Our world is people-powered and now is a time to celebrate it.

CMG Europe introduces The Bridge Builders, a group of inspirational individuals who have devoted their lives to bringing China and the UK closer together.

At an exclusive ceremony in the celebrated headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts on London's Piccadilly, CMG welcomed representatives from the fields of business, culture, literature, music, sports and social media for the finale of a series marking 50 years of full diplomatic relations between China and the UK.

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The event was attended by H.E. Minister Yang Xiaoguang, Charge d'Affaires at the Chinese embassy to the UK; Stephen Perry, Chair of the 48 Club Group; Frank Slevin, Chair of the UK National Committee on China (UKNCC); and Zoë Reed, Chair of the Society for Anglo Chinese Understanding (SACU), among many others.

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, Minister Yang said: "For China-UK relations to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward, we need more 'Bridge Builders' of the new era to brave difficulties and carry on the friendship."

The UKNCC's Frank Slevin reiterated the enduring need for outreach. "Cooperation in the future will only be possible through long-sighted nurturing of respectful exchanges and our political business and academic institutions need to come together," he told the audience of community, business and academic leaders.

Bridge Builders

Four seasons of Bridge Builders ran on CGTN Europe over the past year with television features, documentaries, podcasts, feature articles and social videos giving the audience extensive insight into the life and work of these fascinating individuals. Find their stories on the CGTN Europe's Bridge Builders page. 

The 20 individuals featured in the series have achieved some incredible personal feats – one has brought China's fascinating history to the world; one is an Olympian; another helped restore the oldest dated printed book in existence; one has helped China fight the AIDS pandemic; another played on Hollywood soundtracks and another has six generations of family links to China. 

Laying the foundations

Our Bridge Builders Stephen Perry, Chair of 48 Group Club; Zoë Reed, Chair of Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding and David Valentine, Former Head of Economic Development, Angus Council trace back the origins of the "icebreaking mission" in 1954, and celebrate how far China and the UK have travelled together since then.

The role of culture

How can culture bring countries and people closer together? We speak to  Michael Wood, Historian and Filmmaker;  Frances Wood, Former Head of China Collections at the British Library; James Trapp, Chinese Literature Translator and Dave J. Critchley, Executive Head Chef, Lu Ban restaurant, Liverpool. Our panelists have vast experience in history, literature, and even culinary art – and some speak fluent Mandarin! They will share their personal journeys in both cultures.

The next 50 years

After more than 50 years of bilateral ties, what potential is there for furthering cooperation? We hear from Simon Haworth, Biotech & Agritech Investor; Toto Guo, Vlogger, Model and Host; Tim Clissold, Businessman & Writer and Max Burns, GenZ Food Vlogger. Forward looking and future-focused we discuss how to create opportunities and overcome challenges.

In themselves, they all have incredible stories to tell. But together the picture is even more powerful, telling how over the past 50 years the people of China and the UK have been working to break the ice and make the world a brighter, better informed and more prosperous place.

To watch our video of the event CLICK HERE

The Bridge Builders are... (click the name to read their story)

Stephen Perry: businessman

Michael Wood: historian and documentary maker

Zoë Reed: NGO administrator

Shaun Gibson: singer-songwriter

The Guo Family: various creative industries

Martin Gordon: philanthropist

Alex Hua Tian: sportsman

Frances Wood: museum curator

Max Burns: food vlogger

Jerry Grey: blogger and fundraiser

Simon Haworth: entrepreneur

David Valentine: businessman

James Trapp: translator

David Ferguson: writer

Stuart Wiggin: Travel vlogger

Wei Yang: town planner

Tim Clissold: businessman and author

Haizhen Wang: fashion designer

Dave Critchley: chef

Blair Sugarman: photographer

The ceremony featured clips from the series as well as panel discussions on themes linked to the bilateral relations between the two nations and the role played by the people of each. It was hosted by CGTN Europe anchor Robyn Dwyer. Rewatch the event on CGTN's YouTube channel or Facebook page.

In Conversation with the Bridge Builders was broadcast on CGTN's English language television channels on January 29.