On March 18, 2024, at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Sir David Lidington, the former Minister for the Cabinet Office and Honorary President of the Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC), led a delegation on a visit to CELAP during his trip to China. During the visit, Sir Lidington and his delegation were received by CELAP’s Vice President, Prof. Zheng Jinzhou, who held a meeting with them. Accompanying Sir David Lidington was Barbara Amono-oceng, the Deputy Consul-General of the British Consulate-General in Shanghai. Notable participants in the meeting included Zhao Hongtao, Deputy Director General of the Seventh Bureau of the International Department, and Liu Genfa, Director General of the Department of International Exchange and Program Development at CELAP.

Prof. Zheng Jinzhou warmly welcomed the delegation at the meeting, where he emphasized the significant role of CELAP within China’s leadership education system. He highlighted the academy’s commitment to delivering excellent education and training programs for leaders, enabling them to effectively serve the great cause of the Party and the nation, through in-depth studies and implementation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as adherence to the Regulations on leadership Education and Training and the National Plan for Leadership Education and Training (2023-2027). Zheng noted that CELAP stands out for its international endeavors. Since its inception, the academy has carried out fruitful collaborations with British institutions. He expressed his desire for both sides to further strengthen cooperation and promote mutual understanding and communication between the two countries, through leadership training programs, the development of international curricula, and other collaborative initiatives.

Sir Lidington held CELAP’s training achievements in high regard and recognized the academy’s significant role in facilitating communication and exchange between the United Kingdom and China. He expressed the UK’s strong emphasis on nurturing young leadership and expressed his desire for future UK leaders to deepen their understanding of China, as part of an effort to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the UK. To achieve this, the GBCC can assume the role of a bridge and bond by strengthening its cooperation with CELAP and facilitating communication and exchange between young leaders of the two countries.