On 20 March 2014, the British Council held a panel discussion in London on the UK-China relationship in 2014. The panel was chaired by Sir Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council and the panel included CIBL staff members Mr. Nick Byrne, UK director, Prof. Lisheng Luo, China director and Dr. Hong Lu, Coordinator, with four additional distinguished speakers also invited. The panel reviewed the 80 year history of cultural relations between the UK and China focusing especially on different aspects of education, culture, art and media over the last 30 years. The panel then went on to discuss ways that these areas may develop in the future with Mr. Nick Byrne speaking in favour of the growth in cultural exchanges and Mandarin teaching in the UK. The panel was attended by about 60 people from the London area.