(BAFTA, 19 January 2012)

My Lords,
MPs,
Mr. Martin Davidson,
Ms. Christine Lee,
Mr. Bai Fan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's a great pleasure to join you at the premiere of the documentary Talk of Home. There is no better place to launch the film than at the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts. And there is no better time to do it than on the eve of the Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon.

I wish to offer my warm congratulations on behalf of the Chinese Embassy on the initiative to create and launch this film.

March this year marks 40 years of full diplomatic relations between China and Britain. In that period our countries have developed deep and maturing links. Yet there is a great deal to be done to build understanding between our two peoples. That is why I very much welcome the production of this film.

I believe that this is the first documentary in this style about the Chinese communities in Britain.

The Chinese communities in this country now number an estimated 650,000 people. These Chinese come from virtually all professional backgrounds, including commercial, cultural, educational and technology sectors.

Their role in British society is increasingly visible. I hope that this film will foster greater understanding about their contributions to Britain's economic growth, social progress and cultural diversity.

During the past centuries the Chinese communities in the UK have achieved many 'firsts'.

Britain hosted the first wave of Chinese immigrants to Europe. The UK is also where the first China Town, the first Chinese community organization and the first Chinese language newspaper in Europe were created.

The Chinese are proud members of the British society. They worked very hard, prospered, built friendships with British people, and in turn gave back to society in Britain.

I would like to make a special mention about the Producers of this film. C Cubed Media deserve special thanks for the initiative of making this documentary. Through the film we are able to witness an extraordinary story. The images track Chinese immigrants to British shores, then onwards to their career success, and their more recent efforts to play a more active role politically.

I believe the film provides unique insight into the character of the Chinese people. More important, it provides inspiration for the Chinese communities to integrate more deeply and contribute even more to greater prosperity in Britain.

As we mark 40 years of China-UK full diplomatic ties in the coming months, this documentary provides a splendid memento. It creates a symbol of the cultural bonds between our two nations. It is also a spur to carry forward China-UK partnership into a new era.

Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those whose hard work has made this documentary possible.

I look forward to more cultural products from C Cubed Media. I hope they will come up with more contributions like this to boost China-UK cultural exchanges.

I also want to thank all the British friends who have supported the Chinese communities in Britain.

In closing, I wish the premiere a great success. I wish China and Britain a lasting friendship! And I wish everyone present tonight a happy year of the Dragon!

Thank you!