The Official Newsletter of the August 2008 • Volume 1 Chinese Orient for Labour Sino-British ‘new’ relations – ’s first visit to China as PM

was accompanied on his trip by more than twenty British and European business figures. The two countries were keen to boost bilateral trade by 50% by 2010. This, according to Mr Brown, will create “tens of thousands” of jobs in the UK. Mr Brown was also optimistic that 100 new Chinese companies would invest in the from the Chair… UK by 2010. Mr Brown also officiated at the opening of the Chinese division of the London Stock Exchange in Beijing. 2008 heralds a step change in the On environmental issues, Mr Brown said that Britain and China activities of Chinese for Labour and we will work together on the development of higher level of are extremely happy that Ian McCartney cooperation which will lead the world in the creation of eco-cities has agreed to be one of our Patrons and and eco-towns. our Parliamentary Champion. His Ping Pong diplomacy was brought into play when the Chinese experience of the Party and of Premier Wen Jiabao and Gordon Brown watched a table tennis government will be invaluable as we seek performance by Chinese and British athletes at Renmin to grow our organization and we look University. During this visit, the Chinese Premier extended an forward to working closely with him on the invitation to Mr & Mrs Brown to the Beijing Olympics. Shanghai Expo 2010. The three-day visit also took Mr Brown to Shanghai, a major Our campaigning during the London economic and financial centre in east China, where he met elections and our annual CNY dinner has Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, were in Beijing Chinese entrepreneurs and witnessed the signing of a formed the core of our work. Later this & Shanghai in January this year – his first official visit since taking memorandum of understanding on the development of Dongtan year we will be heading out into the office in June 2007. Mr Brown met Chinese President Hu Jintao eco-city, the world’s first environmentally and economically regions – reaching out directly to build and Premier Wen Jiaboa during his short visit. sustainable city. Mr Brown’s visit injected new impetus into the Labour support amongst Chinese voters in The emphasis of the visit was mainly on trade and Mr Brown steadily progressing Sino-British relations. key and attack seats, as well as developing regional bases so that Chinese for Labour can work in partnership with local parties. Look out for forthcoming Celebrating the events in Manchester (during conference), in Bristol and in Brighton. Year of the Rat With the Beijing Olympics this year, China is firmly in the spotlight. I am in no One of the highlights doubt the Games will be the best ever. of Chinese for However, with the world’s focus on the Labour’s 2008 country will come increasing scrutiny of its calendar came policies, especially with regard to its on 13 February, attitude to human rights domestically and with our Chinese abroad. This will be a pivotal year for the New Year Dinner West’s relations with China. China’s celebration at the absolute pursuit of its national interest is Phoenix Palace exerting itself across the world in areas of Restaurant. strife such as Zimbabwe, Darfur and Organised jointly with the Labour Party, Burma. Whether the aspiring superpower more than 150 guests joined us to learns the lessons of other superpowers welcome the Year of the Rat in style, with past and present remains to be seen. a champagne reception, a magnificent Whilst awareness of China continues to banquet and even better company. Guests grow, Labour politicians must continue to included Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon bear in mind the social and economic MP, Acting General needs of the UK Chinese population. I Secretary, Chris Lennie and the Deputy welcome the practical work of our Chinese Mayor of London, AM. for Labour Executive members along with Opening the evening was Chinese for others to develop proposals for an extra Labour’s new patron, the Rt Hon Ian care home for Chinese pensioners. We are McCartney MP. He spoke of his time as a fully supportive of Labour’s drive to ensure seaman and of his new role as the UK celebrated the “Chinese community’s that health and social care is personalized, Commissioner General for the Shanghai London calling contribution to the cultural and economic effective and culturally appropriate. It Expo 2010. In the run-up to the London elections held life of our capital”. draws a sharp contrast to former Shadow As with other communities, Chinese on 1 May 2008, Chinese for Labour was Ken Livingstone was steadfast in his Home Secretary, David Davis’s view that families place an extremely high value on able to gain a considerable amount of support of Chinese cultural activities in such facilities “feed extremism”. a good education for their children so we coverage for Labour’s campaign in the London including Chinese New Year Despite census figures which suggest a were pleased to welcome the Rt Hon Jim Chinese press and ran an active online celebrations in Trafalgar Square and China population of around 250,000 (and other Knight MP (Minister of State for Schools campaign. in London and China Now. He opened estimates upwards of that) and a high and Learners) as our main speaker. Jim Members distributed a bilingual leaflet offices in Shanghai and Beijing and level of integration, there continues to be a spoke of the need to build knowledge and showcasing Labour candidates, Labour’s ensured that business support is provided low level of visibility in certain areas of cultural understanding between the United policies and a ‘how to vote’ guide. We ran to Chinese companies wishing to list / set Britain’s public sphere including politics. In Kingdom and China, on the teaching of an active and lively street stall (despite up in London. November, I was pleased to attend the Mandarin in schools and on the torrential rain!) in Chinatown’s Gerrard Contrast this with Boris Johnson’s view Pearl Awards to celebrate the Government’s investment in state Street, with the support of Deputy Mayor, that: “Chinese cultural influence is virtually achievement of individuals and education. He praised the achievements Nicky Gavron and Assembly Member nil, and unlikely to increase’. During the organisations of Chinese origin, for their of Chinese children, and suggested that Murad Qureshi. We also campaigned in campaign, the Tory candidate was work towards raising the profile and there might be lessons to be learned from Oriental City in Brent for candidate, Navin considering whether financial support for creating a positive image of Chinese them in order to improve educational Shah and were pleased that he won back cultural festivals would be provided under people in multi-cultural Britain. attainment across the board. the Brent and Harrow seat from the Tories. his Mayoralty, and was looking at the Finally, I look forward to seeing you at In the year of the Beijing Olympics, our Before the election, Ken Livingstone closure of the offices in China – putting some of our many events. I hope you will after dinner speaker was six-time said that: “China is the most dynamic London’s economy at risk. consider joining Chinese for Labour – you Olympian, Tessa Sanderson CBE. Tessa economy in the world and London is the Unfortunately, whilst Ken was able to can find a membership application form described her journey to her Olympic Gold world’s most international city. Our city increase his vote across the Capital the on page 4 of this newsletter. Your support in 1984 and proved to be a passionate can only benefit from the strongest Tories took the Mayoralty. We will continue helps us to work with a traditionally ‘hard advocate of the Games. She spoke of the possible business, economic, tourism and to keep a close watch on the activities of to reach’ (but sizeable) population and to G Continued on Page 2 cultural links with China” and has the Tory Mayor. get them voting Labour. economy. We have evidence of many Migration and the Chinese community Chinese restaurant owners who are in danger of losing chefs and other staff he British Government recognises policy framework which will deter the ministers and the Labour Government and therefore putting themselves out of the economic and social value of exploitation of potential migrant workers the need for fair, transparent and business. Tmigration. In its response to the by unscrupulous employers, recruitment managed migration policies and Chinese for Labour welcomes the recent House of Lords Committee report agencies, gangmasters and the criminal programmes. CfL has also called for points-based system but is urging the on the economic impacts of migration, fraternity. We have witnessed the tragic better inter-governmental working to Government to recognise the labour the Government presented evidence consequences of this in our own tackle human trafficking and shortages of the Chinese catering showing that immigration has a made a Chinese community from the Dover 58 exploitation, better regulation of industry (alongside other ethnic catering positive contribution to the GDP per and Morecambe Bay events. recruitment agencies, licensing of industries) and further to ensure that this capita of people born in the UK. Earlier in 2008, as part of a wider gangmasters and measures to tackle system is sufficiently flexible in order Between mid-2001 and mid-2006, new policy framework, the Government exploitation by unscrupulous employers that issues highlighted by our sector migration has been estimated to introduced a points-based system, of migrant employees in the UK. CfL industry are addressed. This will ensure contribute 0.5 per cent per annum rather than simple capping, to support a also suggested that the Chinese that we continue to be able to meet this growth to the UK economy. Evidence managed migration system. The Border voluntary sector be better resourced to specific labour demand, contribute to submitted suggests that migrants on and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne MP support and advocate for exploited the wider economy as well as provide a average make a stronger net fiscal cited that a points-based system will workers and migrants. much enjoyed cuisine to a multi-cultural contribution than those born in the UK. cover twice as many people as a cap, is Although a points-based system society. As for the issue of illegal Although there has not been a more flexible to change to meet labour along the lines of those operated in workers already working here, there are systematic study highlighting the needs and will better benefit employers, Australia and other countries have convincing arguments and evidence to Chinese community, it can be assumed the economy and wider society by being worked, its introduction here has introduce an earned that, as one of the relatively younger revealed a number of difficulties faced regularisation/amnesty policy. Several migrant communities, the Chinese by the Chinese community, in particular countries such as the USA, Germany, community has made a significant the Chinese catering industry. The France etc have implemented this contribution towards the British current system sets out a wide range of successfully for many years. President economy as well as enriching the social highly skilled occupations which are Bush, presidential candidates Barak fabric of our multi-cultural society. needed by the various industrial sectors Obama and John McCain have all Immigration helps to contribute to the eg engineers, scientists and openly supported the continuation of economic success of this country by doctors/consultants and other this policy and approach for the United helping to meet labour and skills professions. Points are accumulated States. In the House of Commons shortages in the public and private based on qualification, previous recently, 93 MPs (including 72 Labour sectors. Migration has helped to earnings, age, skills, English language MPs) signed an Early Day Motion calling address the mismatch between proficiency and levels of funds being for earned regularisation. Chinese for vacancies and available labour supply. fairer and more transparent to potential brought in by the potential migrant. This Labour urge the wider Chinese All western governments and migrants as well as those who face does not address the very real dilemmas community and the Chinese media to industrialised countries realise that their labour shortages. He goes on to say: of Chinese restaurateurs and owners enter into this debate in order that illegal wealth creation depends on generations “On average migrants are more likely to who require skilled and semi-skilled workers from our community can be of migrant labour. The economic be in work, earn more and are therefore Chinese speaking workers to ensure brought ‘out of the shadows’, success of the USA, Germany, France, more likely to pay more tax, and are a that they are able to run their encouraged to integrate, are accorded Britain etc were built on this, especially lighter burden on public finances than businesses and provide a valued service better employment rights and after the post war years. However, there those born in the UK”. to their customers. This also does not protection, continue to contribute to the is a need to ensure that this migration is Since the Dover 58 tragedy, Chinese address the issue of Chinese illegal economy and are free from fear and managed well and is based on a strong for Labour has raised with successive workers already working in the informal exploitation.

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ĐZ¥ĈlñÅqï´Wþ×éĭßšħňµŅñÅþ× †œ?é_U³ŠîģñÅqZÅĀ£/µÀŒébłä2001~ ċ2006~ ŠġªñÅÙĐZéÃ~þ×błÐ@ è6 ŏ ŝš¨¡²IJT¬ĈlªñÅĵ·]5âDB?éÎþ×ĭß² fōÛļȵûý‹]6¸ĒqĐZéĭߊĒÙÁP ĵÏ鮥Šf™qĐZ§śþ× ´µłijé— Š4Īo Our New Patron ĐZï´d,©FéÍĔ – The Rt Hon ñÅ Ě ĐZDxW˜ĘxíāéYa•µě«¥Wxº Znľ°çĬoébłµİì)éc DxšăZg±ŠˆZ Ian McCartney ËZĐZ÷Ä cšs”Sʼn²ÙŖēO±ñÅîp ŐĜµùáWµ¦é¥øś:Š"ŋÔñÅDxNÚď* Ian McCartney was elected to represent the Makerfield Constituency in 1987. In *( ½»xŔWÞĂŌ[=;ĒïG-‡æâ d 2007 he celebrates 20 years as a Member Ò58'Ñmõđ.h؛ĖŌśĹՏ>ŠŒëŚŠ of Parliament. In September 2007, Ian was appointed Commissioner General for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and is the 2008~8ŠĐZ¥ƒ/ ġ6:‚ù:Dx/a¨ëš¤¹ Prime Minister’s personal representative on the Socialist International. ÉãéŇŕ:‚ñÅĽłœª«ËOĩŎ$¨/axŠ² Born in 1951, Ian had a number of jobs 3„‹Ļ‘Dxy`éĨFšq* þקśï´ÔcDľ after leaving school, including working as ĵRáW3ķ°‚Ďĥ ŠcDtºé½´bf/ĵ a seaman and a local government manual worker. He was a councillor for Wigan üò²dšìĵ·]5âDxĆĠŠq¥01Ĭ¥ī ²Ķ Borough from 1982-87. In his previous role at the Cabinet 58 Office, Mr McCartney was responsible for ĊdÒ 'Ñmõ>æ⇩ĐZĒxŞ-‡d¾TxŞ modernising government and E- ¥WµŅĽłž0}0ńĕáñÅ¥øWóéĢÇĐZ government. He was also responsible for G Continued from Page 1 the co-ordination of the 2002 Ēx޲ĜÇQ¥^ė½»ìIĦŠµ¦–ŸĮĺőËDx Commonwealth Games drugs policy and opportunities that the 2012 Olympic and ê=DxéÞĂ[ešöËù:*( ŠšqxŔp­æÜ:‚ the Better Government for Older People Paralympic Games bring to the country initiative. This was launched in June 1998 and the young people in East London šqåņ¿ď* =;cDĒxŞVúĒïG¶C to improve public services for older people specifically. ½»Ħ§įÓŠŅÌWIANY¢Wę=;éxLWñÅ by listening to their needs on wide ranging We would like to express our thanks to issues including, access to benefits, the Labour Party, trade union, community health, housing and transport. (especially Michael Leahy OBE and Joe +ùñÅġ6Ë\Öw÷Zn­ėĝ9’¦š\ĐZ‰€^ė Ian has held several senior ministerial Mann), local MP, Karen Buck, Raymond µjéuŇŠs2qĒŘŗº†œċfŁà:‚7č5Ŝ˜ posts, was Labour Party Chair and Chair Siu (proprietor of Phoenix Palace) the of the National Policy Forum. We are very retailers, Wing Yip (W Wing Yip) and Ęėºôā gxózðinĿâ÷ćšĀġ6¨EšįÁ pleased that he has agreed to be our Stanley KT Tse (See Woo Foods) and One 

Shanghai Expo 2010 will be an important and exciting event, which “will capture the imagination of the international community. The UK presence will highlight British creativity, diversity and innovation, underpinned by the values of a dynamic, knowledge-based economy based on the principles of sustainable development.” Prime Minister , writing to Premier Wen Jiabao, 4 August 2006. Every World Expo is unique. But the Its Annual Conference is the main event in Shanghai Expo will be the most Labour’s political calendar and a crucial spectacular the world has seen – the first part of our policy making process. This is time an Expo has been held in a an opportunity for delegates to find out developing country. Shanghai 2010 will be and debate the big policy challenges the commercial, technological and cultural facing Britain in depth, today and in the Olympics of 2010. It will be four times the future. size of the 2005 World Expo in Aichi Held every autumn, Labour’s Annual Japan. 2010 will be a critical time for Conference is one of the largest political many decision makers and organisations events in Europe. The 2007 conference as the demands and challenges of the was held in Bournemouth from 23-27th present are viewed and explored September. alongside the technologies and After ten years delivering the Monday opportunities of the future. The full scope and David Adjaye selected the financial sustainability. speech, Gordon Brown finally gets his of that innovation, creativity and enterprise Heatherwick concept from a strong field of Britain has extraordinary cultural and opportunity to lead the Labour party will be on show over the 184 days of the six shortlisted designs. creative strengths, which infuse our through the conference season. World Expo in Shanghai, from May 1st to The British contribution to the Expo industries and our national identity. The Expectations are high for his debut October 31st 2010. theme: Better City, Better Life. The Foreign design industry will be central to British performance as prime minister, with Mr Heatherwick Studio, leading a team that and Commonwealth Office is overseeing economic development in the 21st Brown still fleshing out his policy agenda includes designer Casson Mann, structural the ’s presence for the century. for the upcoming parliamentary term. engineer Adams Kara Taylor and Expo in Shanghai. Expo 2010 provides a platform on Commentators have even been technology engineer Atelier Ten won the According to the United Nations, the which to engage hundreds of thousands speculating that Mr Brown may use his competition to design the UK pavilion for pace of urbanisation across the world will of visitors in a conversation about conference speech to call an early general Shanghai Expo in 2010. remain very rapid over the next 20 years. contemporary British identity, the UK’s election and announce a polling date in A jury chaired by Digby, Lord Jones of Meeting the challenges of urbanisation will relationship with China, the common October. Of course that proved to be Birmingham, Trade and Investment require a holistic approach, encompassing global challenges that face us, and the unfounded. Instead, the prime minister’s Minister, and featuring CABE Chair John issues of quality of life, competitiveness, opportunities they present for mutual main commitments cover issues on Sorrell and architects Nicholas Grimshaw governance and environmental and growth and advancement. education, family, health and social care, employment, housing, crime, environment and foreign policy. The Labour Party Annual Conference 2008 will take place in Manchester from Saturday 20th September, concluding on Wednesday 24th September. Chinese for Labour will be holding a reception at Conference on Sunday 21st September. Please contact us for further details.

All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) All-party groups are regarded as relatively informal compared with other cross-party bodies such as select committees of the House. The membership of all-party groups mainly comprises backbench Members of the House of Commons and Lords but may also include ministers and non-parliamentarians. There are two main APPGs with Chinese links:

All-Party Parliamentary China Group – To conduct a dialogue with the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong) and to assist in the development of all aspects of the UK-China bilateral relationship including trade and investment and cultural exchange. In particular to facilitate exchanges with the People’s Congress in China on the basis of the MoU signed between the China-UK Friendship Group and the All-Party Group. To develop dialogue with the ambassador and embassy staff in London and to engage with the Chinese community in the UK. Contact details: Mr Ben Chapman MP, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA. Tel: 020 7219 6917

Chinese in Britain All-Party Parliamentary Group – To promote the interests of the Chinese community in Britain within parliament. Contact details: Mr Andrew Dismore MP, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA. Tel: 020 7219 4408. The Orient • August 2008 Volume 1 3 Executive Committee Members 2007/2008 Ashton McGregor taken on the responsibility for publishing the CfL Chinese People. He works tirelessly for the her contribution to the Committee is much Ashton McGregor, 31, is a public sector Newsletter and managing its website. Chinese community in various capacities. Stephen appreciated. She is very committed to helping and consultant. He is currently overseeing several was joint winner of the Outstanding Contribution improving the life of Chinese people in the projects to reduce health inequalities, but in the Mee Ling Ng, OBE to Community Volunteering Award in 2005. community. She works tirelessly to ensure that past his work has included Olympic security Mee Ling is the other Vice Chair of CfL. Mee Ling Islington Chinese Association serves the local planning, bringing back neighbourhood policing to was the Founder Chair of CfL, leading us with Peter Ton-That people well. ICA is one of the most successful London, reducing police bureaucracy and distinction and success until pressure of work Peter joined CfL at the AGM in 2007. He is the Chinese associations, providing advice, care and a improving services for victims of crime. A former forced her to relinquish her Chairmanship. Under Secretary of CfL and has already contributed pleasant environment for the local Chinese Labour councillor in Tower Hamlets, Ashton has her leadership as Chair, CfL has gained much of his time to CfL since he joined. Peter community, enabling them to get together every sat on a number of local and national housing and recognition in the Chinese Community and in the works as a project manager at JP Morgan and has day. Katy’s experience of working with the regeneration bodies. He hails from the north of Labour Party. experience in financial services . He is also an community is of particular value to Chinese for . Mee Ling was a Councillor in the London active member in the Labour Party in Tower Labour. Other than being a trustee on various Borough of Lewisham for 16 years and was Hamlets and Vice Chair of LienViet, a housing community and voluntary organisations, Katy was Sonny Leong Deputy Leader of the Council for a number of association which provides housing mainly for a Non-Executive Director with the Islington Sonny Leong is a Vice Chair of Chinese for Labour years. Currently, she is the Chair of Southwark Chinese and Vietnamese. Peter ran the London Primary Care Trust. and a member of the Labour Party 1000 Club. He Primary Care Trust, a position she has held for a Marathon in 2004 and is keen on sport, including was Executive Chairman of a publishing company, number of years. tennis. He stood for the Council election in Tower Tai Lau and grew it to be the largest independent In recognition of her services to the Chinese Hamlets in 2006. Tai re-joined Chinese for Labour at the AGM in academic law publisher in the UK before selling Community and to the wider community, Mee Ling 2007 and is a member of the Executive the business in 2006 to pursue his private aviation was awarded an OBE in last year’s Queen’s Soon Hoe Teh Committee. He is committed to raising the business. He is currently Chairman of a public Honours List. Teh is the Treasurer and Membership Secretary of Chinese profile in UK politics. Tai is an architect listed private aviation business and a non CfL. Teh was a Councillor in Barnet from 2002 to and currently involved in urban regeneration and executive Director of several companies. He is the Stephen Lui Nam Ng 2006 and has also been a Non-Executive Director social housing projects. Tai has many interests in Ambassador for Help the Aged, and assists in Stephen is also founder of CfL and long serving of Barnet Primary Care Trust. Teh has now retired the wider community. He is an assessor of the promoting their policies to ministers, MPs and member of Islington Chinese Association, and has from these activities. London Art Lottery and a member of Islington peers. Sonny is a very resourceful and energetic given a lot of his time and effort to these Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of member. He has initiated a number of issues, such organisations. He is one of the key members of Lady Katy Tse Blair the London Equal Opportunity Federation and an as the CfL Membership Strategy, and has begun CfL and is currently its Media Officer. He is a Katy is one of the Founders of Chinese for Labour advisor to Islington Chinese Association. Tai brings setting out the process of establishing a closer link dedicated Trustee of Islington Chinese Association and Islington Chinese Association. Katy is a with him a vast experience of community affairs with the Parliamentary Labour Party. He has also and the Great Wall Society Home for Elderly member of the Executive Committee of CfL and and has much to contribute to CfL. Come on, join us

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Signed: Date: Please send the completed Application Form to: Date: 2008 Chinese for Labour, PO Box 49080, London N11 9AA. Contact Telephone No: www.chineseforlabour.org.uk [email protected] 4 The Orient • August 2008 Volume 1