2024年5月16日，《Bridging the Gap (An Introduction to Intercultural Communication with China)》作者Dr. Catherine Hua Xiang应利兹大学商务孔子学院邀请，在利兹大学商学院举行见面交流会。活动由利兹大学商务孔子学院主办，线上线下共140余名师生参加。笔酣墨饱、琴声袅袅，在讲座开始之前，孔院为现场观众及嘉宾精心准备了书法体验和古筝演奏，在浓厚的中国文化氛围中，现场来宾济济一堂，与新书作者、表演嘉宾、孔院师生进行了热切交流。Dr. Catherine Hua Xiang从中国的语言和文字导入，介绍了中国人的思维习惯和处世哲学，并在此基础上揭示了与中国人建立有效沟通的原则与技巧。讲座最后，Dr. Catherine Hua Xiang回答了现场观众的提问，并为读者签售。Dr. Catherine Hua Xiang是知名作家及应用语言学家，伦敦政经学院东亚语言系主任、国际关系与中文专业项目主管，同时担任伦敦政经学院商务孔子学院英方院长。此次出版的新作为“导航中国（Navigating China）”系列丛书的首部作品，书中介绍了影响中国人交流方式的文化、语言和社会经济因素，并以理论结合实践的方式，回答了如何克服跨文化界限，在人际关系和商业环境中进行有效沟通的问题。
The Business Confucius Institute welcomed Dr Catherine Xiang from the London School of Economics on Thursday 16 May 2024 to give a guest lecture about intercultural communication with China.
The lecture outlined some key concepts from Catherine's recent book, Bridging the Gap. Real examples of missteps from famous global brands demonstrated the importance of understanding the various factors that shape how the Chinese communicate, and relevant theoretical tools were also highlighted.
Breaking down the character for ‘listen’, 聽，Catherine showed all the context and cultural insight embedded in this traditional version of the character and observed that “Ancient Chinese worked out what we call active listening a long time ago!”
The networking session prior to the lecture brought some of these cultural details to life, with calligraphy by School of Design PhD candidate Jinpeng Xu and guzheng music from School of Music student Lijun Zhang.
Dr Xiang said:
It was an absolute pleasure presenting my new book Bridging the Gap at the University of Leeds to such an engaged audience. Many thanks to Leeds Business Confucius Institute for hosting me and for offering opportunities for discussion on the important topic of intercultural communication with China.
Reflecting on the event, Business Confucius Institute UK Director Professor Lynda Song said:
As Catherine said in her slides: Developing intercultural competence is a lifelong journey. The BCI was honoured to accompany so many enthusiastic staff, students and guests this evening as they progressed further along this rewarding path.
