust.

Funds raised from this event will be directed towards supporting charitable initiatives under The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, including MQ Mental Health Research, the UK’s leading mental health research charity. Additionally, donations will support Homewards, a charity launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2023 that aims to demonstrate that together, it’s possible to end homelessness. Furthermore, a portion of the funds will contribute to a UK-China cultural exchange programme, specifically a study tour to China for Year 6 students from Kensington Wade Bilingual School, offering young students an opportunity to gain deeper insights into Chinese culture.

Looking ahead, the CCCUK remains committed to supporting UK-China charitable endeavours and economic cooperation, fostering deeper people-to-people exchanges, and composing new chapters in cultural integration between the two nations.