Chinese profs in UK look to build bridges

Number of academics from China working in British colleges continues to grow

About 150 Chinese academics and professors working at top British universities gathered at the Chinese embassy in London on Feb 26 to celebrate the Chinese New Year, where they agreed to facilitate and enhance UK-China cooperation in the educational and research sectors.

Professor G.Q. Max Lu, vice-chancellor of the University of Surrey, told Xinhua that overseas Chinese academics should give full play to their advantages to promote exchanges between China and the West.

Lu joined Surrey university as president and vice-chancellor in 2016, becoming the first Chinese principal in the history of British higher education.

Born to a poor Chinese family in northern China, he was afforded the opportunity to travel abroad and study as China's process of reform and opening up began in the late 1970s.

"University education changed my life," he said. "I believe every academic present here today can help change young people's lives, and even the whole world, through their teaching and study.

"We are the lucky ones in this great era, and we are the beneficiaries of China's reform and opening up. We should do our best to work as a bridge and ambassadors for exchange between China and the West."

There are currently more than 6,000 Chinese scholars working in more than 150 British universities, with over 500 professors and a number of fellows, says Wang Yongli, minister counselor for education at the Chinese embassy in London. But just 20 years ago, it was hard to find even one Chinese professor working in the UK, says Wang.

Chinese ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming hailed the professors' academic achievements in the UK, adding that he hoped they would continue to contribute to the development of China and enhance China-UK educational cooperation.

He encouraged Chinese academics in Britain to continue fostering young talent, promote the establishment of innovative science and technology centers, build joint laboratories, conduct cutting-edge scientific research and participate in China's national talent projects.