2008 has been the busiest year ever of cultural relations between the UK and China. To celebrate the achievements of 2008 and also discuss projects for 2009, Martin Davidson, the CEO of the British Council visited Beijing and gave a speech at the British Embassy, Cultural and Education Section (China), along with Joanna Burke, the regional director of British Council China, as well as Robin Rickard, the British Council Deputy Director China and Director Beijing.

In 2008, the number of Chinese students going to study in the UK increased by 28 percent than in 2007. There was also a 32 percent increase this year in IELTS candidates compared to 2007. Through the English online website (www.englishonline.org.cn), there were 1.5 million unique users per month and also 100,000 registered English learners.

In the areas of arts and environment and science, huge progresses have also been made.

At the end of the press conference, officials at the British embassy answered questions from the press, referring to the many projects worth looking forward to in terms of education, arts, society initiatives and many more in 2009.