At a special ceremony held at King’s College London on Saturday 20th September, three of our Upper Sixth pupils, Bo G, Jack H, and Gabriel P, were celebrated for their outstanding achievements in the prestigious SACU-Peking University Essay Competition. Bo was awarded 1st Prize, while Jack and Gabriel both received joint 3rd Prize. Certificates were presented by Dr Frances Wood, renowned author, sinologist, and former Head of Chinese Collections at the British Library.
The Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU) was founded in 1965 to promote understanding between the peoples of China and the UK. To mark its 60th anniversary in 2025, this year’s competition encouraged entrants to explore SACU’s history through its digital archive, as well as to reflect on the relationship between the two capital cities, London and Beijing, and their potential for collaboration.
Bo’s winning essay explored the future of opera in Beijing and London, arguing that while both traditions face challenges of shrinking audiences and modern relevance, they remain vital vessels of cultural memory and national identity. She proposed solutions including shorter, more accessible performances, avant-garde reinterpretations, and cross-cultural collaborations to ensure opera’s survival and renewed global resonance.
This international competition continues to attract pupils from across the UK and China and is highly regarded for encouraging thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the two countries. We are delighted that Bo, Jack, and Gabriel’s essays were recognised at such a high level.
Qingwei Li
Head of Mandarin Chinese
