LinkChinese UK News

UK Border Agency has announced the latest changes in the points-based visa system. These changes are related to the Tier 1 (Highly skilled) and Tier 2 (Skilled) visas.

On 6 April the Government will make significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system, as well as to marriage visas for members of the armed forces, asylum and English for Speakers of Other Languages. The changes were announced today by Borders and Immigration.

The Government has accepted changes to Tier 1 recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and has set out further details of how it will implement changes the MAC recommended to Tier 2.

Read the full story here.

 

Hong Kong Dance Collection
By Jumping Frames

British Premiere

19:00 Wednesday 17 March

CCA, Centre for Contemporary Arts
350 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3JD

Box Office: 0141 352 4900
Tickets: £5 (£3)

To launch the beginning of our Scotland-China DanceLinks programme, which will continue over the next two years, we are delighted to premiere a programme of work from Jumping Frames, the only dance video festival in Asia. The selection will include both commissioned works and works from competition, focusing on award winning Hong Kong dance videos, featuring the hottest dance artists, as well as hilarious commentary on Hong Kong style tea canteen, fashion chic and other “hongkee” indulgence. This collection of eight works highlights the best of original talent in digital technology, video art and choreography currently working in Hong Kong.

Dance House
20 St Andrews Street
GLASGOW G1 5PD
T: 0141 552 2442
M: 07747 742 547
E: info@dancehouse.org
W: www.dancehouse.org

 

From FCO website:

Foreign Secretary David Miliband inserted the final rod in the seed cathedral at the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo today.

The Foreign Secretary looked around the Expo site and met the team responsible for building the Pavilion. He said:

“The UK Pavilion is a remarkable structure and an eye-catching achievement. It is testament to British creativity - in design, in business and science. I am proud and excited that we will bring the best of British investment opportunities and culture to the biggest Expo ever. I am very pleased to see how much excitement the UK programme of events and the Pavilion has caused - it will be a tremendous six months for the UK in China.”

He then made a speech at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies and addressed an academic audience on the rise of the global middle class. This is now the biggest growing economic group in China and this presents significant opportunities for trade and investment.

 

Anna May Wong - Frosted Yellow Willows, a documentary about the life of this first Chinese American Hollywood star, will be shown at the coming Bradford International Film Festival.

This film is screening as a double bill with Piccadilly starring Anna May Wong.

The writer and director of this documentary, Elaine Mae Woo will join the audiences.

From Bradford International Film Festival:

They called her “The Yellow Wonder”. The daughter of a Chinese laundryman Anna May Wong (1905-61) was a pioneering actress during the embryonic (and deeply racist) years of Hollywood, Despite early success in 1921’s The Toll of the Sea, Wong ricocheted around Hollywood seeking to make a break into movies. Her exotic looks ensured she was never short of work but all too often Wong was relegated to playing servant girls or sundry ethnic support – Indians, Eskimos, Polynesians – whilst white actresses were employed by the studios in key oriental roles. Leading roles were denied her until 1928 when, aged 23, she broke through as Song in the German film of the same name. Over a career spanning 40 years Wong (real name Wong Liu Tsong, or Frosted Yellow Willows) broke down barriers, becoming the first global Chinese/American star. From silents through talkies to TV and beyond, she struggled to be more than just the stereotypical dragon lady of screen villainy.

Print source: Woo Neiman Productions

 

Mr Van Cuong Truong (MBE) Mr Wing Yip (OBE) from the UK Chinese community are recognised for their contributions to British society in the 2010 Queen’s new years honours

Two ordinary men who have made an exceptional contribution to British society have been rewarded for their vision and hard work by being acknowledged in the 2010 New Year’s Queen’s honours.

(more…)

 

Global Links Initiative has published a new book about social entrepreneurship in China.

“Do social entrepreneurs exist in China? If so, who are they?” The answer to the first question is a resounding YES, and these questions led to the idea to put together this book, the first of its kind to introduce the exciting development of social entrepreneurship in China.

The book features ten stories that cover 13 social entrepreneurs. They came from very different backgrounds: ‘China Rabbit King’, REN Xuping, left school when he was just 14 years old because of poverty; the two young founders of Venture in Development, Marie and Carol, first got to know ‘social entrepreneurism’ at the Kennedy School in Harvard; the founders of Wu Qi Training School, 1kg More and Love Farms were once urban white-collar workers; LV Zhao (founder of NPI) and SHEN Dongshu (CEO of Fu Ping) were very successful businessmen before they decided to devote themselves to the nonprofit world.

For more about the book, table of contents, and how to purchase the book, please visit Global Links Initiative.

 

UK Border Agency has published the changes to Tier 4 student visa application, which were announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson last month.

Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications from today 3 March 2010 (03/03/2010)

Following the earlier announcement of a new set of measures to tighten the criteria on student Tier 4 visa applications, the following changes come into effect from today 3 March 2010:

* The minimum level of English language course has been raised to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students will therefore need a higher level of English at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to come and study an English language course in the UK.  Exceptions apply to Government sponsored students and specific pre-sessional English courses.
* If you are coming to study below degree level (excluding foundation degree students) you will only be able to work 10 hours a week (this has been reduced from 20 hours).
* If you are studying for a course under Tier 4 for less than 6 months, you will no longer be able to bring your dependants.
* Dependants of anyone studying a course lower than degree level (excluding those on foundation degree courses) will no longer be able to work (unless they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, sportsperson or minister of religion).

If you have submitted and paid for your application before 3 March 2010, you will be considered against the rules in force at the time.

Please check the Tier 4 General and Child Student guidance on this website for full details of the changes.

Further changes will be introduced from April 2010.

 

Piccadilly Revisited is a film, dance, drama and music performance
inspired by the life and loves of Hollywood’s first Chinese film star,
Anna May Wong, and the classic British silent movie Piccadilly (1929) in which she played a starring role.

Wong was a celebrated actress who worked with Dietrich and Olivier,
graced the pages of Vogue, Tatler and Vanity Fair, and the song These
Foolish Things was written for her. Chinatown Arts Space is delighted
to celebrate her achievements in this, her seminal film directed by
E.A. Dupont.

7:45pm, 30-31 March 2010

Linbury Studio Theatre
Royal Opera House
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9DD

Tickets:
£12, £10, standing £5
Concessions including students
and ROH Access Scheme £8
Box Office:
020 7304 4000
www.roh.org.uk

(more…)

 

BBC News reports the case of a Chinese medicine practitioner who pleaded guilty of selling pills containing aristolochic acid.

A practitioner of Chinese medicine has pleaded guilty to selling a banned substance to a woman who went on to develop kidney failure and cancer.

Ying “Susan” Wu, 48, of Holland-on-Sea in Essex, has been on trial at the Old Bailey for selling pills containing aristolochic acid to a civil servant.

The judge said he accepted Ms Wu had not meant to harm, and that the case highlighted the need for regulation.

Ms Wu has now been given a conditional discharge.

Read the full story…

 

UK Border Agency released detailed changes on non-EEA students visa which was announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson last Sunday.

From UKBA (full news release here):

Foreign students from outside Europe wanting to come to the UK to study will be required to meet stricter entry criteria, the Home Secretary announced today.

The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in the UK, and that their dependants cannot work here at all.

It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson also confirmed that the government will implement plans to introduce a points test by 2011 for those who wish to earn British citizenship.

The new measures for students include:

* a good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will be needed to come to the UK and study to improve English language competency further;
* a good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level;
* restricting the lowest-level courses (A levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions;
* halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time;
* a ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and
* a ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working - they will face removal from the UK if found doing so.

(more…)