On 19 March, a group of Chinese Liberal Democrats travelled from London and Birmingham to Cirencester for a day of action in support of Councillor Tatyan Cheung.

We went canvassing in the village of Bibury, once described by William Morris as "the most beautiful village in England" and had a really successful day.

Whilst researching this subject, I couldn't help thinking that here were the ingredients ripe for the design of a board game. It could be something of a cross between "Diplomacy" and "Vendée Globe"?

Each player representing a country of choice could set its mission and collaborate with other players to achieve their desired outcomes. Chance cards might include whether, say, an international tribunal has decided in their favour. And tokens could be earned along the way to enable them to reclaim rocks and reefs, build air strips or even patrol the islands with clone submarines?

As someone fascinated by the Central Asian countries, I was delighted when the All Party Parliamentary Group for China (APPCG) organised a talk this week by Peter Frankopan, author of "The Silk Roads - A New History of the World".

"The Silk Roads are rising again", said Richard Graham MP, Chair of APPCG at the end of a fulsome introduction of the Oxford University historian. Yet, there are not many other Parliamentarians, let alone the British public, who are in tune with the zeitgeist.

Will Cheung is a British Born Chinese member of the Liberal Democrats in Northamptonshire (Corby & East Northamptonshire constituency). He is a relative newcomer to political activism, after finding interest in the wake of Hong Kong's "Umbrella Revolution" protests of 2014. The EU membership referendum result spurred Will to pro-EU activism and subsequently joining the Liberal Democrats. He describes his motivation for joining the Liberal Democrats as a means to get involved with communities, putting into practice resisting the politics of extremism.

The Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Falkner chaired a discussion on 8th February on the demise of Hong Kong's political freedoms since the transfer of its sovereignty to China. The event was organised by the Henry Jackson Society at the Palace of Westminster.

The speakers were Joshua Wong (a Hong Kong student and co-founder of the political party Demosisto), Angela Gui (daughter of detained publisher Gui Minhai) and Benedict Rogers (Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission).

Sarah calls herself a "post-Brexit newbie" and like many others that joined the Liberal Democrats after the EU Referendum last June, felt she could no longer just sit by the sidelines. On joining the party she found a warm welcome from her local South Cambridgeshire team and was soon asked to stand for County Council as a candidate for her local division, Longstanton, Northstowe & Over.

Marguerita is.passionate about improving the lives of all residents of Tunbridge Wells because she understands how life can be a struggle against poverty, discrimination and injustices. She came to Tunbridge Wells as an 11 year old with her parents from Macao for a better education and prospects. It was her parents she says who taught her the value of education, hard work, and the importance of a loving family.

It was the first time that Chinese Liberal Democrats held a Chinese New Year event at the National Liberal Club and a first too for the Club to celebrate the Lunar New Year (since its founding by William Gladstone in 1882)! The event was by all accounts a resounding success.

Never had the Club witnessed the likes of a Chinese lion dance accompanied by the sounds of drums and cymbals, as the Imperial College Lion Dance team kicked off the evening with a spectacular performance. A prancing lion led the way from the foyer up the grand marble staircase to the first floor members' bar and finally to the magnificent David Lloyd George Room where dinner for over 100 guests was served.

Chinese communities across London and England have been ushering in the Year of the Rooster early this year.

The first to kick off their celebrations was Camden Chinese Community Centre (CCCC) on Sunday 22 January with a spectacular variety show with lion dance, martial arts and Chinese opera performances.

"Dear Friends

I would like to wish you all a Happy Lunar New Year. May it bring good fortune to you, your family and your loved ones.

The Chinese community plays a treasured role in British society, as well as in our economy. I hope the Liberal Democrats can further facilitate this positive relationship in the year head.