About the Lau China Institute
Professor Xinzhong Yao, Director, Lau China Institute
"The Lau China Institute at King’s College London is part of a network of Global Institutes dedicated to understanding 21st century political, economic and cultural powers in a global context. The Institute focuses on interdisciplinary research into contemporary China and its impact on world affairs; coordinating and developing China-related research capabilities and China-focused programmes of study; while also building links with Chinese organizations in education, the cultural and creative sectors, business and government. Together with the Brazil, India, and Russia Institutes at King’s, the Lau China Institute aims to promote understanding, provide a hub of excellence and build connections through study, staff and student exchanges, research and knowledge sharing.
King's College London has a long history of formal and informal connections with China, with the first Professorial Chair in Chinese established in the 1840s. More recently, academics and departments at King’s have developed a wide range of links with academic organisations in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
The Lau China Institute opened in London in 2008 as the King’s China Institute, to coordinate and develop these links, provide a home for cutting-edge research, and teach innovative postgraduate programmes on contemporary China – particularly its culture, society, business and politics. The Institute became the Lau China Institute in 2012 after a transformational gift of £6 million from the family of Dr Lau Ming-Wai, a King’s alumnus based in Hong Kong."
The Lau China Institute has already becoming a focal point in the British capital for research and teaching on contemporary China. The Institute faculty are actively engaged in dialogue and debate with government, policy-makers, media and industry in the UK, China and beyond. They have relationships with a number of universities and research organisations in China, including the College’s two strategic partners – Renmin University of China and the University of Hong Kong. The focus of research is China in a contemporary global setting, with interdisciplinary teaching and research drawn from across the arts and humanities, policy, science and health disciplines. Research specialities include Chinese political and social science, governance, international relations, business, religion, philosophy and culture.