On 20^th April 2023, Lancaster University Confucius Institute Student Ambassador Cameron Patterson performed the poem ‘Drinking by the Lake: Clear Sky at First, then Rain’ by Su Shi at the United Nations in Geneva as part of the Chinese Language Day celebrations. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva, the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and Zhejiang University.

The performance was part of the Retrospective Exhibition on the occasion of the United Nations Chinese Language Day: Paintings of the Song Dynasty from the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings Through Ages.

The day consisted of a string quartet reinterpretation of "Tea-picking Dance," followed by a performance of "Prelude to Water Melody" by German mezzo-soprano Eva Wennige, accompanied by the ancient Chinese instruments Guqin and Harp.

Over 200 attendees, including Ambassadors and members of the United Nations international organisations participated in tea-picking, calligraphy and fan painting.

Cameron has a strong enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture, performing at various events over the years.

‘Cameron speaks Chinese with a fluency that surpasses many native speakers. His success shows how Chinese language fluency can open up doors for exciting opportunities. Learning Chinese language is no easy feat, and taking the time to develop fluency and proficiency in that language is an amazing accomplishment. Cameron is an incredible talent and an inspiration to those who are learning Chinese.’ – Professor Jinghan Zeng, Lancaster University Confucius Institute Director

Cameron is currently studying in the Space and Planetary Physics Group as a PhD student at Lancaster University.Cameron has frequently joined Lancaster University Confucius Institute Chinese language activities for many years, including Chinese club.

In 2015, Cameron represented Lancaster University Confucius Institute at the Chinese Bridge proficiency competition, winning Chinese Bridge European Champion and World Second Place at the global final.He also has long-standing ties to China, having moved there at the age of eight, and spending most of his childhood and teenage life living and studying in cities across China.