On 22 April 2026, an International Chinese Language Day event was held at Highgate School, a renowned independent school. It marked the first time such an event was held at a UK school. The event was attended by 130 teachers and students from the school. Minister Zhao Fei of the Chinese Embassy in the UK addressed the event.

Minister Zhao noted that Chinese is the only writing system in the world that has been used continuously to this day without interruption, connecting the past with the present. It is a shining gem in the treasure trove of human civilisation. He expressed hope that the Chinese language would become part of the students’ journey of growth, help shape their aspirations, and light up their dreams. He also called on young people from China and the UK to continue deepening mutual understanding and to promote the healthy and steady development of China-UK relations.

Under the theme “Chinese: Sparking Colourful Dreams”, the event featured a range of creative experiences. Students and teachers took part in human-robot dance interaction and engaged in six workshops, including an exhibition of traditional Chinese patterns and colours and creative Chinese character painting. Through these immersive activities, participants gained a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the Chinese language and the vitality of China’s development.