Looking forward to hearing more about the future of UK-China relations post- #Coronavirus pandemic #SACUUK https://twitter.com/SACUUK/status/1297923121408880640

Chair @JennyClegg1 opens by discussing the evolution of UK-China relations, from the 1980s, through to @David_Cameron’s “Golden Age” in the 2010s, to the outbreak of the #Coronavirus pandemic #SACUUK

Prof @Bkerrychina says #Coronavirus has made China “more central” in people’s thoughts, which has made the work of Sinologists in UK “much more vital” #SACUUK

Brown says policy response to #Coronavirus “now largely at an end”, with policymakers now looking at the economy. Predicts tensions re: ’s economic performance vs recovery in / & . China’s economic performance “will have an impact on us all” #SACUUK

Brown acknowledges that it is “problematic” that, as the 2nd largest economy, #China has a role to play socially & economically. The fact it has a Communistic govt is an uncomfortable issue for many Western policymakers #SACUUK

In conclusion, Brown says that the world will not get “a desirable resolution” to the recovery from #Coronavirus without an improved understanding of China and its people #SACUUK

Next, Prof Graham Perry speaks on the impact of cooling relations between & . However, believes that there will be “little material consequence” to the worsening of relations between East & West #SACUUK

Perry cites @TonyBlairQuotes by advising policymakers to “understand China from China’s perspective” - with its history of centralised dynastic powers, it’s loss in the Opium Wars & rise of the CCP as being very different to ’s evolving democratisation #SACUUK

Looking at the elections, Perry notes that @realDonaldTrump & @JoeBiden have very different positions on #China & that a Trump regime would not welcome the rise of China post- #Coronavirus pandemic #SACUUK

Perry says that the misunderstanding of China was when China joined WTO: It enjoyed prosperity, but does not see the need to Westernise its political body in the same way it adopted Western-style capitalism. #SACUUK

However, Perry is optimistic about the future of UK-China relations. There can be mutual benefits for increased UK-China co-operation, but only if the West does not keep insisting on China adopting Western sensibilities #SACUUK

Historian Michael Wood says that, beyond #coronavirus, the West needs good relations with . Says economic recovery & #ClimateEmergency response both “need China on board” to be successful #SACUUK

Wood notes that, in China, there is a “thirst to know” about the life of people in other nations. Says part of his role as a Western documentary filmmaker is trying to “redress the balance” by helping improve Brits’ understanding of the Chinese through his documentaries #SACUUK

Next, Dr @Rcjwang introduces herself via video, sending apologies for the prerecorded presentation, as she is currently flying from London to Beijing. Notes that she will be quarantining when she arrives in , but would not need to do so if she were flying to #SACUUK

Wang notes that Chinese public health measures is much stricter than in UK. Argues that politically & culturally, UK would have been unable to impose such strict strategies - electorate would be unwilling to adhere to them & politicians lacked political will #SACUUK

However, Wang believes that policies around capacity-building, particularly around the construction of temporary hospitals , is something where the UK could learn best practise from China #SACUUK

Looking at technology, Wang notes the Chinese are a more tech-savvy populous, with e-Health being commonplace amongst Chinese citizens, whereas the NHS is still the world’s largest buyer of fax machines! Believes uptake in e-health will continue in post- #Coronavirus #SACUUK

Wang also believes that UK-China collaboration on vaccine development is also “essential” to getting a global vaccine - “we still do not know what we don’t yet know” #SACUUK

In conclusion, Wang believes the “world leading reputation” of the NHS public health services & China’s cutting edge research have a vital collaborative role in improving global public health post- #coronavirus #SACUUK

In Q&A’s, Wood advocates for Chinese language, as well as modules on Chinese history and culture, should be taught in schools #SACUUK

In Q&A, Perry also says Westerners need to remember “China is here to stay”. It is important that, like any other civilization, our relationship will only improve the more we learn & understand about them #SACUUK

Interesting discussion on challenges & opportunities for future - cooperation & how we get there. Thanks to Graham Perry, @Bkerrychina, Michael Wood & @rcjwang for your presentations, @JennyClegg1 for chairing & @SACUUK for hosting! #SACUUK