Oxford and China
Since the study of China began at the University in the 17th Century with the Bodleian Library's acquisition of its first Chinese manuscript, Oxford has enjoyed a long-standing intellectual relationship with China. In the 21st century, that bond continues to grow through academic collaboration and scholarship.
- The University appointed its first Professor of Chinese in 1876, James Legge, whose translations of the Confucian Scriptures are still studied today.
- The Bodleian Library houses one of the oldest and largest collections of Chinese materials in Europe.
- The University's Institute for Chinese Studies features a library dedicated to the study of China, academic offices, a common room, a language laboratory and facilities for receiving satellite broadcasts in Chinese.
- In 2008, Oxford launched both a new, one-year graduate MSc in Modern Chinese Studies and the University of Oxford China Centre, which enabled many departments to integrate Chinese Studies into their programmes.
- Oxford’s scholarly engagement with China is not confined to Chinese Studies but is integrated throughout all academic divisions. The Blavatnik School of Government recently hosted Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, as the opening speaker in the seminar series ‘Conversations with Global Policy-makers’.
Today the University has over 600 Chinese students and 140 Chinese academics and Oxford is a world-leading centre for the study of China, collaborating on joint research with Chinese institutions.
- Collaboration between Oxford and Chinese academics includes projects in sustainable water resources in China, fossil archaeology in Chengjiang, clinical cardiovascular trials, a study of genetic variants affecting mental health, and technology transfer and innovation.
- The Li Ka Shing Foundation supports a series of partnerships, teaching and research projects in infectious diseases, partnering Oxford with Shantou University.
- The presence of the Oxford University Press and the University’s China Office in Hong Kong highlights the ever growing relationship between Oxford and China. Established in China in 1961, OUP employs over 200 members of staff and produces almost 500 titles every year.
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'China & Oxford: Strengthening a longstanding relationship'Main photograph by Joseph Caruana, DPhil Astrophysics (Christ Church College)