2025 is the 60th Anniversary of SACU and so the aim of this year’s competition for senior school students is to encourage young people to explore the history of SACU through its digital archive database and other resources to produce a written essay or a piece of art. The competition is now open and welcomes entries from all senior school children and there are great prizes for the winners! Full details in the flyer here THEMES 1. How do you see the contribution of SACU and its significance to us today? SACU was founded by Dr. Joseph Needham in 1965 […]

Online Lecture Series Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the Han dynasty, 'Confucianism' was adopted as the underlying ideology for imperial rule and family order. Throughout China’s history, Confucianism has been challenged, reinterpreted, and appropriated. From the 20th century, after a period of disfavour, politicians and educationalists in China are once again turning to Confucianism for guidance. In order to understand what Confucianism is, SACU is pleased that experts Dr Katherine Ngo and Dr Kelly Ngo, from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, will be running a series of seminars […]

Welcome to our online event celebrating A wise and noble friend of China! George Hogg’s nephew and biographer tells about his uncle who became a legendary hero in China as an inspirational educator and co-operative leader during the war-torn 1930s and 40s. Hogg’s legacy is being celebrated in China this year, being the 110th anniversary of his birth and the 80th anniversary of his tragic, all too early, death. Speaker: Mark Aylwin Thomas, nephew of George Aylwin Hogg (1915-1945) and author of Hogg’s definitive biography, Blades of Grass. The biography has now been translated into Mandarin and published in Beijing […]

Classical music in China has gone through a fascinating process of evolution which followed the shape of the society and its continuous changes. Despite its fascinating history, full of lessons for many the world over, large elements of this music are unknown to many in the Western world. In this session, Dr Ben Lunn will discuss the circumstances that influenced five particularly significant composers - Xian Xinghai, Jian'er Zhu, Tan Dun, Wenchen Qin, Sel Nkbayar - drawing out how they adapted to the changing world around them. SACU is delighted to host this talk by member Dr Ben Lunn, composer […]

How to Eat: A Confucian Guide to Dining Together - Lecture for SACU Are table manners important? Confucius once said: “Exemplary persons do not take leave of their authoritative conduct even for the space of a meal.” Even during a meal, one’s consideration for the comfort of fellow diners provide pertinent opportunity to cultivate consummate conduct (ren 仁). Beyond avoiding a faux pas, eating together compels us to bring out the better part of ourselves with every mouthful. The Analects of Confucius, trans. Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont Jr. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1998), 90. This lecture is one […]

Anglo-Chinese Relations in an Upended World: Free online talk for SACU by Andrew K P Leung, SBS, FRSA Introduction: The liberal, value-and rules-based world order led by the United States since the end of the Second World War has now been upended by President Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) rules-of-the-jungle iconoclasm, rattling relations with the entire world, traditional allies not exempted. Many nations including EU Member States are recalibrating relationships with other regions and nations with growth potential, especially China, as the world's second largest economy, ideological and other risks regardless. As home to Adam Smith and the world's […]

How to Entertain: A Confucian Guide to Being the Host or Guest - Lecture for SACU The essence of propriety is to “be humble and respect others,” according to the Chinese classic on ritual. This dual sentiment is manifestly lived out in the interaction between host and guest, which can range from a casual visit to a friend to meeting parents-in-law for the first time. Through various situations, we examine how Confucian thought esteems adaptability to the context in these complementary roles. This lecture is one of a series: A Practical Guide for Every Day - The Art of Living […]

Join us for our Celebration Day on 20th September when we will commemorate both SACU’s 60th Anniversary and George Hogg’s 110th Anniversary. Speakers include: Professor Michael Wood, SACU President Professor Kerry Brown, LAU China Institute KCL Mark Thomas, author of George Hogg’s biography Professor Sun Hua, Peking University and co-sponsor of the SACU/PKU Essay-Art Competition. We are honoured to also have high level delegations coming from the Chinese Embassy and from China for this event, including the President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Vice-Governor of the Gansu Provincial Government. The Shandan Bailie […]