Trinity Laban has been shortlisted for the Cultural Partnership of the Year Award at the UK-China Business Awards 2026. The nomination recognises the landmark Beijing Dance Academy Trinity Laban Joint Institute and major joint performance, Hé (和 / 河 / 合), the finale of BDA’s international showcase.
The Cultural Partnership of the Year Award celebrates a standout partnership that brings the UK and China closer together through the power of culture, the arts, the creative industries, and sport. It recognises bold collaborations that captivate audiences, spark fresh ideas, and create lasting connections between communities in both countries.
The recent approval of the Beijing Dance Academy Trinity Laban Institute in Beijing represents a landmark achievement in UK-China cultural collaboration within the performing arts. It is Trinity Laban’s first transnational education initiative, as well as the first UK-China Joint Institute in China dedicated to the performing arts. A world-leading collaboration, the institute establishes a sustainable platform for education, artistic creation, and research.
Alongside this historic joint institute approval, the long-standing collaboration between Beijing Dance Academy and Trinity Laban has already delivered significant artistic outcomes. In October 2025, Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy co-presented a major joint performance in Beijing titled Hé (和 / 河 / 合), the finale of BDA’s international showcase featuring 12 leading dance institutions from nine countries. Co-conceived by BDA Party Secretary Liu Lan, BDA Principal Professor Xu Rui, and Trinity Laban’s Principal Professor Anthony Bowne, the production brought together artists, educators, students, and alumni from both institutions in a creative dialogue exploring shared cultural values through performance. The performance attracted a distinguished audience including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Beijing Municipal Government’s Education Department, and the Central Foreign Affairs Office.
By combining a pioneering institutional partnership with high-profile artistic collaboration, Trinity Laban and Beijing Dance Academy have created a sustainable model for international cultural engagement. The initiative strengthens artistic dialogue, supports the development and mobility of emerging talent, and demonstrates how performing arts education can build lasting bridges between cultures.
Also nominated in the Cultural Partnership of the Year Award are the British Library, the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, RSL Awards, Sinoist Books, and Lingtan.
The results will be announced at the Chinese Shakespeare Supper event on Thursday 21 May at the Underglobe.