On January 30, during his visit to Shanghai, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer toured the historic Yuyuan Garden, a landmark with more than 450 years of history. Grab a crispy palmier and take a leisurely stroll along the Nine-Turn Bridge. When he reached the Mid-Lake Pavilion, he stepped into the “No.1 Teahouse on the Sea”, where a special surprise awaited him a series of themed lanterns designed by students from Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation (SCF) of Donghua University.

During the visit to the Huxin Pavilion, SCF students presented lantern works that creatively combine traditional Chinese craftsmanship with iconic British cultural elements. Student representatives Elaina, Stephanie, Vivian, and Edison introduced the design concepts and artistic details of the works to Prime Minister Starmer.

The lanterns showcase a clever East-meets-West concept. On one side, iconic British landmarks such as the red double-decker bus, Battersea Power Station, the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and the Giant’s Causeway are arranged in a playful, staggered layout. A flowing pattern symbolising the Huangpu and Thames rivers links these elements, as if the two rivers are meeting across continents. On the other side, a lantern modelled on Larry, the “Chief Mouser” of 10 Downing Street, charms visitors with its endearing expression, immediately catching Starmer’s attention. “The Prime Minister really liked this cat lantern and even joked that he wanted to take it back to the UK,” SCF student Li Xinwei revealed with a smile. Another highlight is the horse-head lantern adorned with traditional Scottish tartan. “This year is the Year of the Horse, so we specially designed this horse head and incorporated British elements, making the blessing even more heartfelt,” Li added.

At the event, students shared the intricate details of their lantern designs — from the selection of landmarks and the integration of patterns to the symbolic linking of the two rivers. Their words were simple yet heartfelt. They also reflected on their experiences in cross-cultural courses, describing how ideas sparked and collided in the process of Anglo-Chinese collaborative design, their eyes shining with enthusiasm.

“We hope to build an invisible bridge through the language of design,” said SCF student Dai Chenyue, gently tracing the carved railings on the lantern display as she explained the inspiration behind the creation. “The Huangpu River is the pulse of Shanghai, the Thames is the soul of London. We used bamboo strips to outline the river curves, translucent fabric to simulate water ripples, and combined familiar British symbols — such as Larry the cat and the double-decker bus — with the Year of the Horse and traditional cloud patterns. Every detail carries the hope of ‘crossing mountains and seas, thriving together.’” To ensure a seamless integration of Scottish tartan with traditional Chinese patterns, the team consulted dozens of pattern references and sought guidance from their British mentors at the school, finding a balance through the collision of Chinese and British design thinking.

SCF has previously received the China–Scotland Business Award in recognition of its achievements in advancing high-quality educational cooperation between China and the United Kingdom. University representatives noted that the college serves as a model for nurturing internationally minded young professionals in fashion, design, and the wider creative industries.

As evening fell and the festive lanterns of Yuyuan Garden gradually illuminated the night, the glowing designs—featuring British landmarks, flowing river motifs, playful cat figures, and symbolic horse elements—came vividly to life. This spontaneous cultural encounter, free from formal speeches, allowed the warmth of Sino-British cultural exchange to unfold naturally through conversation and shared appreciation.

With just a pair of scissors, a few strips of bamboo, and a touch of interdisciplinary creativity, SCF students have woven a friendship that spans oceans and continents, turning the Lunar New Year lanterns at Yuyuan Garden into a vivid testament to cultural exchange and educational collaboration between the two countries.