Join us for a talk by social commentator and author, Lijia Zhang, followed by dinner with the Chopsticks Club.

From state-controlled rocket factory worker in Beijing to the sublime colleges of the University of Oxford, Lijia recognised at a young age that education and the English language would be her ticket to economic and personal freedoms.

The Beijing-based writer was inspired by the secret life of her grandmother to look deeper into China's massive underground sex industry. She will talk about how she gained insight into the trade which formed the basis of her debut novel, Lotus - a story of a young migrant-worker-turned-prostitute - as she carves out a life for herself in Shenzhen, China's 'City of Sins'. In addition to some fascinating and colourful anecdotes, Lijia will discuss migration, urban-rural divide, the deeply-flawed current legal system tasked with managing social problems - such as custody and education - and the role of women in China's modern reform era.

BOOK SIGNING: A small number of signed copies of LOTUS will be available to purchase on the night. Cash only @ £20.

The evening will be in two distinct parts:

1. Talk by Lijia Zhang chaired by H-J Colston, Joint CEO, Chopsticks Club. £12

The doors will open at 5:45pm and the talk will start at 6:15pm

2. Dinner: Continue the conversation with the Chopsticks Club over dinner at the Golden Phoenix, 37-38 Gerrard Street. Dinner to start at 7.45pm. Dining tickets available here [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/21st-century-china-its-women-a-conversation-with-lijia-zhang-tickets-33818083799].