Giving options to promote inclusion

"The globalized society we live in today is driven by both competition and inclusion. Competition brings about progress, but we believe that inclusion is a greater force and a subject issue meaningful in the longer term," Ge adds. "Inclusive and disability arts provide opportunities for everyone. In art experiences life returns to true equality."

The forum is among a diverse range of projects the British Council is working on in China to promote accessibility.

"Here at the British Council we are continuing various events and activities focused on inclusion and disability. For all of the work that we do actually at the British Council, inclusion, equality and diversity are very much at its heart," Mughal says.

The previous projects carried out in China by the British Council include the 2019 UK-China Deaf Film Online Showcase that hosted film screenings specifically for audiences with hearing impairment, and musicians in residence, which brings British musicians in exchange programs across China and enhances cultural understanding.

Facing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is adapting its projects by transferring its exchange programs onto digital platforms, such as "distant dialogues", which allows people in China to connect online with musicians in the UK, and the digital collaboration funds, offering grants to UK organizations to carry out digital international projects.

"Despite all of those challenges, we've seen incredible resilience, imagination and creativity coming out of the art sector. Sometimes adversity breeds creativity and challenges make us look for new pathways and new ways of working," Mughal says.

"There is already some really good practice here in China ... We have seen at the disability arts forum this Mistakable Symbiotic Dance Troupe based in Guangzhou. They're doing some excellent work, so I'd like to see more organizations like that and I'd love to collaborate more with organizations like that, and encourage them also to collaborate with counterparts in the UK."