From calligraphy to company strategy: Doing Business in Changing China Summer School comes to a close

The third Doing Business in Changing China Summer School at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has wrapped up, bringing together 124 students from 22 countries for two weeks of learning, exploration and exchange (as well as plenty of fun along the way!).

Students combined academic sessions with company visits, city tours and hands-on group projects, building a practical understanding of how business works in China today. Though, learning was not confined to the classroom as students stepped into real business environments through company visits to Siemens and Etron, where they saw first-hand how global forms operate in China’s manufacturing ecosystem.

The two weeks’ also placed a strong emphasis on cultural understanding, with Chinese language classes calligraphy sessions and cultural workshops offering a tangible way to feel their way into China. Whilst city visits to Suzhou and Shanghai allowed students to experience the intersection between tradition (classical gardens and ancient canals) and modernity (the ‘glass and steel’ of Liujiazui financial district).

Knitting the two weeks together, students worked in international trams on group business projects developing their ideas in stages before presenting their final proposals at the end of the programme. The programme concluded with a graduation ceremony where students were presented with their certificates, followed by a lucky prize draw that brought a lively and celebratory end to the afternoon. Certificates were awarded by Dr Emily Williams, Dr Sol Jee Lee, Dr Nimesh Salike, and faculty member Huaiyuan Zhang.

Speakers from across the University shared reflections and advice with the cohort. Professor Ewout van der Schaft, Associate Dean for Internationalisation and Global Partnerships at IBSS, spoke about the importance of standing out, sharing an amusing anecdote about the girl in the bright yellow dress, not just for how she looked, but for the confidence and individuality she represented. He likened this to what IBSS students do so well, noting that those who choose IBSS and XJTLU are brave and bold in stepping beyond their comfort zones.

Ahead of the final presentations, Dr Emily Williams, Head of the Department of China Studies, encouraged students to look more closely at the Chinese market, asking them to think critically about what consumers in China really want and how global perspectives can be grounded in local realities. Kirsty Mattinson, Director of X-Global, also offered her congratulations and a few final words as students prepare to leave Suzhou.

The ceremony was hosted by Yidan Liu, who guided proceedings with warmth and energy, bringing together moments of reflection and celebration. She closed the ceremony with a simple but memorable message to the cohort: 后会有期 which translates to “we’ll meet again”, a fitting end to a programme built on shared experiences, new connections and the promise of future reunions.