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Coronavirus pandemic
ChinaDiplomacy

Coronavirus: UK ambassador to China marks bond with Wuhan amid pandemic observances and university ceremony

  • Manchester Metropolitan University, from Wuhan’s sister city, will launch a joint institute with Hubei University next year
  • Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang calls on Britain for continued cooperation in trade, culture, science and the creative industries

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Manchester Metropolitan University’s new HQ in Wuhan, Hubei province, was opened by the British Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson. Photo: Handout
William Langley
The British ambassador to China officiated the opening of new Chinese headquarters in Wuhan for Manchester Metropolitan University on Tuesday, as the city marked one year since the first coronavirus infections were reported.

The university’s vice chancellor, Professor Malcolm Press, said the university was focused on “tremendous opportunities in Wuhan”, where it would launch a joint institute with Hubei University next year.

The joint institute will launch one masters and three undergraduate programmes – all in the fields of science and engineering – for Chinese students in Wuhan.

Manchester Metropolitan University has had its Chinese base at Wuhan since June 2019 and its new premises next to the British consulate would help the university enhance its ties in China and promote study opportunities for Chinese students in Manchester, a university spokesman said. Manchester has been a sister city to Wuhan since 1986.

Revenue from British education exports reached £21.4 billion (US$28.8 billion) in 2017, according to the British Department for Education. China – where British universities run 229 joint degree programmes – is a major market.

According to the British Council, China sends nearly 108,000 students to study at British universities a year, more than the rest of the European Union combined. Roughly 41,000 Chinese students are also enrolled in British degree programmes in China.

Caroline Wilson, who took up her post as ambassador in September, presided over the opening ceremony during a two-day tour of the city.
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