From tea to the Terracotta Warriors, from the mighty Yangtze and Yellow Rivers to the great cities of Beijing and Shanghai, from inventions such as paper and printing to the Great Wall, China has an unequalled heritage stretching back over more than two millennia. Jonathan Fenby, author of eight books on the country, will explore the past achievements and the natural and man-made wonders which act as foundations for its emergence as a todays global super-power. This talk draws together articles by leading scholars on the countrys achievements as well as portraying its people and their lives over the centuries. It also draws on his Penguin History of Modern China which chronicles the decline and renaissance of a nation that has always believed itself to be exceptional. Jonathan Fenby has published twenty books, mainly on modern global history, China and France. In a journalistic career spanning four decades, he was Editor of The Observer, the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong (during the handover from Britain to China) and Reuters World Service. He also held senior editorial posts at The Economist, The Independent and The Guardian and has been a foreign correspondent in Vietnam, Germany and France where he spent twelve years working for Reuters, The Economist and The Times. After returning to the UK from Hong Kong in 2000, he was a founding partner of the analytical economic-political service Trusted Sources where he headed China research and regularly visited the Peoples Republic as well as travelling globally to see clients.Made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 for services to journalism, he has also been awarded the Lgion dHonneur and Ordre du Mrite for his writings on France. He broadcasts frequently in the UK, US, France and Asia, and speaks at conferences on China and European affairs. A Q&A Session will follow.