The Confucius Institute’s project has been developing Chinese language and culture programmes in schools across Wales for the past five years. Lansdowne Primary School has been a pioneer, having established additional classes every week. The school was the first in Wales to submit children for the YCT Official Chinese Language Proficiency test in 2011.

The Welsh brand must be reinvigorated to tackle negative perceptions of the country, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told business leaders in London last night. The Assembly Government’s office in London will be overhauled as part of an effort to banish damaging stereotypes and the search is on for a follow- up event to last year’s Ryder Cup.