Newsroom University of Manchester

Confucius Institute marks 20th anniversary co-hosting prestigious Chinese language teaching conference

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:46:52 +0100

The Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester was honoured to co-host the 23rd International Conference on Teaching and Learning Chinese in Higher Education with the British Chinese Language Teaching Society (BCLTS) and Beijing Normal University (BNU) in Manchester on 9–10 July 2026.

Themed “International Chinese Language Education in a Digital and Global Era: Innovation, Collaboration and Future Directions”, the conference brought nearly 100 delegates from the UK, Europe, the USA, China and Malaysia to campus. Marking the Confucius Institute’s 20th anniversary, the event opened with a welcome by CI Academic Director and University of Manchester Professor Deljana Iossifova, followed by remarks from Chinese Consul General Tang Rui; Chair of the Universities’ China Committee in London, Dr Derek Hird; CLEC representative Ms Zhang Qian; Dean Feng Liping from BNU and BCLTS Chair Dr Yu Gu.

Following the opening ceremony, delegates welcomed the first keynote speaker, Professor Feng Liping from BNU. Professor Feng’s address examined how digital and AI tools are reshaping teaching and learning models. Over the course of two days, three further keynote speeches anchored the programme, delivered by experts from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Seton Hall University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The audience gained valuable insights into themes such as the classification of language cues and their effect on second language acquisition, digital humanities-informed project-based teaching models, and lessons from the rapid growth of Mandarin teaching in UK schools.

Alongside the keynotes, parallel sessions were delivered by nearly 60 speakers from leading institutions in the UK, China and the USA. Topics ranged from grammar, pedagogy and young learners to AI and technology-enhanced learning. Particular attention was paid to how generative AI is opening new possibilities and raising new questions for Chinese language teaching.

A collaboration between BCLTS, BNU and the Confucius Institute, the conference celebrated partnership and scholarship, offering a glimpse of the next chapter in advancing Chinese language teaching, research and cultural exchange across the UK.

The University of Manchester becomes lead UK-based coordinating institution for UK-China Humanities Alliance

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:27:54 +0000

The University of Manchester has been appointed as the UK-based Coordinating Team for the UK China Humanities Alliance for Higher Education (UKCHA), a unique forum of ten British and seven Chinese universities with outstanding reputations in the Arts and Humanities.

The Secretariat is housed at the Institute for World Literatures and Cultures (IWLC), Tsinghua University where the Dean of IWLC, Prof YAN Haiping, serves as the Director of the Executive Council and the Secretary-General and Prof YANG Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, serves as the Chair of the Alliance. The University of Manchester will coordinate UK-based activities and work closely with the British Council to support UK-China Humanities collaborations.

The announcement was made at the UKCHA Executive Council on 7 December 2025. The President of the UKCHA, Professor Yang Bin welcomed the University of Manchester as the new UK-based Coordinating Team, following a recommendation from Deputy Director, Professor Wong Suk Ying (Chinese University of Hong Kong) and the endorsement of Professor Yan Haiping.

She added: “Separate from the UKCHA, the University of Manchester has research partnerships with Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Wuhan University and Chinese University of Hong Kong. Becoming the lead UK-based Coordinating Team reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting high quality, impactful research between world-leading Humanities academics.”

Established in 2016, The UKCHA’s aim is to intensify international cooperation in Humanities. This includes joint work on research and publication, staff and research exchanges, and connections with specialist arts and cultural institutions.

The announcement has been made as part of a high-level delegation from The University of Manchester to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Led by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor and including a delegation of academic and university staff, the visit is connecting with alumni, donors, partners and universities.

The visits are in conjunction with the University of Manchester China Centre and the East Asia Centre, based in Hong Kong and will also include a graduation ceremony in Shanghai and launch events for the University’s fundraising and volunteering campaign, Challenge Accepted.

Reluctance to rely on China for green technology could slow climate action

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

New research suggests that concerns about relying too heavily on Chinese manufacturing are shaping climate policy - and could even delay the adoption of green technologies around the world.

The study by Dr James Jackson from The University of Manchester, working alongside Dr Mathias Larsen from the London School of Economics, examined how China’s rapid rise as a clean-technology powerhouse has transformed the global energy transition.

While Chinese investment and industrial policy have helped reduce the cost of renewable energy technologies, the research - published in the journal Climate Policy - found that geopolitical tensions are increasingly influencing how governments respond.

For households and businesses, the impact of China’s manufacturing boom has been clear - solar panels, electric vehicle batteries and other low-carbon technologies are far cheaper than they were a decade ago. According to the researchers, this is partly because China has built enormous production capacity through long-term industrial planning, state investment and support for domestic manufacturers.

Those policies helped create the global supply chains that many countries now rely on to roll out renewable energy systems, making the technologies needed for climate action more accessible worldwide - but the study argues that this success has also created new political tensions.

As Chinese firms dominate key sectors of the clean technology economy, governments elsewhere are increasingly concerned about dependence on overseas supply chains for critical infrastructure. Solar panels on rooftops, batteries in electric cars and components used in renewable energy systems often trace back to factories in China.

According to the researchers, this has changed how climate policy is debated. Instead of focusing only on environmental targets, policymakers are also asking where the industries of the green transition will be located - and which countries will benefit economically.

The result is a push in some countries to build domestic clean technology industries, including batteries and electric vehicles. Governments in Europe and North America are investing heavily in new factories and supply chains to try to compete with China’s industrial strength.

While these policies aim to boost economic security and protect local jobs, they can also create tensions in climate policy. Producing technologies domestically can be more expensive and slower than importing them from established global suppliers, creating a difficult balancing act.

“The fastest way to cut emissions may be to deploy the cheapest technologies available, many of which are produced in China - however, political pressure to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing may encourage governments to prioritise local production, even if this delays deployment” said Dr Jackson. “As the world works to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, the success of climate action may depend not only on technological innovation, but also on how countries manage growing competition over the industries that power the transition.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2026.2640257

Remembering Dr Lee Kai Hung CBE DL 1935 – 2025

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:27:55 +0000

“If there is no dialogue, there is no understanding

If there is no understanding, there is no trust

If there is no trust, there is no harmony

If there is no harmony, there is no peace”

~Dr Lee Kai Hung~

It is with deep sadness that we have learnt about the passing of Dr Lee Kai Hung CBE DL, a close friend, wise advisor and Honorary Graduate of The University of Manchester. Dr Lee was an extraordinary person who strongly believed in the transformative power of friendship. His quiet determination and personal values focused on strengthening trust and understanding across cultures.

Dr Lee played a critical role in shaping two of the University’s most significant cultural and educational institutions – Manchester Museum’s Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery and the Manchester China Institute - hubs of connection and understanding on both local and global levels. His generosity and vision brought to life spaces that celebrate dialogue, curiosity and the rich stories that connect people.

What he created and inspired here has touched many hearts and will continue to elevate the experiences of students, staff and communities. His enduring legacy will spark ideas, build trust and encourage compassion for generations to come.

A member of the Langworthy Circle of Benefactors, Dr Lee was recognised as one of the University’s most visionary supporters. His unwavering values and remarkable generosity have left a lasting impact on the University, the city of Manchester and beyond. His philanthropy shaped the University’s identity, strengthened the community and created new student experiences.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said:

“Dr Lee’s vision left an enduring impact on The University of Manchester, the city and the wider community. He understood the unique power of education, culture and dialogue to bring people together with peace and empathy. We will honour his life and his values through the work of the Dr Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery and the Manchester China Institute – institutions that foster understanding between the UK and China, deepen connection between people and enrich students’ experiences. We are profoundly grateful for Dr Lee’s friendship and we will remember him with deep respect for his ambition for a more harmonious and inclusive world.”

On behalf of the entire University community, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Dr Lee’s family and friends, and our lasting gratitude for Dr Lee’s friendship and partnership.

Why China’s central bank is quietly leading the world on climate action

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:04:20 +0000

While Western central banks such as the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve often talk about the dangers of climate change, new research has shown that China’s central bank is the only one that has actually taken major, concrete steps to shift money toward green industries.

The findings come from an in-depth project led by Dr James Jackson from The University of Manchester and Mathias Larsen from London School of Economics (LSE).

Their research - which has been published by LSE’s Grantham Research Institute - involved 93 interviews across China’s financial system, including with staff inside the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), the country’s central bank.

Their conclusion is striking: China’s central bank isn’t independent from its government, and this may be the key reason it has been able to act faster and more boldly on climate change than its Western counterparts.

“There’s a common belief that central banks should stay out of politics and focus only on inflation. But climate change affects everything including food prices, energy bills and economic stability,” said Dr Jackson.

The study found that the PBoC uses its financial tools in very practical ways to support China’s green industries. For example, it offers cheaper loans for renewable energy projects and allows banks to borrow more easily when they invest in approved green sectors. Since 2021, one programme alone has supported more than £120 billion in green lending.

By contrast, the Bank of England and European Central Bank have focused mainly on encouraging banks to think about climate risk, rather than shifting financial markets directly. The researchers describe this as an “indirect” approach that has little real-world impact.

What makes the Chinese case unique is how the government sets the direction - such as its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 - and then expects the central bank to help deliver it. The PBoC still has technical freedom to design its own tools, but its mission is clear. One PBoC staff member told the researchers: “The government sets the goal. We decide how to get there.”

Dr Jackson says this offers an important lesson for the climate era. “We’re not saying countries should copy China’s political system, but we are saying that central banks around the world may need to rethink how they work with governments. In order to tackle climate change and adapt to its impacts, we need financial systems that can move quickly - not slowly.”

Research on Racial Bias Bears Fruit

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 09:30:00 +0100

Global public attitudes towards China deteriorated dramatically after a local COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan escalated into a global pandemic in 2020. Protesting a perceived increase in hate incidents targeting Asians in general and Chinese people in particular, #StopAsianHate demonstrations began in the US in 2021.

To combat such hate crimes, researchers at the Manchester China Institute (MCI) have been exploring racial stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination directed towards Chinese people.

In a 2021 article for Asian Survey, “Chinese Pride and European Prejudice: How Growing Resentment of China Cools Feelings toward Chinese in Europe”, MCI Director Peter Gries and his Czech colleague Richard Turcsányi drew on theories of prejudice and ideology to explore whether increasingly negative attitudes toward Chinese government policies during COVID prejudiced European views of local Chinese students, tourists, and communities. They found substantial evidence of a spillover effect, an effect which was stronger among conservative Europeans than among progressive Europeans more motivated to avoid prejudice. Peter discusses this research in a video interview here.

Years of hard work by Manchester China Institute postdoctoral researchers have more recently paid dividends, with three publications in top psychology and China studies journals in 2024-25.

In a 2024 British Journal of Social Psychology article, “Intersectional Race-Gender Stereotypes in Natural Language”, former MCI postdoc Bruce Bao and Peter Gries use AI and Big Data to explore how stereotypes about Asian and Black men and women are naturally expressed in real life. They found that Asian men (but not women) are stereotyped as less masculine and less moral/trustworthy than Black men. These emasculating stereotypes about Asian men (as low in physical strength) may have encouraged anger and opportunistic aggression against them during COVID. Bruce and Peter discuss their research on intersectional race-gender stereotypes in this video.

In a 2025 British Journal of Social Psychology article, “The White Gaze in Racial Stereotype Research: Sample Bias and its Consequences”, former MCI postdocs Cong Peng and Paton Yam and MCI Director Gries explored how its reliance upon White subjects biases existing research on racial stereotypes in social psychology. Combining insights from the Stereotype Content Model and Gendered-race Theory, they found both similarities and differences in how racial groups perceive each other. Asians were consistently seen as more competent but less athletic, while Blacks were seen as more athletic but less competent. Whites fell between these poles. But each group differed in viewing their own race as warmer than other races, suggesting ingroup favouritism. This research demonstrates that diverse racial samples are needed for a less Eurocentric and more accurate understanding of racial stereotypes.

Cong later wrote about the research:

Finally and most recently, in a 2025 China Quarterly research report, “Biases about Chinese People in English Language Use: Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination”, Bruce Bao & Peter Gries, again using AI and Big Data, explored the nature of attitudinal bias about Chinese people in the Anglophone world today. They found relative semantic associations between Chinese people and (1) cognitive stereotypes of low warmth (less moral/trustworthy and less sociable/friendly) and somewhat low competence (less assertive/dominant but equally capable/ intelligent); (2) affective prejudice of contempt (vs admiration); and (3) behavioural discrimination of active/passive harm (vs help/cooperation). These findings provide a social psychological framework for practitioners and policymakers to reduce anti-Chinese bias and hate crimes in the real world.

MCI advances research excellence in China studies across the Humanities at UoM. Impact and equality are central to MCI’s research mission. To foster socially responsible research with impact beyond academia, MCI champions knowledge production and exchange. And MCI seeks to create a more equal world, incubating research on racial, gender, economic, and other inequalities both within China and between China and the world.

Student Friendship Programme recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Social Responsibility

Thu, 22 May 2025 12:47:39 +0100

Held on Thursday, 8 May, the annual awards ceremony celebrates the efforts of staff, students, alumni, and external partners who are advancing the University’s commitment to social responsibility. Hosted by President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison and Chancellor Nazir Afzal, this year’s event recognised 14 winners and 23 highly commended entries out of 130 submissions across diverse categories such as environmental sustainability, alumni contribution, widening participation, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

In his address, Professor Ivison reflected on the breadth of impact across the University:

The award-winning Student Friendship Programme was established in 2021 by the Manchester China Institute (MCI) in partnership with the Manchester China Forum. With nearly 9,000 Chinese students currently studying on campus, it seeks to enhance the student experience by fostering meaningful connections between home and international students.

Recognising the social and cultural separation that can exist between student groups, the programme promotes cross-cultural understanding through intercultural events, wellbeing sessions, and community engagement initiatives. In doing so, it addresses broader issues of cultural, racial, and political divides, contributing significantly to the University’s strategic goals around inclusion and global engagement.

The success of the Student Friendship Programme is a credit to the dedication of its organising team: Lorelei Baciu, Yannan Yu, Nasira Asghar, Jake Ruding, Sol Stappard, Halia Zhang, Prof. Peter Gries, and Yunyang Xia, who collaborate to constantly improve the scheme and deliver high-quality events for our students.

The ceremony was live streamed on YouTube, and you can watch the full event online. Our team’s recognition can be viewed between 01:06:50 and 01:08:10 of the recording. Similarly, a full list of all the winners and highly commended entrants is available on the University’s Social Responsibility website.

Dr Sha Zhou publishes on British Chinese caterers and anti-Chinese racism during the COVID-19 pandemic

Wed, 21 May 2025 15:52:42 +0100

The article, published in The History of the Family, employs an oral history methodology to examine how the pandemic affected caterers’ businesses and personal lives.

Drawing from rich first-hand narratives, Dr Zhou argues that British Chinese caterers faced a dual crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Economic,
Operational (shifting to takeaway and online services due to lockdown restrictions).

They also suffered emotional distress stemming from a surge in anti-Chinese racism. In response to COVID-19 restrictions and rising operational costs, Chinese caterers demonstrated resilience by utilising transnational ties and by raising food prices. The oral histories captured their frustration with the government’s handling of the pandemic, underscoring the broader inequalities experienced by ethnic minorities during the pandemic.

Dr Zhou's longstanding interest in British Chinese history underpins her research. She holds a PhD in Contemporary British History from King’s College London, with a dissertation focused on how Chinese migrant women shaped the British Chinese community through their migration, labour, caregiving and community engagement in post-war Britain. Her current research at MCI continues this trajectory, examining the interplay between state intervention, municipal politics and Chinese grassroots activism in 1980s Britain.

The COVID-19 pandemic broke out during Sha’s final doctoral year, triggering a global surge in anti-Chinese hostility. Witnessing this unfold in real time made Dr Zhou feel a strong sense of responsibility towards documenting Chinese voices and experiences. She went on to volunteer for the Life in the Time of Corona project initiated by the Ming Ai Institute in 2020-21. In 2022, drawing on interviews of this project, Sha presented a paper on the experiences of Chinese caterers in Britain at the International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas conference, which inspired the current article. Dr Zhou’s overarching aim is to demonstrate that contemporary racial prejudices are not isolated phenomena but connected to long-standing narratives and stereotypes that have evolved over time.

The study employs a qualitative approach, combining oral history interviews with analysis of government reports and media coverage. This methodology enabled Dr Zhou to explore how Chinese caterers experienced the pandemic not only as a public health and economic crisis, but also as a racialised event. Integrating personal narratives with documentary sources offered a multidimensional understanding of how racialised assumptions shape responses to crisis in Britain. Ultimately, the article highlights the urgency of documenting everyday pandemic experiences and challenges the notion that anti-Chinese racism is an isolated incident.

Read the full open access article.

Explore the oral history project: Life in the Time of Corona. Launched by the Ming-Ai Institute in London, it features 50 interviews with members of the British Chinese community across gender, region, generation, and occupation.

The 2025 UK-China Photo Awards Ceremony and Exhibition Launch: Capturing the Spirit of Sports and Celebrating Our Common Humanity

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:55:20 +0100

Launched on Wednesday, 7 May, the exhibition is a joint initiative of the Manchester China Institute (MCI), the University of Manchester’s School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures (SALC), and Creative Manchester, with support from Yunnan University and Henan Technology University. It features the top entries from the 2025 UK-China International Photography Competition.

Now on display in the AMBS foyer, the exhibition showcases 30 outstanding photographs, each accompanied by bilingual short stories that provide personal context and cultural depth, centred around this year’s theme: The Spirit of Sports.

The competition attracted several hundred smartphone entries from residents of both the UK and China. The finalists and winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of:

Rory Underwood – England Rugby Union legend (& British-Malay/Chinese).
Xiaolu Guo – Award-winning British-Chinese author and filmmaker.
Prof Michael Wood – Historian, broadcaster, and University of Manchester Professor.
Krizia Li, MBA – Fonder & CEO at Vermillion: Asian art + design.
Dr Zhang Hai – Research Director, Center for Visual Anthropology, Yunnan University.

The winning photos were unveiled at the launch event by MCI Research Director, Dr Xiaobing Wang, and Creative Manchester Director, Dr John McAuliffe. The awards went to:

UK Winner (£500): Stephanie Cahill with ‘Running for Yia Yia’
China Winner (£500): Liu Xiaoguang 刘小光 with ‘The Ceremony of Crossing the River’
UK Runners-up (£200/each): Edyta Rice with ‘The Ascent of Determination’ and John Gorman with ‘Martin Perry – Para Team GB’
China Runners-up (£200/each): Wu Zhou吴茁 with ‘Joyful Ice-Skating Rink’ and Zhang Lijun张利军 with ‘Village Volleyball Tournament’

Stephanie Cahill, the UK winner, attended the event in person and shared what the award meant to her and her daughters, who are featured in her winning photograph. Also, Liu Xiaoguang, the China winner, sent a heartfelt video message to express his gratitude.

MCI Director, Peter Gries, who has been involved in the competition since its inception seven years ago, noted:

The exhibition is open to visitors at AMBS until 1 June. It encourages people to vote for their favourite photo, either in-person or online. The photo receiving the highest number of votes will receive a special prize as part of our People’s Choice Award.

View the photos and vote online.

Research Project Explores the Chinese Alumni Experience

Fri, 02 May 2025 11:54:22 +0100

The University of Manchester (UoM) is currently home to nearly 9,000 students from mainland China — by far the largest international student cohort on campus. Many of these students return to China after obtaining their degrees, contributing to a growing alumni network there. Today, more than 46,000 UoM alumni live and work in mainland China. However, despite the size and significance of this alumni community, little research has been done on how their experiences at UoM influence their long-term life trajectories.

MCI’s UK-China Travel Fund enabled Lorelei and Jennie to conduct fieldwork in China during the Summer of 2024, investigating the experiences of Chinese alumni and the lasting impact of their UoM student years. Both researchers are UoM alumni themselves: Lorelei, now the Engagement and External Relations Administrator at MCI, holds a First-Class BA in Social Sciences (Politics and Sociology), while Jennie, former Manchester-China Friendship Programme Lead (MCFP), has an MA in Educational Leadership with Distinction.

Together, they conducted in-person bilingual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with UoM Chinese alumni from Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, and Xi’an. These in-depth qualitative conversations traced the impact of the UoM student journey, from enrolment through graduation and into the current lives of the alumni.

Those interviewed varied in gender, degree subject, study level, graduation year, occupation, and location to increase representation across the Chinese alumni population. They also belonged to five UoM schools, and were mainly Master's and PhD graduates, reflecting typical Chinese study patterns in the UK. Graduation years ranged from 2015 to 2023, covering participants at different career stages, working across higher education, business management, arts and culture, sales, engineering, and hi-tech research.

Several key insights emerged regarding the alumni’s academic journeys, personal growth, career trajectories, and suggestions for institutional improvement (detailed here). Most participants were initially drawn to UoM for its global prestige and cultural ties to the UK. While they praised the academic quality and supportive teaching staff, many noted unmet expectations around cultural integration. The high concentration of Chinese students often led to self-segregation and missed opportunities to build meaningful relationships with local and international peers.

One MA graduate in Intercultural Communications (2022-23), now an IELTS English Teacher in Xi’an shared:

Despite these challenges, many developed valuable life skills and a greater sense of independence while at UoM, prompting shifts in their identity, worldview, and values. Participants felt empowered to express themselves more freely, challenging traditional Chinese norms and supporting new social causes. These experiences left lasting impressions, even as they returned to China (often due to immigration barriers and familial obligations).

Several struggled to reconcile their more globalised perspectives with the expectations back home, particularly around gender roles, life milestones, and workplace behaviours. One PhD graduate in Engineering (2017-20), now Associate Professor at Central South University, noted:

Participants also offered constructive feedback for the University, calling for stronger intercultural engagement, career development tailored to international students, and deeper academic mentorship. One MSc graduate in Communication Engineering (2016-17), now working for Ericsson Beijing as a RF Verification Engineer shared:

Beyond the classroom, participants recommended expanding initiatives like language-buddy schemes and more proactive use of Chinese social media. Their voices highlight both the transformative potential of a UoM education and the gaps still needing to be bridged for a truly inclusive student experience.

Rory Underwood joins the judging panel for the 2025 UK-China International Photography Competition

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:24:17 +0000

As a celebrated athlete, Underwood brings a unique perspective to this year’s competition, themed “The Spirit of Sports”. He is of English-Chinese heritage and spent his early years in Malaysia, before returning to the UK to play first-class rugby for 14 years at the Leicester Tigers.

Beyond his outstanding rugby career, recognised with an MBE in 1992, Underwood also served 18 years in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Flight Lieutenant and logging over 3,000 flying hours as a pilot. His diverse experiences and international background make him a valuable addition to the competition’s panel.

Joining Rory Underwood on the judging panel are:

Xiaolu Guo - Award-winning British-Chinese author and filmmaker.
Prof Michael Wood - Historian, Broadcaster, and Public History Professor at The University of Manchester.
Krizia Li - Founder & CEO at Vermillion: Asian art + design, Hong Kong.
Dr Zhang Hai - Director of the Research Centre for Visual Anthropology, School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, China.

Together, the five judges will evaluate submissions capturing “The Spirit of Sports,” selecting first the top 30 finalists and then the winners. The competition invites participants from across the UK and China to submit a smartphone photo that embodies this theme, accompanied by a short title and caption, for a chance to win exciting cash prizes of up to £500 and be featured in a Manchester and China-based exhibitions.

By exploring this theme, we hope that Chinese and British viewers of the photographs can see the world through each other’s eyes, fostering empathy and reducing prejudice.

Submissions must be sent to us via email at competitions.mci@manchester.ac.uk by Tuesday, 1 April 2025 and no professional photography skills are required.

The UK-China International Photography Competition was launched by The Manchester China Institute (MCI) and Creative Manchester in 2019.

2025 marks the seventh annual contest, which is supported by the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures (SALC) of The University of Manchester and the Manchester Museum, as well as Yunnan University, Henan Technology University, and a wide range of partners both in the UK and China.

Student Friendship Programme Shortlisted for University “Making a Difference” Awards for Social Responsibility

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:26:15 +0000

The Making a Difference Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of university staff, students, alumni, and external partners in making a positive impact on communities and wider society.

Inclusion and intercultural understanding are at the heart of our initiative. The Student Friendship Programme connects British, Chinese, and other international students on campus, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions and long-lasting friendships. Activities include exploring Manchester’s heritage sites, celebrating cultural festivals, sharing traditional cuisine, trying out new sports and other community-building initiatives.

Through these experiences, students gain valuable insights into each other’s cultures, fostering mutual understanding and a welcoming campus environment for all. A common stereotype about Chinese people in the Anglophone world is that they are smart but standoffish. In this view, they neither need nor deserve help. This attitude can lead to both passive neglect and the active exclusion of Chinese communities.

MCI therefore works hard to create spaces where our Chinese students feel included. This is particularly important at a time when global tensions have led to an increase in anti-Asian prejudice and anti-Western sentiment, reinforcing the need for open dialogue and constructive intercultural interactions.

We are thrilled to have been shortlisted from over 130 entries submitted for the awards. The winners and highly commended entries will be announced at the Making a Difference Awards final on Thursday, 8 May, in Whitworth Hall. The event will be hosted by UoM President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison and UoM Chancellor Nazir Afzal, and will be live streamed on YouTube starting at 6pm. A full list of all the shortlisted entrants is available on the social responsibility website.

MCI’s Lorelei Baciu, who has coordinated the scheme for three consecutive years, said

Participants in the programme have shared their positive experiences. One British undergraduate student described it as:

Similarly, a Chinese postgraduate student reflected:

The 2025 Friendship Programme organising team consists of Lorelei Baciu, Yannan Yu, Nasira Asghar, Peter Gries, Jake Ruding, Sol Stappard, Halia Zhang, and Yunyang Xia.

President and Vice-Chancellor strengthens The University of Manchester’s ties with partners and alumni during China and Hong Kong SAR visit

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:51:41 +0000

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, is visiting Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong this week to connect with partners, alumni and fellow universities in China.

A delegation of cross-faculty academics has joined Professor Ivison including Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President International, Professor Zhongdong Wang, Associate Dean for International in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Qing-Jun Meng, Associate Dean for International (Research & Innovation) in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

For the first stop of the visit in Beijing, the delegation met with the British Embassy, the British Council and the China Scholarship Council before visiting partners of The University of Manchester, Tsinghua University and Peking University.

In Shanghai, academics met with staff and toured the facilities at the China Centre before visiting partner institutions Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University.

The trip concludes in Hong Kong, where the group will visit the East Asia Centre before spending the evening at a panel discussion held at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre. There will also be a breakfast event with the Hong Kong Foundation for The University of Manchester (HKFUM).

Alumni receptions have been organised in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, to give the visiting academics the chance to meet with former students of the University.

This trip to China marks Professor Ivison’s first official overseas visit since assuming the post of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University in 2024.

Professor Ivison said: “The University of Manchester has a long and proud history of collaboration with our partners in China, and it has been so meaningful to connect with our alumni, staff, fellow universities and prospective students during our visit. Their experiences, insights and ongoing connection to Manchester are invaluable to us as we look to the future and continue to shape our Manchester 2035 strategy.

“International partnerships will remain a key focus for our University, and we look forward to progressing our relationships with our network in China over the coming years. In today’s complex global landscape, academic collaborations and the friendships forged by these exchanges are more important than ever.”

The University of Manchester is proud to have welcomed from China almost 10,000 students in 2024 and, as of 2023, 300 talented staff across academic and professional services roles.

The University is home to the Manchester China Insitute which seek mutual understanding between the British and Chinese peoples through research, students, social responsibility, and inclusion. The University’s Manchester Museum is home to the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery which offers a diverse and dynamic understanding of Chinese culture and the historical and contemporary links between Manchester and China.

The University of Manchester prides itself of being a truly international institution, welcoming one of the largest international student populations in the UK to our University each year. The University ranked 34th in the world (and 6th in the UK) in the 2025 QS World Rankings, scoring highly for international student ratio (99.2), international research network (99.2) and international faculty ratio (93.1).

The University of Manchester is recognised globally for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. It ranks 52nd in the world (and 6th in the UK) in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The University excels across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is recognised second in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Manchester China Institute hosts second UK-China Diplomatic Dialogue

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:56:43 +0000

The eight British diplomats all came from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London, while the eight Chinese diplomats came from the Chinese Embassy in London and the Chinese Consulates in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast.

The diplomats stayed at the Didsbury House Hotel, where they engaged in three private group discussions. A fourth was held on campus at the Manchester China Institute in the Lee Kai Hung building.

Professor of Politics, Peter Gries, founding Director of the Manchester China Institute (MCI), started the Dialogue in 2019 with an eye towards fostering mutual trust in UK-China relations. He said:

The retreat also included a public lunch on campus for Manchester students to meet with the diplomats. President Duncan Ivison attended and was the first to speak. Manchester boasts nearly 9,000 Chinese students, and President Ivison pointed to the Manchester-China Friendship Programme as an example of the work the University does to support the student experience in general, and for Chinese students in particular.

Other speakers at the lunch with students included Tang Rui, the Chinese Consul General to Manchester, Ben Leibowitz representing the FCDO delegation, and Jiang Zhouteng representing the Chinese Embassy.

After the lunch, BA English Literature and Chinese student, Julia Zelazo, said:

Similarly, Vivian Wang, who recently graduated from UoM with an MA in International Education added:

Manchester is the first British university to set social responsibility as a core goal. Demonstrating this commitment, Nalin Thakkar, UoM Vice-President for Social Responsibility; Fiona Devine, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Claire Alexander, Head of the School of Social Sciences, and Richard Cotton, Director of International Development, also attended the lunch.

New MCI Postdoc to Explore Chinese Activism in 20th Century Britain

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:10:03 +0100

Dr Sha Zhou received her BA and MA in English Language and Literature in China, and a MRes in Historical Research at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London.

She then obtained a PhD in Contemporary British History from King’s College London in 2021, with a thesis on the migration of ethnic Chinese women to post-war Britain.

Most recently, she worked at the School of International Studies/Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies at Jinan University.

Sha’s research at MCI will look at grassroots Chinese activism in twentieth-century urban Britain.

MCI Funds Civic Engagement with Local Chinese Communities Project

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0100

The Manchester China Institute has partnered with the Humanities Vice-Dean for Social Responsibility to fund Dr Nan Zhang, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Medical Sociology and Social Gerontology in the Department of Social Statistics to lead a project on civic engagement with local Chinese communities.

Greater Manchester is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in the UK. The project will focus on older Chinese adults and Hong Kong migrants who have recently come to the UK.

The project will support various social and cultural activities aimed at understanding the challenges and barriers related to life adjustment to migration and maintaining family ties and care relations across borders. It will add much-needed evidence to the literature on ageing, care, and transnational migration by focusing on the Chinese diaspora in Greater Manchester.

The project will bring together leading scholars from the University of Manchester specialising in ageing, health, well-being, digital technology, and China to establish a strong civic network with local Chinese communities, NGOs, community organisations, and local authorities in Greater Manchester. The civic engagement activities will make a positive difference to local Chinese communities in Greater Manchester and beyond.

Dr Nan Zhang and her colleagues aim to develop a review paper on ageing, transnational care and digital technology, as well as a major grant proposal in this area. The researchers will organise public lectures on ageing, family, and filial piety in Chinese society, coinciding with traditional Chinese festivals throughout 2024/2025.

Inspired by the MCI’s successful UK-China International Photography Competition, they will also launch an amateur photo competition featuring ageing, care and filial piety among Chinese families in Greater Manchester.

New Manager to progress Manchester China Institute

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:47:54 +0100

Yannan received her MBA with distinction from the University College London (UCL) in 2023, and has bilingual proficiency in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

She has extensive experience in HE, including in research and partnership development, stakeholder engagement, budgeting and events management. Before joining MCI, Yannan worked at the Institute of Education (IOE) at UCL for over five years.

As a Research Centre Manager, she worked alongside the Centre Director to set up a Centre for Teacher and Early Years Education. This research centre was founded through a philanthropic donation and worked to contribute to the improving of the quality of early years education in China through research collaboration between IOE and partner universities in China.

During her time at UCL, Yannan was seconded to the IOE Research Development as the Research Development Manager. She contributed significantly to the institution’s five-year Research Strategy Delivery Plan to grow its research impact.

To widen her experience, Yannan also worked at IOE Marketing and Communications as the Faculty Events Manager, running flagship recruitment events across PGT/PGR, UG and Initial Teacher Education and public facing events.

Prior to UCL, Yannan worked at London South Bank University’s Confucius Institute for nearly nine years. She held senior positions including Deputy Director, in developing, communicating and implementing the Institute’s strategy. Before coming to London, Yannan served as a lecturer in Business English at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.

People’s Choice Winners in 2024 Photography Competition Celebrate Food and Drink

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:15:37 +0100

The votes have been counted. The People’s Choice Award winners of the 2024 UK-China Photography Competition are Chih-Yu Chuang’s photo ‘My Morning Ritual of the Day’, and Muhammad Sajeer Parambath’s entry ‘Brewing Bonds: Jing’s Overflowing Coffee’. Each winner claims a prize of £100 in cash.

Coincidentally, both images focused on the theme of food and drink.

Chuang commented of the winning photo:

“Starting my day means embarking on a daily breakfast adventure, a joy I find even when travelling.”

And Muhammed said of his image:

“Jing’s morning ritual of crafting coffee for his colleagues brims with warmth and care, fostering heartwarming moments and laughter among the group.”

Run by the Manchester China Institute (MCI) and Creative Manchester at The University of Manchester, the theme of this year’s competition was 'Daily Rituals’. The top 30 finalists and winning photos were shortlisted out of hundreds of submissions received from China and the UK.

Each entry demonstrated how a thoughtful photograph can transcend cultural and linguistic divides, reveal our common humanity, and enhance mutual understanding between China and the UK. The votes were registered in person at this year’s Photo Exhibition at Alliance Manchester Business School, at the University’s Universally Manchester Festival, and online via Google and WeChat.

MCI Director, Professor Peter Gries, said:

Nick McGee awarded Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:54:25 +0100

It will explore the birth of modern Sino-African relations, when the Qing Chinese government agreed to a deal with Britain to transport some sixty-thousand Chinese workers to labour in gold mines in South Africa’s Transvaal colony between 1903-1910.

Through multilingual archival work, Nick will examine how this contested transimperial venture functioned to introduce and shape conceptions of Africa and its peoples in China—and how these conceptions influenced the emergence of Chinese modernity.

In this way, the project hopes to offer a ground-breaking contribution to understudied histories of the globally significant present-day relationship between China and the African continent.

The Early Career Fellowship is a highly competitive research grant awarded annually by the Leverhulme Trust to support the work of early career scholars.

The award supports 36 months of full-time research and includes funding for research expenses. The research will be undertaken at Durham University under the mentorship of Dr. Chris Courtney. But Nick will remain a Scholar in Residence at MCI.

Nicholas McGee has been involved with the Manchester China Institute since 2019, and has most recently been working as a Lecturer in Chinese History at Durham University. His work explores questions of migration, nationality, and empire in 18th, 19th and 20th-century China. He is currently developing a book manuscript on the origins of the modern relationship between the Chinese state and the Chinese diaspora.

Aoife Cantrill wins Best Doctoral Thesis Award

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:50:18 +0100

The British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS) has awarded Manchester China Institute (MCI) research associate Dr Aoife Cantrill the 2023 Best Doctoral Thesis Award.

Aoife’s thesis, titled “Translating Kōminka: Shaping Narratives of Japanese Rule in Taiwan Through Translation Post-1975”, explores how literary translators have engaged with historical, political and cultural narratives of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan (1895-1945). It focuses on the translation history of a corpus of Japanese-language texts written by Taiwanese women during the final decade of colonial rule, arguing that their translations contain commentary on linguistic politics in colonial society, as well as Taiwanese femininity and its history. This research demonstrates the importance of considering the linguistic legacies of the Japanese colonial project after the end of empire, showing how works written in its throes possess a cultural influence beyond 1945.

The thesis was assessed by a panel of three academic judges, who commended it as ‘a courageous, incisive and beautifully written study of short texts produced by hitherto little-known women writers during the Japanese occupation 1934-1945. [Cantrill’s] analysis offers a sensitive and nuanced approach to a topic that continues to generate strident nationalist and patriotic passions.’ In addition, they noted that the thesis’ ‘conceptual reach will make it an exciting intervention in debates about the place of text and translation in mediating the political relationships between Taiwan, Japan and the PRC’. The award was made at the BACS annual conference held at King’s College London on 7-8 September 2023.

As a research associate at the MCI, Aoife is working on a postdoctoral project looking at the cultural politics of textile production in Japanese-occupied areas of China from 1931 onwards. In addition, for the academic year 2023-24 Aoife is a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, University of Manchester.

Celebrating 15 Years: The University of Manchester China Centre Shines in Shanghai

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:30:00 +0100

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester visited China, including Beijing and Shanghai, 11 to 13 September 2023. This is the President’s first China visit since the hiatus in face-to-face activity owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions, and recognises the long and close relationship between The University of Manchester and China.

China visit strengthens research and educational collaborations

On her first stop in Beijing, from 11–12 September, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell and her delegation met with key partners and institutions, including Peking University Health Science Center, China Scholarship Council and the National Natural Science Foundation Council, to enhance the significant collaborations in research and teaching in China. She looks forward to strengthening academic and research collaboration in the future. Professor Rothwell also delivered a speech on the theme of ‘A Life in Science’ during her visit to Peking University.

On the evening of 11 September, an alumni reception in Beijing was hosted by the President for over 200 alumni, where Nancy shared the university’s latest achievements. Nancy mentioned that earlier this year, the UK government announced a new prize for artificial intelligence named after The University of Manchester’s invention of the first stored program computer in 1948. It will be known as ‘The Manchester Prize.’

Celebrating the 15^th anniversary of the China Centre

On 13 September, Professor Rothwell toured the new premises of The University of Manchester China Centre in Shanghai. Ms. Sherry Fu, Founding Director of the China Centre, hosted the visit and introduced the Centre’s low-carbon office project, support for the delivery of the Global MBA and online blended Masters courses, such as MA Education Leadership in Practice and Msc Financial Management, and the Centre’s cultural activities and social impact to the President and her delegation. Professor Rothwell said how impressed she is by the ambition and growth of the China Centre in the past 15 years. She also appreciated the support from the China Centre to ensure the best experience for all University students and alumni, and to contribute to a broader landscape of transnational education.

While in Shanghai, Professor Rothwell also met with the leadership team of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and exchanged thoughts on collaboration opportunities between the two universities in the future.

Professor Rothwell also hosted an Alumni Gala Dinner on the evening of 13 September for over 300 alumni across the country and distinguished guests to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The University of Manchester China Centre.

Professor Rothwell especially mentioned the upcoming University’s bicentenary celebration and welcomed alumni in China to celebrate this significant milestone for the University in 2024.

“It was wonderful to meet our alumni in Beijing and Shanghai. At The University of Manchester, our alumni continue to be a part of our community, long after graduation. And we’re always proud to see Chinese alumni shining in their fields after their graduation, in China, the UK, and other places in the world,” said Professor Rothwell.

Looking ahead – a bright future

Commenting on her trip, Professor Rothwell said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit China again to reconnect with our partners and to celebrate with our esteemed alumni. The University of Manchester prides itself on being a truly international university.”

New Manager to Grow the Manchester China Institute

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:45:00 +0100

Charlotte is bilingual in English and Mandarin, and holds a PhD from the University of Manchester. Her academic career started as a Lecturer in Fashion Marketing and Branding at Nottingham Trent University. Charlotte later worked in various commercial roles in the retail and aviation industries.

Before joining the Institute, she worked as a General Manager for Northeast Asia at eComplete, an eCommerce agency that helps brands expand internationally. Before that, Charlotte led various initiatives at the Manchester Airports Group (MAG). Her work cemented MAG’s role as the Gateway of the North as MAG was going through a £1bn transformation, including expanding its links with Asia.

Charlotte joins MCI as students return to campus for the new academic year. It is a busy time with the Institute preparing research talks and webinars on China studies, as well as growing its two signature programmes, the UK-China International Photography Competition and the Manchester-China Friendship Programme.

Prof. Peter Gries, MCI Director, said:

Dr. Charlotte Shi, MCI Institute Manager, said:

Yunnan Arts University Student Wins the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 UK-China International Photography Competition

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:37:12 +0100

Run by the Manchester China Institute (MCI) and Creative Manchester at The University of Manchester, the competition uses amateur photography as a visual way of overcoming linguistic divides and highlighting the common humanity of China and the UK. Members of the public across China and the UK were invited to vote for their favourite entry to determine the People’s Choice winner.

The category received a record 20,000 votes, registered in person at this year’s Photo Exhibition at Alliance Manchester Business School, at the University’s Community Festival, and online via Google and WeChat.

Huang Bingyao’s entry depicts his grandfather as the main character of his picture, sitting outside with a bowler hat on his head and the family treasure, the Yunnan hookah, in his hands. Commenting on his submission, the photographer said:

MCI Director, Professor Peter Gries, said:

Professor Thomas Schmidt, Head of the School of Arts, Languages, and Culture at the University of Manchester, added:

Professor Gries co-hosts dialogue between American and Chinese diplomats

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:26:38 +0100

On June 5-6, 15 Chinese and American diplomats met in La Jolla, California for the 13th annual US-China Young Diplomats Dialogue, co-hosted by Professor Peter Gries of the Manchester China Institute.

The retreat involved formal sit-down discussions of topics including the sources of trust and mistrust in U.S.-China relations, and confidence building and other measures to improve U.S.-China Relations. It also included informal activities for the diplomats, including hiking in Torrey Pines Reserve along the Pacific coast, and attending a Padres (San Diego) vs Cubs (Chicago) baseball game, which the Padres won. These activities gave the Chinese and American diplomats ample opportunity to get to know one another better, and further discuss bilateral issues.

Professor Peter Gries established the US-China Young Diplomats Dialogue in 2007 to generate mutual trust and improve U.S.-China relations, and cohosts it annually with Fudan University Professor WU Xinbo. It does this by creating an informal retreat-like atmosphere in which participating diplomats can establish personal relationships while frankly exchanging their views on bilateral relations.

The 13th Dialogue was held in La Jolla, California, generously and expertly hosted by the 21st Century China Center at the University of California at San Diego.

The participating American diplomats were Nick Snyder, Gareth Collins, Kim Fassler, Eric Bigelow, Paul Prokop, Emily Abraham, and Ashley Wood. The Chinese diplomats were LI Xiang (李想), WEN Zhirong (温志荣), HA Lisi (哈丽思), and PENG Yutian (彭宇田), all from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, and ZHU Shaoding (朱韶鼎), KANG Ning (康宁), ZHANG Jingcheng (张景铖), and HOU Jieying (侯洁莹) from the Chinese Consulates in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles respectively.

2023中英国际摄影大赛获奖作品于展览启动仪式上揭晓

Wed, 10 May 2023 16:09:00 +0100

曼彻斯特中国研究院(MCI)和Creative Manchester于5月3日星期三在曼彻斯特联盟商学院(AMBS)启动了2023中英国际摄影大赛的展览。展览展示了由参赛者们用智能手机拍摄的照片，并附有以“传家宝”为主题的双语短篇故事，跨越语言的界限，关注我们共同的人性，促进中英文化的相互理解。

本次展览所展示的作品是今年中英国际摄影大赛的前30个作品，从数百个国际投稿中选出。参展作品和最终获奖作品由Michael Wood教授(曼彻斯特大学)、张海博士(云南大学)、朱晓闻(东南亚当代艺术中心)和孟冰纯博士(伦敦政治经济学院)组成的评审团选出。

获奖作品由大曼彻斯特郡长Gerry Yeung，曼彻斯特博物馆馆长Esme Ward，Creative Manchester负责人John McAuliffe和曼彻斯特大学DDAR负责人Kate Cambden在AMBS上公布。

The four main winners announced were:

宣布的四个大奖获奖者和作品分别是:

英国获奖者：Corina Andrisan 《艺术是我的宝贝》
中国冠军：周琤《厨房妈妈》
英国亚军：Olivia Parsonage 《麦卡的祖母帽子》
中国亚军：KAZ 《剃毛头》

出席的特别嘉宾包括连续五年担任大赛评委的Michael Wood教授，以及首次加入评审团的张海博士。两位评委朗读了中英两国获奖选手真挚的双语来信，讲述他们作品的美好故事。曼彻斯特大学艺术、语言和文化学院院长Thomas Schmidt和MCI院长Peter Gries也在颁奖典礼上致辞，Gries教授强调了本次摄影大赛的内核:

本次大赛优秀作品展览将于5月31日结束，期待大家亲自到场观看展览并进行现场投票，也可以在网络上投票选出最喜欢的照片。获得投票最多的作品将获得500英镑的奖金和“人民选择奖”的荣誉。在这里投票给您最喜欢的照片。

2023 UK-China International Photography Winners Announced at Exhibition Launch and Awards Ceremony

Wed, 10 May 2023 14:09:00 +0100

A new photography exhibition has opened at the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) promoting mutual understanding in UK-China relations through focusing on our common humanity.

The Manchester China Institute (MCI), in partnership with Creative Manchester, launched the exhibition on Wednesday 3 May in recognition of the entries from the 2023 UK-China International Photography Competition.

Displayed throughout the entrance at AMBS is a collection of the top 30 entries, accompanied by the bilingual short stories all focused on the theme of ‘family treasures.’

The competition welcomed several hundred smartphone entries from residents of both the UK and China. The finalists and winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of Prof Michael Wood (University of Manchester), Dr Zhang Hai (Yunnan University), Xiaowen Zhu (ESEA Director), and Dr Bingchun Meng (LSE).

The winning photos were unveiled at the launch event by Greater Manchester High Sheriff, Gerry Yeung, Manchester Museum Director, Esme Ward, Creative Manchester Director, John McAuliffe, and Head of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Manchester, Kate Cambden.

The four main winners announced were:

UK Winner (£1000): Corina Andrisan with ‘Art is my Treasure’
China Winner (¥8,888): Zhou Zheng with ‘Kitchen Mother’
UK Runner-up (£300): Olivia Parsonage with ‘Maika’s Ba’s Hat’
China Runner-up (¥2,888): Kaz with ‘Hair Shave’

Amongst the special guests attending were broadcaster and author, Professor Michael Wood, returning as a judge for the 5th consecutive year, and Dr Zhang Hai, who joined this year’s judging panel for the first time. The two judges expertly read heartfelt bilingual letters sent by the UK and China winners, giving voice to their beautiful stories. Head of the School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures at the University of Manchester Thomas Schmidt, and MCI Director, Peter Gries also spoke at the ceremony, with Professor Peter Gries emphasising the heart of the contest:

The exhibition is open to visitors at AMBS until May 31. It encourages people to vote for their favourite photo, either in-person or online. The photo receiving the highest number of votes will receive a £500 prize alongside the People’s Choice Award accolade. To view the photos and to vote online, visit the link here.

Celebrating the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery opening

Thu, 04 May 2023 17:31:01 +0100

The Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery is the first permanent gallery devoted to Chinese culture in the history of Manchester Museum. Its aim is to promote empathy and understanding between the people of the UK and China.

The celebration event gathered together contributors, staff and members of the city’s Chinese communities to mark Dr Lee’s formal opening of the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture gallery. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, there were speeches by our President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nancy Rothwell, former City of Manchester Deputy Lieutenant Gerry Young (speaking on behalf of Dr Lee) and Manchester Museum Director Esme Ward.

The speakers highlighted the importance of empathy in promoting intercultural understanding, especially at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. The assistance and guidance provided by the Manchester China Institute and its director Professor Peter Gries have been crucial. This institution is also funded by Dr Lee.

At a special dinner, guests toasted Dr Lee’s generosity and vision. Dr Lee was presented with a model of the moon gate which greets visitors to the Gallery, and includes Dr Lee’s poignant quote:

More about the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Cultural Gallery

Showcasing rarely seen collections, and drawing on powerful personal narratives, this exciting new Gallery explores the rich legacy of the relationship and enduring links between Manchester and China. It has been informed by the research of our academics and international collaborations, and it offers a nuanced understanding of Chinese culture that includes natural history as well as the humanities.

Outstanding objects include a milu deer or si bu xiang (“four not alike”), a species rescued from the brink of extinction thanks to international collaboration. And loans from the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery and the John Rylands library include beautifully embroidered textiles, exquisitely carved jade artefacts, porcelain vases and an astonishing 20-metre-long scroll.

The result is a visually stunning experience further enhanced by designers Imagemakers‘ sympathetic colour scheme. The Gallery highlights personal stories of migration, friendships and collaboration to inspire empathy and build understanding.

Read more about the Museum galleries

Manchester-China Friendship Programme students meet the Lord Mayor of Manchester

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:13:09 +0100

On April 17, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Donna Ludford, hosted a fruitful discussion with our Manchester-China Friendship Programme (MCFP) students and organisers at Manchester’s Central Library. The event was an opportunity for MCFP students to share their experiences in the scheme and ask direct questions to the Lord Mayor, while enjoying an afternoon tea together.

The MCFP was launched in 2021 by Manchester China Institute (MCI) and Manchester China Forum (MCF), with support from the University of Manchester, aiming to help integrate new Chinese students into campus life, while simultaneously enriching the campus experience for local students. Now in its second edition, the scheme includes 40 UK-based “host” students and 60 newly-arrived Chinese students that engage in regular exciting events, seeking to break cultural barriers and develop mutual understanding between British and Chinese students.

Meeting the Lord Mayor was a chance to address the challenges faced by Chinese students across Manchester, and to spark a larger conversation about further positive Sino-British cultural exchanges. The Lord Mayor was highly receptive to the student’s concerns and proposals, as the MCFP looks to initiate a potential mentorship scheme between MCFP participants and school students across Greater Manchester. Seeing the programme’s achievements recognised on an administrative level is particularly important at a time when anti-Asian prejudice and discrimination has increased in the UK and around the world.

UoM Politics & Chinese student and Senior Host with the MCFP, Sol Stappard, emphasised the importance of the scheme at the event.

MCI hire new Engagement and External Relations Officer

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:02:20 +0000

The MCI have appointed Lorelei Baciu, a Politics and Sociology graduate from the University of Manchester, with a wide expertise in the public relations and marketing sectors as their new Engagement and External Relations Officer.

Lorelei worked as as intern with the Manchester China Institute in February 2022, where she had the opportunity to coordinate the Manchester-China Friendship Programme (MCFP), an integration scheme that brings together Manchester-based ‘host’ students and newly-arrived Chinese students, with the aim of fostering intercultural friendships.

In her new role at the MCI, Lorelei will assist with the organisation and delivery of weekly seminars and research talks as well as continuing to coordinate on the MCFP and other social outreach programmes. Lorelei will also focus on expanding MCI’s online presence by further developing its social media accounts and YouTube channel.

The MCI and Creative Manchester Launch their fifth UK-China International Photography Competition

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 14:10:42 +0000

The competition is now open, with smartphone owners in the UK or China invited to submit photos on the theme of ‘family treasures’ by the evening of Wednesday 12 April.

An expert panel of judges will name the winners for the best UK, China, and Under-16 entries, with a special prize for the ‘People’s Choice’ winner, decided by the public. Winners and runners-up will receive prizes of up to £1,000 each.

The winning entries will be unveiled at an awards ceremony this summer and showcased alongside shortlisted entries at a dedicated exhibition on the University’s Oxford Road main campus. A selection of the winning images will also be displayed at Manchester Museum, after it was recently reopened following a £15m redevelopment.

For half a decade, the Competition has been a vital building block in increasing engagement, friendship, and mutual understanding between the UK and China. More than 2,000 entries have been submitted over the years, and in 2022 the ‘People’s Choice’ category received more than 30,000 votes from across the UK and China.

Professor Peter Gries, Lee Kai Hung Chair and Founding Director of the Manchester China Institute said: “The visual medium of the photograph can overcome linguistic divides, revealing our common humanity, and promoting mutual understanding in UK-China relations.”

“The Competition theme this year is ‘family treasures’, which seeks to capture personal experiences of what it feels like to cherish something associated with family.”

“Whether it’s an object with special significance, a talent that’s been passed down for generations, or a newly discovered treasure, we’re looking for visual stories that convey the special connections people form within their families.”

“No matter how small, or what it is, it’s all about what’s treasured in the eye of the beholder – whether they are in Beijing or Birmingham.”

Professor Thomas Schmidt, Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University, added: “The UK-China photography competition is a true showcase of creativity and an important milestone in the annual creative calendar in the north-west of England.”

“The launch comes at an exciting time for east and south-east Asian art and culture in Manchester. It follows the opening of the Chinese Culture Gallery in the recently refurbished Manchester Museum and the launch of the esea contemporary, an art gallery dedicated to east and south-east Asian art. We’re proud to have Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary, as one of this year’s judges.”

“Entries from the last four editions have been truly exceptional, and we look forward to receiving many beautiful photos with their stories this year.”

Joining Xiaowen Zhu on the judging panel are Michael Wood, Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester; Dr Zhang Hai, Director of the Research Center for Visual Anthropology, School of Ethnology and Sociology at Yunnan University; and Bingchun Meng, Professor in Media and Communications at LSE.

To find out more and to submit entries, visit the UK-China International Photography Competition page at uom.link/ukchinaphoto.

MCI Fund supports academic exchanges between the UK and Greater China

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:21:00 +0100

Nine successful Manchester-based students each received £1000 after applying for our Travel Fund grant in September 2022. The students will all be studying the Chinese language.

The awards were made possible by MCI benefactor, Dr. Lee Kai Hung. In 2020, Dr. Lee generously committed £100,000 to match any other charitable gifts made towards the same travel fund, supporting UoM students and staff to study Chinese and conduct research on Greater China. Last year, ex-UMIST student and now one of China’s top electrical engineers, Li Ruomei, gifted £30,000 to be paid over three years, which has been since matched by Dr. Lee’s donation.

“I’m Keisha and I was born and raised in London. I’m currently studying Modern Language and Business & Management (Chinese) at the University of Manchester. As part of my degree, I have the opportunity to study in Taiwan where I will be able to focus on improving my Chinese at the National Taiwan University in Taipei. I believe that learning Chinese is a very useful skill and will be valuable in my future as I hope to be involved in international organisations or work in communications related roles”. - Keisha Lam, 2022-2023 Travel Fund Awardee

Aside from sending students to research in the Chinese-speaking world, the gift has enabled the MCI to fund the arrival of world class researchers to be scholars in residence at the institute. The fund will be used to cover “bench fees” at the university, allowing the MCI to host at least four multi-disciplinary scholars in China studies in the 2022-2023 year.

MCI Director Gries on BBC World Business Report

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:41:45 +0100

Professor Gries discusses the economic challenges China faces as Xi Jinping heads into his third five-year term.

MCI researcher Dr Tao Wang awarded 3-year Hallsworth funding

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 09:58:00 +0100

Dr Wang obtained his Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Manchester in 2021 with his doctoral research focusing on how the informal rule of guanxi affects political representation in Taiwan. After completing his Ph.D. in the 2021-2022 academic year, Dr Wang worked at the MCI as a Research Associate on several projects about both Taiwanese and Chinese public opinion, where he collaborated widely with a global network of scholars. Dr. Wang also initiated the highly successful Early Career Researcher talks series at the MCI, enabling many young scholars to present their research to a multidisciplinary group of peers.

As a Hallsworth Research Fellow, Dr. Wang is formulating a new project about Chinese views of cross-strait relations. The study will examine the increasingly bellicose rhetoric about cross-strait relations in Chinese public opinion and explore the driving forces behind it.

People’s Choice Award Winner Revealed for 2022 UK-China International Photography Competition

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 22:37:29 +0100

MANCHESTER 6 July 2022 – A tender moment between an older couple captured the hearts of voters for this year’s People’s Choice Award for the UK-China International Photography Competition.

After whittling down several hundred entries, the top 30 submissions were exhibited at The Alliance Manchester Business School from 30 May to 1 July 2022, with the two main winners from the UK and China already selected by the contest’s expert judging panel during the opening ceremony.

The People’s Choice Award left the selection up to the public, opening the votes both online and in-person at the exhibition. In total, almost 30,000 votes were cast through a combination of WeChat, Facebook, and the exhibit ballot box.

This third Award came with a prize of £500/¥4,500, and the clear winner was a fantastic submission from 王淑云 (Shuyun Wang). Her entry ‘The Older Couple’ (老来夫妻) depicted the affection still clearly visible between an elderly duo, as the husband spooned his wife the New Year treat of Tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). The charming photograph was taken in rural Licheng County, Shanxi Province.

The MCI and Creative Manchester wish to congratulate all three winners once again on their wonderful entries.

Manchester Museum’s landmark ‘Golden Mummies of Egypt’ exhibition to open in Shenzhen

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:10:09 +0100

Golden Mummies of Egypt - Manchester Museum’s first ever international touring exhibition - will open at Nanshan Museum in Shenzhen on Friday 24 June.

Golden Mummies, developed and produced in partnership with Nomad Exhibitions, explores beliefs about the afterlife during an era when Egypt was part of the Greek and Roman worlds.

It offers unparalleled access to Manchester Museum’s Egypt and Sudan collections and features more than 100 objects and eight mummies.

The show has experienced huge success in Beijing and Shanghai already, attracting over quarter of a million visitors.

Following its time in Shenzhen, Golden Mummies will return to Manchester Museum, part of The University of Manchester, taking centre stage in a brand new 420m2 Exhibition Hall from February 2023.

The Exhibition Hall is part of the museum’s ambitious £15million transformation project. When the museum reopens to the public, ambitious shows will engage with big ideas, global challenges and local action.

Businesses benefiting from political connections harm China’s economic growth

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:38:11 +0100

Researchers from The University of Manchester and University of Navarra have examined the value of politically connected firm directors to the Chinese elite, in terms of getting preferential access to resources.

The study found that being connected to the political elite in China brings advantages to firms, despite the launch of the Anti-Corruption Campaign (ACC) by president Xi Jinping in 2012. According to the paper, recently published in the Journal of Institutional Economics, private firms benefit from higher subsidies if at least one director in the boardroom has ties with the ruling Communist Party’s Politburo. State-owned enterprises (SOE’s) that have at least one connected director also enjoy privileges, such as paying lower interest rates.

The findings differ between private and state owned firms, showing that connections have become more valuable for private firms following the anti-corruption campaign. According to the research, private firms face a more aggressive environment within the Chinese context, and often engage in corrupt practices as a mechanism to survive.

By contrast, corruption in state firms differs in nature, given that state firms already enjoy a privileged status within the Chinese economy and do not need to engage in corruption in order to survive. The value of connections in the state sector did not increase after the ACC, however, political connections remained important.

According to the study, in state owned firms the problem of corruption and personal connections lies in the politicisation of these companies. Whilst SOEs are tied to the Chinese Government, they can be used as a means for political interests. The researchers suggest that reducing connections between politicians and firms and introducing market rules within state companies would increase efficiency.

This research sheds light on a resource allocation mechanism that has become increasingly important in China since 2012, but which, according to the researchers, harms China’s economic growth in the long term.

Whilst the Anti-Corruption Campaign may have had some other positive effects, the researchers argue that improving market institutions in China and providing a more favourable environment for private companies requires deeper reforms.

“We show that the value of connections in the private sector increased after the Anti-Corruption Campaign because they became a less risky alternative to pecuniary corruption. We also show that connected firms do not perform better than others, despite benefiting from advantages. The Chinese economy as a whole hence suffers due to these political economy mechanisms at play.” Said Dr Nuno Palma, from The University of Manchester.

Winners of international photography competition announced in China

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 15:34:03 +0100

Manchester China Institute and Creative Manchester recently staged an awards ceremony in China for this year’s International Photography Competition, which marked the 35th anniversary of Manchester’s twinning with the city of Wuhan.

Hundreds of caring-themed submissions were received from both countries between March and May of this year, in a competition to promote mutual understanding between the UK and China.

The entries were whittled down to a shortlist of 30 – including two overall winners – by an esteemed judging panel including Michael Wood (Historian, Broadcaster and Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester). The 30 shortlisted photographs are now being exhibited at the Wuhan Tiandi Horizon, China, where the awards ceremony took place on 10 June.

The well-attended ceremony warranted coverage from Chinese news stations, with local dignitaries and representation from the Wuhan UK consulate adding prestige to the occasion. UK Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson was in attendance and announced the two overall winners, with Professor Alessandro Schiesaro (Head of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures) and Peter Gries (Director of the Manchester China Institute) giving remote speeches congratulating the winners.

Michael Wood also gave a remote speech, in which he stated “The photos coming in this, of all years, have really transported all of us – especially the Chinese photos back to the streets of China, and the joy and affability of the people.”

The award for the Best UK Submission went to NHS worker, Ruthie Clegg, whose photograph was taken in a hospital at the height of the pandemic. It shows the nonverbal ways that Ruthie and her colleagues cared for each other during an incredibly difficult period. In her pre-recorded acceptance speech, Ruthie told us how much it meant to receive the award, and stressed the need for caring amid tough times: “It was really important to be there for one another, as staff members, as nothing ever prepared us for what we were going to see in this past year”.

The UK's Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson DCMG presented the award for the Best China Submission to Zhang Hongwei (张洪卫), whose image presented an amusing snapshot of life in rural Yunnan, showing a wife ably trimming her husband’s toenails. Zhang attended the Wuhan awards ceremony in person, travelling all the way from Yunnan (the equivalent journey of London to Rome!). Both overall winners received £1,000/8,888 RMB.

A third award is still up for grabs, and the recipient is to be decided by the public. Voting for the People’s Choice Award, which comes with a prize of £500/¥4,500, is now open. Have your say by heading over to Creative Manchester’s Facebook page and ‘liking’ your favourite image in the album entitled ‘International Photography Competition 2021: People’s Choice Vote’.

MCI Director teams up with MERICS Experts on German perceptions of China podcast

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 09:14:00 +0000

How do Germans feel and think about China? Peter Hays Gries, MCI Director, talks with Kerstin Lohse-Friedrick to analyse the ideological drivers which shape the views of Germans on China.

The MERICS (Mercator Institute for China Studies) Experts podcast series analyses current affairs and developments in China, and regularly hosts guest speakers and China experts to participate in the discussion.

To listen to the podcast via Soundcloud, click here.

University expert co-hosts meeting of American and Chinese diplomats

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:08:56 +0100

A group of Chinese and American diplomats have met in the remote mountains of China's Anhui province for the 12th annual US-China Diplomatic Dialogue, co-hosted by Professor Peter Gries of the Manchester China Institute.

The meeting involved formal discussions of the US-China trade dispute, security competition in the South China Sea, and the future of US-China relations. It also included informal activities like hiking in the Mingtang Mountains and touring local factories and farms, giving the Chinese and American diplomats ample opportunity to get to know one another better, and further discuss bilateral issues.

Yuexi, the town where the meeting took place, is the hometown of cohost Wu Xinbo, who Directs both the Shanghai and Fudan University Institutes of American Studies.

Professor Peter Gries established the US-China Diplomatic Dialogue in 2007 to generate mutual trust and improve U.S.-China relations. It does this by creating an informal retreat-like atmosphere in which participating diplomats can establish personal relationships while frankly exchanging their views on bilateral relations.

The Americans attendees came from the US Embassy in Beijing, and the five US Consulates scattered around China. The Chinese diplomats all came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

Americans and Chinese people grow up with very different ideologies and worldviews - in such a context, they can easily project their worst fears onto one another, increasing the likelihood of conflict. Professor Gries created the dialogue in the hopes that it would help each side better understand the others’ views, lessening the likelihood that misperceptions and fear would contribute to war.

Because of the working-level, informal, and intimate nature of the US-China Diplomatic Dialogue, it also allows young Chinese and American diplomats to form personal relationships that they can call upon in their future careers.

The Chinese diplomats were Liu Jun (刘军, Counsellor, Department of North American Affairs), Shen Jie (沈杰, First Secretary, Information Department), Chi Wenyu (匙文宇, Second Secretary, Policy Planning), Zhou Yang (周洋, Second Secretary, Department of North American Affairs), Zhang Junjie (张俊杰, Third Secretary, Department of North American Affairs, Zhang Zhenliang (张振亮, Third Secretary, General Office), Li Xue (李雪, Attaché, Department of North American Affairs), Zhu Shuai (朱帅, Attaché, Personnel Department), and Xu Lang (徐浪, Department of North American Affairs).

The American diplomats were Pauline Anderson (Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy), Michael Brewer (Economic Officer, US CG in Shanghai), Andrew Duff (Economic Officer, U.S. CG in Guangzhou), Natasha Grokh (Economic Officer, U.S. CG in Shenyang), Scott Linton (Political Officer, U.S. CG in Shanghai), Mimi Lu (Trade Officer, Economic Section,), Tom Niblock (Political Officer, U.S. Embassy), and Chris Rains (Political Officer, U.S. CG in Chengdu).

Peter Gries to discuss international relations and policy at Chinese University of Hong Kong

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:38:25 +0100

Professor Peter Gries, Director of the Manchester China Institute, Lee Kai Hung chair and professor of Chinese politics, will be speaking at the Chinese University of Hong Kong next week on the subject of international relations.

In his presentation ‘Squeezed states: How diplomatic de/recognitions shape Taiwanese feelings and policy preferences towards China’, Peter will be tackling the effectiveness of moderators and mediators, policy implications for cross-Strait relations and how diplomatic de-recognitions impact Taiwan’s relationship with China.

The talk, which forms part of a luncheon seminar series, will take place at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on 17 September 2019 at 12 noon till 1pm, and the presentation will be carried out in English.

For more information, click here.

China’s Science and Technology Minister visits University of Manchester

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 09:49:01 +0100

China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wang Zhigang, got the full scope of The University of Manchester’s advanced materials research capabilities and commercial opportunities during his visit to campus.

Accompanied by colleagues from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Mr Zhigang was welcomed by the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell.

Mr Zhigang was also introduced to Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research and Nobel-prize winning physicist, Professor Sir André Geim, who was part of the scientific team to originally identify Graphene in 2004.

On arriving to the campus Mr Zhigang and his delegation visited the National Graphene Institute (NGI), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GIEC).

During that time he met James Baker the current CEO of Graphene@Manchester and emphasised the importance of adopting a long-term strategic view for scientific cooperation between Manchester and China.

The Minister also acknowledged how the University and some Chinese institutions are working collaboratively to find solutions to global challenges, such as ageing populations.

After visiting the campus, the delegation took in one of the University’s cultural assets, Jodrell Bank Observatory, which has recently joined the Great Barrier Reef, Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon National Park and Stonehenge on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

Chinese Ambassador visits the University

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:43:22 +0000

His Excellency Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, inspired the next generation of innovators during a keynote speech at the National Graphene Institute, demonstrating the strong bond between the University and China and the benefits of partnership working.

Concluding his tour of the University, Ambassador Liu said it was his third campus visit since 2015, the last time as part of President Xi’s state visit to Manchester. This visit was just as symbolic as it coincided with the 40^th anniversary of the opening up of the Chinese economy to international markets.

In his speech, Ambassador Liu stated he was impressed by the University’s discipline and innovative spirit which complemented the UK’s research strengths in science, artificial intelligence, healthcare, ageing and green growth. There is also a link between the University and China’s expertise in urban transformation, engineering, technology, aerospace and nuclear energy. With this, the Ambassador commented he saw potential University-China partnerships around the regeneration of rust belt areas and building green, smart cities of the future.

He said: "I sincerely hope that the University of Manchester will continue to leverage its strengths, deepen cooperation with China on innovation in the spirit of “knowledge, wisdom and humanity”, and enhance exchanges in personnel training and technology. I am sure you will become a leading brand of China-UK cooperation on innovation."

The Ambassador, accompanied by Madam Huping Hua, was hosted by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Confucius Institute and the Manchester China Institute.

The Ambassador's full speech can be found on the Embassy website.

University celebrates 10 years in China

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 10:44:00 +0100

The University of Manchester has celebrated a key milestone with the 10 year anniversary of launching its China Centre in Shanghai.

One of five global hubs and the largest of the University’s overseas Centres, the establishment of the China Centre was recognised by a charity event at the Sino-UK Creative Economy Business Forum, which focused on healthcare, education and art.

The event was attended by President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, along with colleagues Professor Peter Gries Director of the Manchester China Institute, Professor Elaine Ferneley, Director, University of Manchester Worldwide, and Richard Cotton Director of Student Recruitment & International Development.

Acknowledging the University’s research strengths and its global reputation for innovation, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “Manchester has long been a birthplace of creativity. The first computer was created in Manchester and more recently so was graphene. This year, the University launches Creative Manchester – a £3.3 million investment along with collaborative partnerships to support the creative sector.

“Our cultural institutes including the Whitworth, Manchester Museum, the John Rylands Library, the Centre for New Writing, the Institute for Cultural Practices, Multilingual Manchester and Digital Humanities demonstrate a long history of investment in the area.”

There are currently more than 17,500 University alumni in mainland China and more than 4,200 alumni in Hong Kong SAR.

A panel session exploring the creative economy and a souvenir sale which raised funds to support children from under-privileged backgrounds also took place. Entertainment was provided by a choir made up of the children of MBA graduates and their parents.

Professor Rothwell concluded: “In addition to continuously supporting Chinese students on campus and having established the China Centre a decade ago, the University’s engagement in China has enabled joint research and development initiatives with leading universities across China.

“The launch of the Manchester China Institute and the partnerships with Chinese universities successfully illustrates our long-term commitment to China, along with its privilege, responsibility and ability in effectively bridging China and Britain in the field of education.”

曼彻斯特中国研究院：如何看中国创新－摩拜单车入驻曼彻斯特

Thu, 03 May 2018 10:00:00 +0100

一直以来，人们都认为现代科技只能从西方传播到东方。然而，这次曼彻斯特中国研究院举办的圆桌论坛将目光聚集在了摩拜单车进驻英国的经历上，该活动聚集了各界精英学者和权威人士在曼彻斯特大学一起讨论“中国创新”的话题。

早在2001年，曼彻斯特大学经济学名誉教授吉姆·奥尼尔阁下首次提出“金砖四国BRIC”理论，预测巴西、俄罗斯、印度和中国将成为未来经济强国。2015年，习近平主席访英开启了中英关系的“黄金时代”，曼彻斯特与中国的联系也愈发紧密、愈发频繁。

曼彻斯特大学最近成立的中国研究院，得到香港商人、慈善家和曼大名誉博士李启鸿先生的慷慨捐赠，该研究院由李启鸿博士和曼彻斯特大学校长南希爵士Dame Nancy Rothwell正式启动。这笔捐赠将继续致力于促进英中两国关系发展，以及两国人民的相互理解，着重在世界领先的科学研究、社区拓展活动以及在曼彻斯特和中国的公开讲座上。与此同时，该笔捐赠还将在全英最大的大学博物馆——曼彻斯特博物馆内建立一个全新的“李启鸿中国文化长廊”，展出古代青铜雕塑、玉雕以及丝织品等文物。

曼彻斯特中国研究院院长、曼彻斯特大学中国政治专业教授Peter Gries葛小伟表示：“感谢李启鸿博士的慷慨捐赠与他的远见，让曼彻斯特中国研究院能够将英中双方的学者、企业、政府与民众聚集在一起，充分发挥英中双边关系的潜力。此项捐赠也将会把曼彻斯特推向中国研究的最前沿。”

“将摩拜单车作为我们第一次圆桌论坛的主题是具有代表意义的，它很好地展示了中国人民和英国人民是如何共同合作，并带来显著效益的。”

圆桌会议由曼彻斯特大学商学院科学与技术政策管理高级讲师Andrew James博士主持，活动还邀请到了摩拜单车欧洲区发展总监Steve Pyer，曼彻斯特英中协会执行董事Rhys Whalley，以及曼彻斯特大学商学院银行业高级讲师、社会责任与参与专业负责人Ismail Ertürk。

活动参与者还欣赏了由曼大教授、诺贝尔奖获得者－诺沃肖洛爵士受中国与石墨烯启发创作的中国水彩画展。

曼彻斯特大学校长南希爵士还表示：“摩拜单车进驻曼彻斯特、曼彻斯特中国研究院的建立都是这座城市以及大学和中国联系不断加强的一系列成果之一。2015年，我们在大学校园接待了习近平主席，今年年初我与英国首相特蕾莎·梅访华团一起前往中国，这不仅彰显了曼彻斯特大学在研究和创新领域的全球领导地位，还认同了曼彻斯特大学在英中关系中发挥的长期作用。曼彻斯特中国研究院的开启标志着曼彻斯特与中国的关系进入了一个全新的阶段。”

www.mci.manchester.ac.uk

@UoMChina

曼徹斯特中國研究院：如何看中國創新－摩拜單車入駐曼徹斯特

Thu, 03 May 2018 10:00:00 +0100

一直以來，人們都認為現代科技只能從西方傳播到東方。然而，這次曼徹斯特中國研究院舉辦的圓桌論壇將目光聚集在了摩拜單車進駐英國的經歷上，該活動聚集了各界精英學者和權威人士在曼徹斯特大學一起討論“中國創新”的話題。

早在2001年，曼徹斯特大學經濟學名譽教授吉姆·奧尼爾閣下首次提出“金磚四國BRIC”理論，預測巴西、俄羅斯、印度和中國將成為未來經濟強國。 2015年，習近平主席訪英開啟了中英關係的“黃金時代”，曼徹斯特與中國的聯繫也愈發緊密、愈發頻繁。

曼徹斯特大學最近成立的中國研究院，得到香港商人、慈善家和曼大名譽博士李啟鴻先生的慷慨捐贈，該研究院由李啟鴻博士和曼徹斯特大學校長南希爵士Dame Nancy Rothwell正式啟動。這筆捐贈將繼續致力於促進英中兩國關係發展，以及兩國人民的相互理解，著重在世界領先的科學研究、社區拓展活動以及在曼徹斯特和中國的公開講座上。與此同時，該筆捐贈還將在全英最大的大學博物館——曼徹斯特博物館內建立一個全新的“李啟鴻中國文化長廊”，展出古代青銅雕塑、玉雕以及絲織品等文物。

曼徹斯特中國研究院院長、曼徹斯特大學中國政治專業教授Peter Gries葛小偉表示：“感謝李啟鴻博士的慷慨捐贈與他的遠見，讓曼徹斯特中國研究院能夠將英中雙方的學者、企業、政府與民眾聚集在一起，充分發揮英中雙邊關係的潛力。此項捐贈也將會把曼徹斯特推向中國研究的最前沿。”

“將摩拜單車作為我們第一次圓桌論壇的主題是具有代表意義的，它很好地展示了中國人民和英國人民是如何共同合作，並帶來顯著效益的。”

圓桌會議由曼徹斯特大學商學院科學與技術政策管理高級講師Andrew James博士主持，活動還邀請到了摩拜單車歐洲區發展總監Steve Pyer，曼徹斯特英中協會執行董事Rhys Whalley，以及曼徹斯特大學商學院銀行業高級講師、社會責任與參與專業負責人Ismail Ertürk。

活動參與者還欣賞了由曼大教授、諾貝爾獎獲得者－諾沃肖洛爵士受中國與石墨烯啟發創作的中國水彩畫展。

曼徹斯特大學校長南希爵士還表示：“摩拜單車進駐曼徹斯特、曼徹斯特中國研究院的建立都是這座城市以及大學和中國聯繫不斷加強的一系列成果之一。2015年，我們在大學校園接待了習近平主席，今年年初我與英國首相特蕾莎·梅訪華團一起前往中國，這不僅彰顯了曼徹斯特大學在研究和創新領域的全球領導地位，還認同了曼徹斯特大學在英中關係中發揮的長期作用。曼徹斯特中國研究院的開啟標誌著曼徹斯特與中國的關係進入了一個全新的階段。”

www.mci.manchester.ac.uk

University takes centre stage with Prime Minister and Chinese business leaders

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:24:28 +0000

Today at the UK China Business Forum in Shanghai, President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell and Nobel Laureate, Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov of The University of Manchester addressed a group of specially selected business leaders.

Dame Nancy and Sir Kostya shared the stage with two of China’s highest-profile business people – Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group and Li Shufu, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd and Volvo Cars, as well as Theresa May and Liam Fox.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said: “I’m proud to have brought many inspirational women in my business delegation.

“Women like Nancy Rothwell, who spoke to you earlier and whose university, Manchester, has excellent links with Wuhan, the first stop on my visit, as well as across China.”

Dame Nancy and Sir Kostya were chosen as part of the current delegation in recognition of Manchester’s position as a global leader in research and innovation for example in the development of advanced materials, such as graphene, in business studies and in health innovation. It also recognises the longstanding role that Manchester and its university play in UK-China relations.

There are more than 4,800 Chinese students studying in Manchester and the University has had a centre in Shanghai since 2008 with more than 1,000 Global MBA students studying in China since it opened.

This relationship was cemented when President Xi visited The University of Manchester and its National Graphene Institute in 2015, where he met Dame Nancy, Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya and saw some of the latest developments and applications for the 2D material graphene.

During the current trip Dame Nancy has visited Manchester’s twin city, Wuhan, alongside the Prime Minister and attended the new UK CEO Council in Beijing which took place in the Great Hall of the People. Dame Nancy is a member of the Council alongside about 20 other UK and 20 Chinese CEOs of major businesses.

This marks a new stage in the Manchester’s relationship with China and follows the recent establishment of the University’s Manchester-China Institute, which was supported by a £5m donation from businessman, philanthropist and honorary graduate, Dr Lee Kai Hung.

The Institute is tasked with improving mutual understanding in UK-China relations, and the donation will also establish a new Chinese culture gallery at the Manchester Museum.

The University has also recently announced several new partnerships in China including:

The UK-China Infrastructure Academy commissioned by the Department of International Trade, led by Alliance Manchester Business School, and with partners from leading UK and international businesses with a strong Northern presence. The Academy is a major initiative, backed by the UK Government, involving CEOs, presidents and other senior delegates from Chinese business and government. Two five-day modules, covering energy and rail specialisms, will establish deep understanding into the benefits of investing in UK infrastructure and opportunities for joint investment in third party countries.
The University has this week signed a memorandum of understanding with Peking University Health Science Centre to establish a Joint Technological Platform for ‘Omics Study covering genomics, proteomics/metabolomics and data science to support the Experimental Medicine Research links between the two institutions, and between The University of Manchester and other major hospitals in Beijing, such as the 301 Hospital.
A Tsinghua University collaboration, signed in January, which focuses on health research, materials and engineering.
Another MoU signed this week with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) School of Medicine to establish a Clinical Research Methods Centre linking the Biomedical Research Centre at The University of Manchester and the Translational Medicine Centre at SJTU to support research interests at both institutions
Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) Agreement – this will see the development of joint education and research initiatives between The University of Manchester and HUST, one of China’s top universities, in Wuhan.

Dame Nancy commented: “Manchester has a vibrant Chinese cultural and business community and the country’s links with the University are growing all of the time.

“It was therefore an honour to be chosen by the Prime Minister for this delegation, to join the UK-China CEO forum and to have the opportunity to speak to fellow universities and some of China’s major businesses about ways in which we can work together to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.”

曼彻斯特大学与英国首相及中国商界领袖共登中心舞台

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:00:00 +0000

今日，在上海举行的中英商业论坛上，曼彻斯特大学校长南希·罗瑟薇教授、女爵士和曼彻斯特大学教授、诺贝尔奖获得者科斯特亚·诺沃肖洛夫爵士向来自中英两国的商界领袖致词。

南希女爵士和科斯特亚爵士与两位中国知名商界人士 ——阿里巴巴集团创始人兼董事局主席马云和浙江吉利控股集团有限公司董事长兼沃尔沃汽车集团董事长李书福，以及英国首相特蕾莎•梅、英国国际贸易大臣利亚姆·福克斯同台进行了演讲。

南希女爵士和科斯特亚爵士获选访华代表团成员，不仅彰显了曼彻斯特大学在研究和创新领域的全球领导地位，例如，石墨烯等先进材料的发展，商业研究和健康医疗等方面的创新；同时也认同了曼彻斯特大学在英中关系中发挥的长期作用。

曼彻斯特现有超过4800名中国留学生。2008年，曼彻斯特大学在上海设立了中国中心，迄今在中国培养了超过1000名工商管理硕士。

2015年习近平主席对曼彻斯特的访问更加巩固了曼彻斯特与中国的密切关系。习主席访问了曼彻斯特大学及下属的国家石墨烯研究院，会见了南希女爵士、安德烈·盖姆爵士和科斯特亚爵士，并了解了二维材料石墨烯的最新发展和应用。

此次英国首相对中国的访问中，南希女爵士陪同梅总理一起访问了曼彻斯特的友好城市武汉，并出席了在北京人民大会堂举行的新一届英国首席执行官协会会议。除南希女爵士之外，与会的还有40多位英中两国主要企业的首席执行官。

曼彻斯特大学最近成立的中国研究所，得到了著名商人、慈善家和名誉博士李启鸿先生慷慨捐赠的500万英镑。在此基础之上，南希校长和科斯特亚爵士此次随代表团访华标志着曼彻斯特与中国的关系进入了一个全新的阶段。

曼彻斯特中国研究所的任务是增进英中两国的相互了解。李博士的捐助同时也将帮助大学在曼彻斯特博物馆建立一个全新的中国文化长廊。

曼彻斯特大学最近还宣布了一批与中国开展的最新合作，包括：

由曼彻斯特商学院领导、英国与世界知名企业支持、英国国际贸易部委托成立的英中基础设施学院。学院在英国政府的支持下，吸引中国企业和政府的首席执行官、总裁和其他高级代表的参与。两个各为期五天的课程模块包括了能源和铁路专项领域。它将帮助学员深入了解投资英国基础设施的益处以及联合投资第三方国家的机遇。
曼彻斯特大学本周与北京大学健康医疗科学中心签署了一项谅解备忘录——建立一个涵盖基因组学、蛋白质组学/代谢组学和数据科学的联合组学技术平台，以增强两机构间以及曼彻斯特大学与北京其他大型医院（如解放军总医院）之间的实验医学研究联系。
一月份签署的与清华大学合作开展研究的协议。研究项目包括医疗研究、材料和工程研究。
本周与上海交通大学医学院签署的谅解备忘录——建立一个临床研究方法中心，以联系曼彻斯特大学生物医学研究中心与上海交通大学转化医学中心，促进共同研究。
与位于武汉的华中科技大学签订合作协议，将促进曼彻斯特大学与中国顶尖理工大学之一的华中科技大学之间的联合培养和研究项目的发展。

南希女爵士表示：“曼彻斯特不仅拥有充满活力的中国文化和商业社区，曼彻斯特大学与中国的联系也在不断加强。”

“被首相选中参加访问代表团并参与英中CEO论坛是我的荣幸。这使我们有机会与其他大学和中国的重要企业畅谈如何通过合作来解决我们共同面临的急迫难题。”

‘Graphene-like’ nanocomposite battery boost for smartphones, tablets and laptops

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 11:23:58 +0000

Scientists have a developed a new nanocomposite material that boosts battery life and improves the performance of everyday gadgets such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Working with researchers from Henan Polytechnic University in China, scientists from The University of Manchester’s School of Materials have developed the nanocomposite which combines the chemical structure of Lithium ion batteries with MXene, a 2D material with a ‘graphene-like’ structure and other unique properties. The research is being published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds.

Lithium ion batteries are the battery of choice for all major smartphone and tablet manufacturers such as Samsung, Apple and Sony. They are also used in many other gadgets ranging from digital cameras to wearable tech like Fitbits and smartwatches.

These kinds of batteries are popular with the manufacturers because they have higher power density, larger power output and a longer lifecycle when compared to previous battery technologies. But they do have some major disadvantages as well, such as poor electronic conductivity, which can impact on performance.

Dr Xuqing Liu, from the School of Materials, explains: ‘We have successfully prepared a novel hybrid nanocomposite which has an excellent electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries.

‘This exceptional electrochemical performance can be attributed to the improvement of electronic conductivity by nano-size lithium particles in the composite. This means the developed nanocomposite has an excellent capability for energy capacity and retention.

‘Nanocomposites are used as building blocks to design and create new materials with unprecedented flexibility and other much improved physical properties and attributes.

‘Simply put, it delivers much better energy storage, capacity and performance than current lithium ion batteries.’

MXene is used for several different purposes beyond energy storage, including sticking atoms together – a process known as adsorption. The 2D material itself is just few atoms thick and made up of layers of metal carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides.

The isolation of graphene at Manchester led to the discovery of a whole family of 2D materials which can be combined with graphene to create new 'designer materials'. Combinations of these 2D materials are called heterostructures - tiny towers with different layers of different materials.

Any combination is possible which means new materials can be created from the ground up on an atomic level. Nanocomposites measure between 1 to 100 nanometres, which is just 0.0001 millimetres.

Dr Liu added: ‘Energy storage is one of MXene’s most promising areas and, due to its excellent electrical conductivity, it can be used as an additive in composite materials to decrease resistances and improve electron transfer in nanocomposites.

‘This could change the way our everyday gadgets are charged. Lithium ion batteries have already meant longer battery life, but this will be the next step in that technological evolution.’

The full paper, ‘The Novel Li4Ti5O12/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite as a high rate anode material for lithium ion batteries’, will be published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds - doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.11.164

Advanced materials

Advanced materials is one of The University of Manchester’s research beacons - examples of pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships that are tackling some of the biggest questions facing the planet. #ResearchBeacons

Visionary gift endows new Manchester China Institute

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:45:25 +0000

A new £5m donation will allow The University of Manchester to establish a major centre for China studies. It will seek to improve mutual understanding in UK-China relations, and establish a new Chinese culture gallery at the Manchester Museum.

The donation, by retired Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist and Honorary Graduate of the University of Manchester, Dr Lee Kai Hung is a major investment which will promote world-leading research, community outreach activities, and public lectures in Manchester and China.

It will also create a new ‘Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery’ at the Manchester Museum, the largest University museum in the UK, displaying artefacts such as ancient bronze sculptures, carved jade and textiles.

With growing links between Manchester and China, and the global significance of Chinese policies such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy, the Manchester China Institute is set to play a major role in improving understanding between the China and the UK.

The Centre’s new Director is Professor of Chinese Politics Peter Gries, who has worked extensively on China’s foreign relations.

He said: “The UK and China lie on opposite ends of the Eurasian landmass which is the focus of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy. Manchester, in particular, has a large Chinese community and historic ties with China which were only strengthened by the visit of President Xi to Manchester and the University in 2015.

“To realise the full potential of UK-China bilateral relations, however, greater mutual trust and understanding are urgently needed. We are therefore extremely grateful to Dr Lee for his generous gift, which is set to put Manchester at the forefront of China studies in the UK.”

As well as research, the Centre will have a particular emphasis on working with the local Chinese community and the thousands of Chinese students in the city. It will also seek to serve local businesses and promote peaceful UK-China relations.

Manchester has more academics engaged in China and China-related studies than almost any other UK university – working on everything from the arts and humanities to health and science.

It also has a Confucius Institute which focuses on teaching Chinese. The new Manchester China Institute will be based in its own listed historic building, which will be named in honour of Dr Lee.

Dr Lee said: “The development of China-UK relations is a subject very close to my heart, so I am delighted to be able to help create this Institute at The University of Manchester. China’s ties with this city, the university and the many Chinese staff and students make this an ideal place to locate the Institute and the China Gallery.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester said: “We are very grateful to Dr Lee for this gift, which will greatly increase knowledge in a subject of global significance. Alongside the important research outputs, this gift will enable the greater promotion of understanding between the two countries, not least through the programme of outreach and the new gallery at the Manchester Museum.”

Find out more at Manchester.ac.uk/mci or @UoMChina

有識之士慷慨捐贈新曼徹斯特大學中國研究院踏上征程

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

近日，一筆五百萬英鎊的捐款將促成曼徹斯特大學建立一所英國領先的中國研究院。此項捐款意在尋求增進英中雙邊的相互理解，並在曼徹斯特博物館建成一條中華文化廊。

此筆捐款是由前香港商人、慈善活動家、曼徹斯特大學榮譽畢業生李啟鴻博士捐贈的。它將作為一項主要投資用於促進世界領先的科學研究、社團拓展相關活動以及在曼徹斯特和中國國內的公開講座和報告。

此筆捐款也將用於在全英最大的大學博物館—曼徹斯特博物館創建全新的“李啟鴻中華文化廊”，展出中國古代的銅雕、玉雕以及紡織品等各種文物。

曼徹斯特和中國的聯繫日益加深，中國的“一帶一路”等戰略決策在全球範圍內影響深遠，在此形勢下，曼徹斯特中國研究院必將在增進中英互信方面發揮重要作用。

該研究院的新任院長、中國政治教授葛小偉(Peter Gries)是中國國際問題研究的著名學者。他說：“英國和中國分別位於亞歐大陸的兩端，是‘一帶一路’政策的焦點所在。尤其是曼徹斯特這座城市，有龐大的華人聚居區，在歷史上與中國就有密切聯繫。這一聯繫在2015年習近平主席訪問曼徹斯特和曼徹斯特大學以後得到了進一步增強。然而，要充分發揮中英雙邊關係的巨大潛力，急需進一步的彼此信任和理解。因此我們非常感謝李啟鴻博士的慷慨捐贈，此項捐贈將會把曼徹斯特大學推向中國研究的最前沿。”

除了科研方面，曼大中國研究院也將特別關注與曼徹斯特當地的華人社區以及成千上萬的中國留學生之間的協作，並且尋求為當地工商業服務，促進英中友好關係的不斷發展。

在曼徹斯特大學，致力於中國相關研究的學術人才的數量超過任何其他英國高校，這些學者活躍于藝術、人文、健康以及科學等各個領域。曼徹斯特大學也設有孔子學院，主要專注於漢語教學。新成立的曼徹斯特中國研究院將坐落於英國政府登記在冊的歷史保護建築之內，新學院大樓將以李啟鴻博士的名字命名。

李啟鴻博士說：“中英關係的發展是我一直關心的課題，因此我非常高興能夠幫助在曼徹斯特大學創建這所研究院。中國與曼徹斯特這座城市、曼徹斯特大學及其廣大師生之間的紐帶使得曼徹斯特成為設立中國研究院和中華文化廊的最理想的地點。”

曼徹斯特大學校長、爵士南茜·羅茲韋爾(Nancy Rothwell)教授說：“我們非常感謝李啟鴻博士的饋贈，它將極大地推進我們對這門具有全球意義的學科的研究。伴隨著重大科研成果的問世，特別是通過這個項目的進行以及曼徹斯特博物館新的中華文化廊的建立，這筆捐贈將為進一步增進兩國之間的相互理解提供無限可能。”