On 18 July 2023, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang visited the University of Leeds and met with President and Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Simone Buitendijk.

Ambassador Zheng noted that the University of Leeds, with a history of nearly 120 years, is one of the founding members of the prestigious Russell Group in the UK and renowned around the world for its strong teaching and research capabilities, which now hosts nearly 6,000 Chinese students. Ambassador Zheng expressed thanks to the University for its long-standing care and support for Chinese students studying there and said that the University’s exchanges and practical cooperation with several Chinese “Double First-Class” universities in recent years has benefited both sides. Ambassador Zheng noted that the University has been actively involved in China studies and Chinese language teaching, playing a significant role in enhancing British society’s understanding of China.

Ambassador Zheng noted that the Chinese people are now going all out to promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the Chinese path to modernisation and that China highly values education, science and technology, and human resource and is committed to the opening-up of the education sector. Ambassador Zheng expressed hope that the University of Leeds will keep at the forefront of cooperation with China and further strengthen exchanges and collaboration with Chinese universities for mutual complementarity and win-win results. Ambassador Zheng welcomed the faculty and students of the University to come to China for in-depth engagement and exchanges.

Professor Buitendijk warmly welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his delegation to visit the University of Leeds for the first time, noting that the University has a long history of cooperation with China and that she is proud of the fruitful collaboration between the two sides. She praised Chinese students and teachers studying and teaching at the university for their hard work and outstanding performances and said that the University will uphold the spirit of diversity and openness, continuously deepen academic exchanges and cooperation with Chinese universities. She expressed hope that more outstanding students from both the UK and China will go to study in each other’s countries to build mutual understanding and mutual learning between the youth of the two countries.

Ambassador Zheng also met with representatives of Chinese students studying at the University and watched a wonderful performance presented by the students and teachers of the Confucius Institute. Consul-General Tang Rui at the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester and Counselor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, were also present at the event.