Participants take a group photo in the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, England, on Jan 9, 2026. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
The financial committee of the China Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom, or CCCUK, organized a group visit to the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, England, on Friday, promoting cooperation between China and the UK in the fields of education and culture.
Founded by Yehudi Menuhin, one of the leading violinists of the 20th century, the school has cultivated an array of world-renowned musicians over the past seven decades, including the influential Chinese violinist Lyu Siqing, and opened its first overseas sister school in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, in 2022.
David Buckley, chair of the Board of Governors of the Yehudi Menuhin School, delivers a welcome speech. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
Robin Haskins, headmaster of the Yehudi Menuhin School, gives a detailed introduction to the school. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
Zhang Zhixin, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, gives a speech during the visit. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
Minister Zhang Zhixin of the Chinese Embassy in the UK attended the event and delivered remarks, praising the school for nurturing young musical talents from around the world and promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the UK.
Zhang said the establishment of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao has broadened the educational collaboration between Chinese and British youth through music. He expressed hope that both sides would continue to use music and education as bridges to deepen the China–UK people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
"Music goes beyond languages, and speaks directly to the human heart … and cultural exchanges can bring people together, encourage mutual learning, and build respect for diversity," Zhang said. "At a time when the world is facing profound challenges and uncertainties, such exchanges are more valuable than ever."
Representatives from more than 20 members of the CCCUK Financial Committee, as well as representatives from the UK Office for Investment, and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Representative Office in the UK, joined the visit.
Hu Fang, vice-chairman of the CCCUK and general manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China London Branch, gives a speech during the visit. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
Hu Fang, vice-chairman of the CCCUK and general manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China London Branch, said the chamber and its member companies have made a big commitment and contribution to promoting bilateral trade and investment between China and the UK.
"In this new year, we plan to extend our efforts beyond business and commerce to the area of music, education, and cultural exchanges," she said. "We are very privileged to have the Yehudi Menuhin School as our starting point for the new mission."
Headmaster Robin Haskins (left) gives the delegation a tour around the campus of the Yehudi Menuhin School. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
David Buckley, chair of the Board of Governors of the Yehudi Menuhin School, warmly welcomed the group, while the school's headmaster Robin Haskins gave a detailed introduction to the school's history, educational philosophy, and its program in Qingdao, expressing hopes to expand deeper cooperation with Chinese partners in areas such as educational collaboration, student exchanges, and artistic innovation.
John McLean, chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, gives a brief on the preparations for the Chinese New Year Concert. [Xing Yi / China Daily]
John McLean, chairman of the China-UK Business Development Centre, gave a brief on the preparations for the Chinese New Year Concert in the City of London, which will be jointly performed by students from the Yehudi Menuhin School and its sister school in Qingdao.
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