On 15 October 2025, Minister Zhao Fei of the Chinese Embassy in the UK attended and delivered remarks at the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) China Visit Event 2025. The event brought together over 80 participants, including Neil Lawson, lead for the MEP at the UK Department for Education, Maddalaine Ansell, Director of Education at the British Council, and representatives of the UCL Institute of Education and of teachers and students from 11 MEP schools. 

This year, nearly 1,200 students and teachers from 62 UK schools took part in immersive summer camps held in 11 Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. Student representatives from Fortismere School and other participating schools shared their experiences and reflections from their visits to China. 

Minister Zhao highlighted the far-reaching significance of taking educational tours to China. He described the students in the programme as not only seekers of knowledge but also important bridges connecting China and the UK. He encouraged them to deepen mutual understanding with their Chinese peers, act as ambassadors for the China-UK friendship, become a driving force for practical cooperation between the two countries, and contribute their wisdom and strength to building a better world.