As the first Chinese student elected President of King’s College London Students’ Union, Baiyu Liu advocates for greater integration of Chinese students in UK universities. Here, he writes exclusively for FOCUS on how universities can better foster two-way cultural exchange
As a Chinese Computer Science student who grew up in the UK, I have had the privilege of navigating both Chinese and Western cultures. This dual perspective has given me insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by Chinese students in British universities. Recently, I made history by becoming the first Chinese student elected as President of the King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU). My election victory represents a personal milestone and highlights how Chinese students can engage meaningfully in university life when supported. However, it also underscores a broader issue: despite being the largest group of international students in the UK, Chinese students remain underrepresented in student politics and cultural spheres. Addressing this requires understanding the interplay of language barriers, cultural perceptions, and the absence of Chinese soft power.
Chinese students contribute significantly to the UK’s economy and universities, often paying triple the tuition fees of home students. Our parents view this as an investment in our education and exposure to a new culture, with the connections we forge often proving more valuable than the degree itself. Yet, many of us feel like little more than a revenue stream for universities. At King’s College London, Chinese students form the largest international demographic, yet our presence in the Students’ Union was historically negligible. This lack of representation meant our concerns, such as delays in receiving physical degree certificates, which can disrupt job applications or civil service exam deadlines in China, were struggling to be heard. My campaign for KCLSU President sought to change this by mobilising Chinese students, a group often politically apathetic, through targeted outreach on platforms like Rednote (Xiaohongshu) and Instagram, and by addressing issues like digital degree certificates, access to Chinese food, and hot water dispensers on campus. During my campaign, I worked alongside a fantastic team of students to reach out to the wider student community, with a particular emphasis on engaging Chinese students whose voices had historically been underrepresented. This sparked unprecedented engagement in a KCLSU election. I am deeply grateful to my campaign team and all those who supported and believed in the vision of making student representation more inclusive. Their efforts were invaluable in reaching and inspiring a broader range of students across King’s.
The underrepresentation of Chinese students extends beyond politics to the cultural fabric of universities. Japanese and Korean student societies attract diverse members, including British students, drawn by the global appeal of anime, K-pop, and other forms of soft power. In contrast, Chinese student societies are often homogeneously Chinese, reflecting a lack of broader interest in Chinese culture. This disparity raises questions about why Chinese culture struggles to resonate with Western youth. Part of the issue lies in soft power: while Japan and Korea export globally recognised bands, films, and stars, China’s cultural exports—like the success of Ne Zha 2 or interest in Chinese cuisine—remain less prominent. However, the appetite for Chinese culture exists, as seen in viral livestreams by creators like iShowSpeed. Universities could bridge this gap by fostering cultural exchange through inclusive events and encouraging Chinese student leaders to promote their heritage in ways that resonate with diverse audiences.
Language barriers also play a significant role in Chinese students’ isolation. Many of us arrive in the UK with English as a second language, making it challenging to integrate into the fast-paced, often outspoken Western university culture. Unlike the reserved and conservative social norms many Chinese students are accustomed to, British university life emphasises extroversion and social mixing, which can feel daunting. Current English proficiency tests like IELTS often fail to assess conversational fluency, leaving students unprepared for daily interactions. Universities could address this by reforming language assessments to focus on practical communication and by offering more robust integration programs, such as mentorship schemes or ice-breaking events led by student unions.
Geopolitical perceptions further complicate integration. The success of Japanese and Korean cultural exports is bolstered by positive national images, while China’s global reputation is often marred by political tensions. This can translate into subtle distrust or hostility toward Chinese students, who may feel unfairly judged based on their country’s image rather than their individual merits. British students, too, sometimes make insufficient efforts to engage with their Chinese peers, perpetuating a cycle of mutual misunderstanding. Universities, as microcosms of global interconnectedness, have a responsibility to counteract these biases by promoting dialogue and shared experiences. Mixed-group events addressing universal student concerns—like internships, cost of living, or campus social life—can foster common ground, as I emphasised during my personal campaign for the KCLSU Presidency.
The stakes are high for British universities, which rely heavily on Chinese students’ tuition fees. With growing competition from Chinese universities, particularly in STEM fields, and the appeal of studying at home, where students face no cultural shock, lower costs, and strong career prospects in China’s booming tech sector, UK institutions must act swiftly. Beyond enhancing STEM offerings, universities should leverage their comparative advantage in arts and humanities and invest in cultural integration initiatives. I believe the most effective step is to empower Chinese student leaders to advocate for their community within student unions. By giving Chinese students a voice, universities can ensure their needs are heard, fostering a truly two-way cultural exchange.
My election as KCLSU President demonstrates that Chinese students are ready to engage when given the opportunity. Through strategic use of social media and addressing relevant issues, my campaign contributed to a shift in how student elections were approached, moving from popularity contests to policy-driven campaigns. This model is already inspiring Chinese students at other UK universities to follow suit, signalling a potential wave of increased engagement. For British universities, the message is clear: embrace Chinese students not just as economic contributors but as cultural ambassadors who can enrich campus life. By addressing language barriers, countering geopolitical biases, and amplifying Chinese voices, we can build a university culture that reflects the globalised world our generation inhabits—one where every student’s voice matters.
The opinions in this article are solely those of Baiyu Liu, the president-elect of KCLSU, who will take office in August 2025. This article does not reflect the opinions of KCL, KCLSU, its staff or officers.
