Catherine Hua Xiang

Dr Catherine Hua Xiang is an award-winning applied linguist, author, and global thought leader in intercultural communication and Chinese business culture. She is Programme Director at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she leads the BSc International Relations & Chinese and coordinates East Asian languages, and UK Director of the Confucius Institute for Business London, a joint LSE–Tsinghua initiative.

In 2024, she published her first business book, Bridging the Gap – An Introduction to Intercultural Communication with China (LID Publishing), which won the Business Book Awards 2025 – Specialist Business Book. This work has positioned her as a leading voice in equipping business leaders, policymakers, and educators with practical strategies to engage with China confidently and effectively. She is also the author of widely used textbooks, including China Ready! and Mastering Chinese – A Complete Course for Beginners.

As a consultant and advisor, Catherine works with high-profile businesses and institutions seeking to navigate the Chinese market, drawing on her expertise in Chinese communication, business etiquette, and relationship-building practices. She also speaks globally on intercultural leadership, East–West dialogue, and the future of education in an AI-driven world.