On October 20, 2026, a delegation from Macmillan Education visited Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP). The delegation included Christian Staral, Managing Director; Emma Bourne, Managing Director Curriculum; and Christine Zhu, Regional Director Asia.
Wang Fang, Secretary of the CPC Committee of FLTRP Group, Chair of the Board of FLTRP Group, and President of FLTRP, met with the delegation and held a working meeting. The meeting was chaired by Peng Donglin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of FLTRP, and attended by Zhang Lixin, Managing Director of Basic Education Publishing Department; Shao Lei, Director of International Cooperation Department; and Zhang Wen, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department.
Wang Fang extended a warm welcome to the delegation, particularly to Staral on his first visit to FLTRP, and expressed sincere gratitude to Bourne for her years of dedication to advancing the partnership. She briefly introduced FLTRP’s business development and operating performance in fiscal year 2026. She noted that, although the industry is under stress, FLTRP has maintained steady growth, owing to sustained investment in digital transformation in recent years. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). FLTRP has shifted its development philosophy from “digitalize wherever possible and integrate print with digital” under the 14th Five-Year Plan to “digital intelligence first, with digital and print integrated” for the 15th — a change that signals a fundamental move toward a digital-first, intelligence-driven approach. FLTRP is also advancing its internationalization strategy. Its flagship international Chinese-language product, the New HSK Course, has been launched in more than 10 countries, while its international education services, including study tours, training programs and vocational education cooperation are progressing steadily.
Wang Fang said that FLTRP and Macmillan Education have been partners for nearly three decades, building a deep strategic partnership whose breadth and variety are exceptional in the industry. Products developed jointly by the two organizations, including the New Standard English series, Light Up Science, Skillful, and Discover China, have benefited hundreds of millions of learners in China and beyond. She expressed hope that the two organizations would continue to expand the scope of their cooperation and provide teachers and students with even higher-quality educational resources and learning experiences.
Staral thanked FLTRP for the trust it has long placed in Macmillan Education. He outlined Macmillan Education's latest initiatives. The company is integrating AI more deeply into teaching and learning, exploring how AI can support content development and personalized learning, and using technological innovation to improve the quality of its educational publishing and to enhance operational efficiency. He described FLTRP as Macmillan's most important partner. Both organizations share a strong commitment to educational quality. He looked forward to exploring new paths with FLTRP for educational publishing in the digital and AI era and to taking the partnership to the next level.
Bourne noted that she would step down at the end of this year. She expressed deep gratitude for the friendship built over years of working with FLTRP, and spoke of her deep trust in the partnership. Describing the New Standard English series as the cornerstone of the FLTRP-Macmillan partnership, she voiced sincere admiration and gratitude for FLTRP's extensive work in marketing and market-oriented digital transformation. She added that Macmillan would continue to work side by side with FLTRP to achieve further success with New Standard English and in other areas of cooperation.
During the meeting, Zhang Lixin gave a detailed presentation on the New Standard English series, covering its development history, revision process, awards and honors, market performance, teacher training and researching support, and digital resources. The two sides also exchanged views on industry policy, international market expansion, the latest AI applications in educational publishing, and the promotion of international Chinese-language products.
