New Hong Kong Office opens
28 Nov 07
The University opened a new office in Hong Kong on 23 November to provide a new focus for Oxford’s relations with China.
The China Office Hong Kong will enable the 1,600 Hong Kong alumni to connect both with Oxford and each other and to learn about the latest research and developments at Oxford.
The office will also help to develop academic links with China, provide information for prospective Chinese students, develop links with the press and the media in Hong Kong and China and develop relationships with potential benefactors.
Oxford already has strong links with China, with around 700 Chinese students in Oxford at any one time, the second highest number of international students after the United States, there is also a China Oxford Scholarship Fund providing support for graduate students specifically.
Oxford is also engaged in academic projects with Chinese universities. In a collaboration between the University’s Clinical Trial Service Unit and the Chinese National Centre for Disease Control, funded by the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation in Hong Kong, a chronic disease study has been established which will enrol 500,000 people for 10-20 years.
Dr Jon Dellandrea, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Development and External Affairs, said: ‘The University has a long-standing relationship with China, dating to the 17th century. Today Oxford is the leading centre for the study of China in Europe, with over 35 China-focused academics. This office is an integral part of the University of Oxford’s international strategy, and demonstrates the importance of Hong Kong and China to our present and our future.’ Dr Frank Pieke, Director of the University of Oxford’s China Centre, said: ‘The academic study of China is thriving in Oxford. Our research spans most disciplines, from Chinese art and archaeology, through politics and economics, to environmental change and epidemiology. The opening of the office is an excellent development in our relationship with China and a great start to an exciting year for us: we will launch the China Centre in Oxford in May.’
Sir David Akers-Jones, former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong and one of the key supporting alumni, said during the opening ceremony: ‘Hong Kong, China and the Chinese people are all experiencing unprecedented industrial and commercial development as well as technological and social change. Given its size, its rapid growth and the increasingly important role it is playing on the world stage, it is only fitting that China should be a focus for one of the world’s great universities. I look forward to the insight Oxford academics will continue to bring to the study of Chinese affairs and to the role they can play in educating China’s best students.’