On Sept. 20, 2018, Mr. Zheng Xiyuan, Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Manchester, met with Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester. Also present at the meeting were Professor Peter Gries, Director of Manchester China Institute, Professor Wang Zhongdong, and Ms. Tanya Luff, Head of International Relation.
Mr. Zheng hoped that, as one of the best universities in the UK, the University of Manchester would draw more resources to further strengthen cultural collaboration with China on top of the existing cooperation. Mr. Zheng had an in-depth discussion with Professor Dame Rothwell on issues such as campus security, overseas student scholarships, campus traffic and catering, curriculum design, post study worker visa applications, and students' psychological counseling services. Zheng stressed that there are about 6,000 Chinese students in the University. These students will be the bridge of the two countries and will play an important role in the relationship between China and the UK. The Consulate-general will work with the University to develop a better environment for overseas students.
Rothwell briefed Mr. Zheng of the collaboration between the University and Chinese cities and universities. She said that she is expecting to have her third visit to China this year. She is deeply impressed by China's fast development and she said that the University wishes to strengthen the cooperation with China. To address the suggestions of the Consulate-general and Chinese students, she said that the University will introduce measures for students' psychological intervention and will try to solve the problems in campus security. The University will assign a specific person to discuss in detail with the Consulate-general to establish a long-term cooperative communication mechanism.
It is well known that certain key scientific and technological achievements of the last century such as nuclear discovery, aircraft engine development, and the invention of the first computer working prototype were made in the University of Manchester. The teaching quality is among the top universities in the annual global university ranking. Alumna include 25 Nobel Prize laureates and numerous international celebrities.
