In July, GBCC launched its flagship China capabilities programme, with an inaugural cohort of 23 leaders engaged on a multi-year China-focused knowledge pathway.
After months in development, the Future Leaders Programme (FLP) is the only course of its kind to combine high-level participants from politics, government and business in addressing the capability outcomes of the Government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. Participants include MPs and staffers from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP, senior civil servants from the FCDO, BEIS, the MOD, the Home Office, DIT, DCMS and the Treasury and representatives from HSBC, Arup, Prudential plc and abrdn.
The two-day online programme launch was developed in partnership with the Oxford China Centre and featured opening addresses from the Rt Hon. Lord Mandelson (GBCC Honorary President), Professor Todd Hall (Director of the Oxford China Centre) and Nigel Adams MP (Minister of State for Asia), who emphasised that, “strategic initiatives focused on improving China capabilities and understanding, such as this programme, play a vital role to ensure the UK’s political, government and business leaders are equipped to respond to the rise of China”.
Former Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd AO, then delivered a keynote speech on managing a constructive relationship with China where he emphasised the need to remain clear and consistent in political messaging whilst refraining from megaphone diplomacy.
Throughout the two days, participants heard from a range of distinguished experts in UK-China relations, including Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG (British Ambassador to China), John Edwards (Trade Commissioner to China), Professor Katherine Morton (Tsinghua University) and Professor Rana Mitter (Oxford University). The course enabled leaders to engage directly on the foundations of UK-China history and politics as well as on thematic issues such as environmental cooperation, human rights and trade & investment.
The second phase of the Programme will take place in November in the form of a residential conference at the Oxford University China Centre, comprising knowledge deep-dives, policy formulation activities and networking opportunities for the cohort. The Programme’s international components, including placements and fellowships, are still dependent on the resumption of global travel.
GBCC is grateful for the generous sponsorship from HSBC, Arup, Prudential plc and abrdn, as well as the institutional support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Cabinet Office.