Swire Chinese Language Foundation conference 2026
On Friday 27 March 2026, MGS hosted the annual Swire Chinese Language Student Conference for the fifth year in succession. The conference is aimed at secondary school students who are studying Chinese in the Swire Chinese Language Programme (SCLP). The intention is to broaden the outlook of these pupils about China, to educate and to inspire.
The SCLP is currently teaching around 21,000 schoolchildren – with just over a quarter from more disadvantaged backgrounds – in 134 schools grouped around 11 centres across the country. MGS lead the Manchester Centre and are currently working in partnership with five local schools. This is a privately funded initiative that aims to lay foundations for a stronger UK engagement with China in the next generation.
After welcoming remarks from High Master Dr Martin Boulton, and Executive Director of the Swire Chinese Language Foundation, Mr Edward Watson, there were four thought-provoking talks around the overarching theme of ‘UK-China relations’.
The four speakers were Ralph Rogers (Regional Head, China, The British Council), Cindy Yu (Contributing editor and columnist at The Times), Rhys Whalley (Chair of The Manchester China Forum) and Rob Neal (Departmental Lecturer in Mandarin education, The University of Oxford).
Designed for secondary school students participating in the Swire Chinese Language Programme (SCLP), the conference aims to broaden perspectives on China while educating and inspiring the next generation of learners. The SCLP currently supports around 21,000 pupils across 134 schools nationwide, with just over a quarter coming from more disadvantaged backgrounds. As lead school for the Manchester Centre, MGS is proud to work in partnership with five local schools as part of this initiative, which seeks to strengthen future UK engagement with China.
This year’s conference welcomed 200 delegates from across the country, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and London. The programme featured a range of keynote talks alongside a pupil debate on the motion, “This House believes that the UK’s current China strategy is not fit for purpose,” held under Chatham House rules. Pupils also enjoyed the opportunity to sample traditional bubble tea, adding a cultural dimension to an engaging and thought-provoking day. The 200 delegates had come from all over the UK, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
