Veteran of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Bo Yibo
and Jack Perry, greet each other in Beijing.
The 48 Group Club is an independent business network committed to promoting positive links with China. The Club's history goes back to the early 1950s, when the founding “Icebreakers” were the first Westerners to break through the embargo and establish mutually beneficial trade relations with the newly formed People's Republic of China. With over 300 members, including business and political leaders, the Club now runs an extensive programme of networking events.
The Club's activities are primarily relevant to managers leading the development of China business for British organizations. Member companies and institutions vary in size from the multinational to the micro and come from all sectors : industry, commerce, government, education, sports, culture and the law.
The Young
Icebreakers Constitution
The young icebreakers
will carry the banner of the original pioneers of relations with the
People's Republic of China. The British Young Icebreakers will seek
to develop a greater understanding in the UK of china's history and
the contributions to science and civilisation. Furthermore, to better
understand China today. It will seek to do this through meetings and
producing newsletters and information to be circulated widely among
young people in the UK.
The organisation
has no formal age but will probable appeal more to those in their 20's
and 30's. The organisation will seek to include those in their careers
and those in postgraduate studies but will not exclude any sectors.
The Young Icebreakers
will work closely with organisations from the People’s Republic of
China to help the Young Icebreakers on their voyage of discovery.
The Young Icebreakers
will seek to work with People’s Republic of China organisations that
wish to pursue mutually beneficial relations with the Young Icebreakers.
The two organisations will identify ways to promote contacts and knowledge
about each others countries and conditions with the purpose of forging
meaningful networks of contacts and friendships. the parties will seek
to promote exchanges at all levels
The Young Icebreakers
will be the successors to the 48 Group Club and will seek to forge an
alliance with other organisations that are interested in China to create
a truly broad organisation committed to the promotion of good relations
between China and the UK.
About the Young Icebreakers
48
Group Club — the “Icebreakers”
The 48 Group
Club name is almost iconic in China — from the President down. It’s
a reputation earned by a group of British business leaders through five
decades of building bridges of understanding with China. As a “Young
Icebreaker” you can draw on this vast experience and take part in
“Icebreaking” activities.
“Icebreaking”
— The Urgent Need
Almost overnight,
in historical terms, there has been the biggest shift of power in 200
years to China and Asia. These largely business driven changes have
given China “a vast trade surplus, and a massive cultural deficit
with the world”, according to President Hu Jintao. Cultural deficits
can quickly lead to conflict through poor communication or misunderstanding.
If peace and prosperity are to continue then there is a massive and
urgent task to build bridges of understanding far deeper than the current
focus on trade. Building these bridges is the mission of the “Icebreakers”
— both young and old.
Past
“Icebreaking”
The “Cold
War” gave the “Icebreakers” their name — during which time China
had been shunned in the “West”. However, in 1953, in the face of
great adversity, the “Icebreaker Mission”, including Jack Perry
and 15 other representatives from British companies, embarked on a visionary
journey to China. They paved the way for the 1954 mission by the 48
companies who later became known as the “48 Group”, successfully
establishing trade relations between the new Peoples Republic of China
and Great Britain.
Present
“Icebreaking”
Over fifty
years on and the 48 Group Club uses its unique links and understanding
of China to continue its visionary work. The focus of activities has
shifted to pioneer new Sino-UK links neglected by others, but much needed
in forging sustainable relations with China, such as in the fields of
education, law and banking. Through awards and fellowships the Club
recognises major achievers in building Sino-UK relations. Club members
come from many nationalities and walks of life in Britain and China.
Future
“Icebreaking”
Following a meeting between
Premier Wen Jiabao, and Club Chairman, Stephen Perry, they agreed that
they should unite in developing better relations between the young people
of both countries. Furthermore, in their recent meeting in Beijing,
Gordon Brown and Wen Jiabao agreed that both countries should do more
to establish communications and exchange between their young people.
The result is the “Young Icebreakers” . the next generation of
pioneers.
Message for
“Young Icebreakers”
The formation of the “
Young Icebreakers” is a natural progression. It creates a long-term
future for developing positive relations with China, promoted by the
young people of both countries. Premier Wen Jiabao told me that the
“future depends on young people”, and I strongly agree!
Given the tremendous changes in our world it is crucial
to let our students, and young professionals of British, Chinese and
all nationalities to get working together in the UK to understand each
other. Furthermore, to then work in China to develop positive understanding
of the UK. The rewards from such exchanges will be inestimable
— both personally and for our countries. So, I very much hope to welcome
you as a “Young Icebreaker”.
Stephen Perry
Chairman, 48
Group Club — “The Icebreakers”
JOIN NOW.
Contact:
Jean Jameson
0845 643 2768
admin@48groupclub.org
www.48groupclub.org
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