Everyone needs to take a stand in opposing the manipulation of this current tragic situation (COVID-19) for partisan political purposes. They need to remember that we are part of a common humanity, and that we will defeat challenges like this only by standing together, not driven apart. That is the most important gain that might come out of this—an acknowledgement of this fundamental human identity.
Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute
04 February 2021
Professor Kerry Brown wins 2020 China Cultural Exchange Person of the Year Award
The award recognizes the Lau China Institute’s Director for his outstanding achievement and effort in engagement with China.
The China Cultural Exchange Award was established to commend individuals and institutions making important contributions to cultural exchange between China and foreign countries.
Professor Brown has been applauded for his commitment to unity in the face of 2020’s urgent global challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change to social injustice. He said:
In 2020 Professor Brown actively offered his informed perspective on multiple issues concerning China’s relations with the rest of the world, doing so across various platforms.
He addressed biases towards Chinese students studying in the UK, discussed the ‘new Cold War’ narrative that came to dominate discussions on China’s relationship with the West, and has consistently encouraged pragmatic engagement with China and its government.
The award’s organizer celebrated honorary prize winners for having ‘worked tirelessly for Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges for a long time, actively organizing various forms of Chinese and foreign cultural exchange activities, and leading outstanding cultural Academic research’.
‘Light of Civilization: 2020 China Cultural Exchange’ was hosted by the Guosheng Think Tank, a think tank co-founded by China’s State Council Development Research Centre, the Commercial Press, the Belt and Road Culture and Economic Development Group and Renmin University of China.
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Director, Lau China Institute