Seven questions with Ryan Li

This week meet Ryan Li, a second-year undergraduate student studying for a History, Politics and Economics BA.

Ryan is the founder of the London: Sino British Summit, an event which aims at fostering down-to-earth and non-academic discussions for everyone who has an interest in China and will feature a range of speakers including Katherine Carruthers, UCL Pro-Vice Provost (East Asia) and Huabin Wang, Deputy General Manager, Bank of China, London.

1. What are you studying and when do you graduate?

I am a second-year History, Politics and Economics student and I am set to graduate in 2018.

2. Why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I have always had an interest in discovering how society works, how each society progresses; and to me, history, politics and economics are the three subject that very much bind a society together.

I aim to work for one of the largest NGOs after University, but I do hope one day I can step into China's foreign ministry. I deem the founding of the London: Sino British Summit is a step towards that goal.

3. What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

I would say the founding of the London: Sino British Summit.

Since 1978, China and its people have been on a journey of rapid economic development. Today, thousands of Chinese students travel abroad to study, creating connections and learning skills and knowledge to help them later serve their country.

Many come to the UK, which has seen a developing interest in building up relations with one of the world's fastest growing economies and has benefited as one of the biggest recipients of Chinese foreign direct investment in recent years.

As a Chinese student who came to the UK at the age of 12, I have experienced the rapid growth in the partnership, which China and UK have developed.

Interestingly, there are about six Chinese-focused annual forums and conferences being held in London, all of which are very much academic-based, with key speakers from top universities or research institutes.

Hence why, as the founder of the London: Sino British Summit, I would like to host a more down-to-earth and non-academic discussion for everyone who has an interest in China.

4. Tell us more about what the event will entail (discussion topics, speakers):

The summit, which is being held on 4 February 2017, will feature a series of panel discussions ranging from 'World economic outlook for 2017' and 'Eastern education meets the West' to 'China in the international society' and 'Chinese brands going global'.

Hearing the experiences of successful entrepreneurs, respected politicians, experienced executives and many other outstanding people with an intimate knowledge of China's unprecedented rise, the London: Sino-British summit serves as a platform to discuss China's development as it increasingly turns to the world, and asks what opportunities may lie ahead by strengthening ties with countries such as the UK.

Speakers will include Katherine Carruthers (Pro-Vice Provost, UCL), Richard Cooper (Former US Under Secretary of State and Former Chairman at US Federal Reserve Bank, Boston); Peter Lacy (Global Managing Director Accenture Strategy), Rupert Hammond-Chambers (President, US-Taiwan Business Council), Gordon Luo (Chief Executive and Executive Director, Huawei Technologies UK) and Huabin Wang (Deputy General Manager, Bank of China, London).

5.Where is your favourite place on campus?

The Classics reading room in the Main Library, overlooking the Quad.

6. Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

• Parks: Richmond, Regents and Hyde Park. London is not all city.
• Shop: Fortnum and Mason - its the true definition of shopping in London
• Culture: British Museum- its on UCL's doorstep. It has so much going on under one roof.

7. What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm absolutely awful at singing - never take me out to karaoke!

Useful link

• London: Sino British Summit