China - Introduction

Oxford University's engagement with China began in the 17th century, when the Bodleian library acquired its first Chinese manuscript (1604) and the University welcomed its first Chinese visitor (1684). We established our first professorship of Chinese in 1875, and introduced a BA in Chinese in 1939.

In 1994, Oxford University founded the Institute of Chinese Studies and in 2007 it opened the Oxford China Office in Hong Kong to focus on Oxford’s relations with China. In 2008, the University launched the University of Oxford China Centre, the largest centre of its kind outside of North America. Work began in October 2012 on the Dickson Poon China Centre Building at St Hugh’s College, a new and dedicated building for China-related study.

Oxford University Press in China was first established in the early 20th century, but was re-established in 1961 in Hong Kong after the two World Wars. It now operates in four other offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Macao and serves millions of English language learners and readers in the country.