Dr Catherine Hua Xiang wins Specialist Business Book of the Year 2025
Dr Catherine Hua Xiang, Programme Director at the London School of Economics has been awarded the Specialist Business Book of the Year 2025 prize at the Business Book Awards for her book Bridging the Gap: An Introduction to Intercultural Communication with China (LID Publishing).
The award was announced at the Business Book Awards Gala on 10 September 2025 at The Drum Wembley in London, which brought together authors, publishers and thought leaders to celebrate excellence in business writing and publishing.
Drawing on more than a decade of teaching, research and professional practice at LSE and beyond, Bridging the Gap equips business leaders, educators and policy professionals with practical strategies to navigate cultural differences, avoid miscommunication and build trust in global business settings.
Dr Xiang, Programme Director of BSc International Relations and Chinese and UK Director of the Confucius Institute for Business London, said: “This award recognises not just a book, but the importance of meaningful intercultural dialogue in our interconnected world. It is a reminder that global challenges cannot be approached through a single lens, and that fostering cultural intelligence is essential for business and diplomacy alike.”
The award judges commented: “Cross-cultural communication is one of today’s biggest business challenges, and Bridging the Gap tackles it with depth and clarity. Dr Catherine blends Eastern and Western perspectives, breaking down stereotypes and offering practical tools to global managers – scholarly yet accessible. It’s a book that bridges more than cultures; it bridges theory and practice, making it a truly outstanding contribution.”
Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council and Senior Advisor at HSBC, endorsed the book and commented: “Bridging the Gap could not come at a more pressing moment for us all as China becomes ever more prevalent in our lives. I am constantly struck by how few people truly understand China, and Catherine Hua Xiang’s book makes an essential contribution to bridging that gap for business, diplomacy, and education.”
Professor Emma McCoy, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) said: “I am thrilled that Bridging the Gap has been recognised with this award. Catherine Hua Xiang has unprecedented experience in building understanding and respect across cultural divides in both interpersonal and business settings. The book is a brilliant exposition of intercultural differences and how to cross those divides. Crucially, it paves the way to building meaningful connections between people with completely different world views, something we need now more than ever.”
Bridging the Gap is the first in Dr Xiang’s multi-volume Navigating China series, which aims to bridge East and West through accessible research, case studies, and practical insights. The next volume, Harmony in Differences: Understanding Chinese Perspectives on Politeness, is due for publication in early 2026.
Find out more about Bridging the Gap: Bridging the Gap