University of Birmingham launches new China Institute

The University of Birmingham's China Institute celebrates its official opening today in the presence of His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UK. The creation of the China Institute on the University's Edgbaston campus reflects and facilitates its extensive links with China. The history of collaboration between China and the University spans over 100 years and last year it opened its most significant engagement in the country to date - the University of Birmingham Guangzhou Centre. Following the opening ceremony, Professor Frank Zhao (Zhao Fuquan), the Vice President of Geely Holdings China will present the inaugural China Institute guest lecture on 'The China Automotive Industry - Today and Tomorrow'. The lecture will give an insight into the rapidly growing Chinese automotive sector and the opportunities and challenges it faces. The China Institute will provide an umbrella structure for the numerous China interests on the Edgbaston campus. Its activities will include coordinating an annual lecture series to promote a greater understanding of China and its place in the world, hosting incoming visits from Chinese partners, providing a central source for information on the University's engagement with China, and encouraging inter-disciplinary research across campus that focuses on China.