The Duke of Cambridge, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), presented a BAFTA gift to Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, at Lancaster House, London, yesterday.

The gift – an original artwork from the BAFTA archive revealing the heart of BAFTA’s historic headquarters in London – symbolises the spirit of open, creative collaboration that BAFTA promotes between the UK and China and commemorates 2015 as the UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange.

Yesterday’s event was part of President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to the UK from 20-23 October. It showcased the best of UK creativity and highlighted recent and new collaborations with China across a range of British companies and institutions.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, guided President Xi Jinping and HRH The Duke of Cambridge through the showcase at which BAFTA screened a short film highlighting its ongoing work in China and staged a performance by BAFTA scholarship recipient Wan Pin Chu, a composer from Hong Kong, who performed British and Chinese music on the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “I was delighted with our involvement in the event and to be part of President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to the UK. The event showcased the range of creative excellence in the UK while recognising China’s significant contribution to the arts.

“BAFTA encourages creative and cultural exchange, and we’ve already begun this work by investing in new talent and laying foundations for future collaboration through initiatives and events in mainland China and Hong Kong.

“HRH The Duke of Cambridge’s gift presentation to President Xi Jinping, made on our behalf, is a symbol of our commitment to strengthening ties between our countries as we announce our first-ever event in Beijing and prepare to open applications for an expansion of our scholarship programme across mainland China, which began in Hong Kong.”

The Duke of Cambridge is a supporter BAFTA’s work in China, helping the organisation forge stronger links with creative talent in the country. In March this year, The Duke donated a replica BAFTA award on the Academy’s behalf to the Shanghai Film Museum during the GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai, and helped launch BAFTA’s latest scholarship scheme for students studying in mainland China and Hong Kong, which opens for applications in 2016.

BAFTA has been working with partners in China to deliver masterclasses and workshops since 2013.