"During recent years, many positive outcomes have been achieved in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, sports, youth and media since the establishment of the China-UK High-Level People-to-People Dialogue," says Xiang Xiaowei, cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in the UK.

"It has provided a steady and inexhaustible impetus for the development of bilateral relations," Xiang says.

As of Sept 16, Liu has attended a meeting of China-UK young leaders, China-UK health policy and cultural dialogues, and the inauguration of teaching facilities for the London Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

She was welcomed by a concert of the London Symphony Orchestra co-sponsored by the Chinese embassy at Barbican Hall. The event commemorates the 70th anniversary of V-J Day and celebrates the first China-UK Year of Cultural Exchange. The performance was conducted by Chan Elim and included Yan Shouping on the jinghu fiddle, pianist Zhang Haochen, and a contemporary Chinese opera piece starring Zhang Jianfeng and Zhu Hong.

Liu attended the China-UK Young Leaders Roundtable, which aims to build understanding and personal relations between rising political leaders from legislatures, civil society, think tanks and business from both countries.

On Sept 18, Liu is set to attend a symposium on soccer development in China and the UK and a friendly soccer match between Chinese and UK middle school students.

She also was to visit Wales to attend the China-UK symposium on science and technology innovation, and deliver a speech at the China-UK innovation and entrepreneurship forum at Cardiff University.

On Sept 20, Liu will give a speech at the first China-UK film and TV conference, which will showcase the best of Chinese film and TV. It will also provide opportunities for interchange between Chinese and British directors, film and TV companies, and other industry professionals.

Contract the writers at [email protected] and [email protected]

Gao Shuang contributed to this story.