From September 18, 2025 to September 21, 2025, at the invitation of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, Lu Xiangdong, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation on an official visit to the United Kingdom.
During the visit, Vice President Lu Xiangdong attended the 60th Anniversary Conference of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding and the 110th Anniversary of the Birth of George Hogg. He read a congratulatory letter from the CPAFFC and delivered remarks. The congratulatory letter reviewed the history of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, from its founding to its development and growth, as well as the exchanges and cooperation between the two organizations. It commended the Society's spirit of equal dialogue and openness, and expressed gratitude for its significant contributions to promoting people-to-people friendship between China and the UK. The letter reiterated a commitment to continuing cooperation and injecting new vitality into the cause of China-UK friendship. In his remarks, Vice President Lu noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Hosting the event at this important historical juncture, with a global perspective and sense of responsibility, provides an opportunity to reflect on history, learn from it, and continue strengthening the friendship between the two peoples. The CPAFFC is willing to collaborate with the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding to foster closer people-to-people exchanges, deepen subnational cooperation, and innovate new channels for China-UK people-to-people exchanges. This collaboration aims to build a deeper consensus on cooperation, promote dialogue, and tell a more multifaceted, authentic, and vivid story of China-UK friendship, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of China-UK relations.
Wang Qi, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the UK; Michael Wood, President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding; and Zoe Reed, Honorary Chairperson of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, attended the event and delivered remarks. Over 150 representatives from subnational governments, friendship organizations, universities, think tanks, and various sectors from both China and the UK gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding. They reflected on George Hogg's contributions and discussed the historical friendship between China and the UK during World War II. Renowned international scholars such as Martin Jacques and Michael Crook shared their reflections on the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The event also featured an awards ceremony for the UK/China Friendship and Understanding Competition, along with other activities. The theme was prominent, its content rich, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The guests expressed that the history of China-UK solidarity during World War II is invaluable, and that the cause of China-UK people-to-people friendship holds great potential.
During the visit, Vice President Lu Xiangdong, accompanied by Frances Wood, Vice President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, visited the China Centre at the University of Oxford and other institutions. He also held a collective meeting with the Mayor of Harpenden, George Hogg's hometown, and over ten experts and scholars from UK universities. The two sides engaged in extensive discussions on China-UK relations, people-to-people friendship, youth exchanges, and other topics.
