Mr. China’s Great Enterprise: Tim Clissold and the Fight for a Chinese Civilisation A-level

The West faces a critical "knowledge gap" regarding China, leaving it strategically vulnerable and unable to effectively compete or cooperate in an era where China is no longer merely a follower of Western modernity. Tim Clissold, author of *Teach the People*, argues that Western nations must adopt a more rigorous, long-term approach to understanding Chinese history and civilization, similar to how late Qing intellectuals sought to learn from the West. Current educational systems, particularly in the UK, fail to prepare future leaders by focusing narrowly on language proficiency rather than deep cultural literacy. By implementing a dedicated A-level curriculum in Chinese Civilization, the West could better navigate structural challenges like energy transitions and industrial policy, moving beyond the current cycle of moral panic and reactive policymaking toward a more informed, pragmatic engagement with China’s rise.