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Lancaster University spearheads closer links between Chinese, British companies

Xinhua, April 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

China's Vice Consul General in Manchester Zhou Haicheng hailed a new partnership that will forge research and development links between Britain and China, at a ceremony at Lancaster University in Northern England on Wednesday.

The ceremony witnessed eight international research partnership agreements signed between Chinese and British businesses.

The eight partnerships have been established as part of the Lancaster-China Catalyst Program. The aim is to help small and medium-sized British firms gain access to contacts and business networks within China's Guangdong province by partnering with the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

"Chinese investments and trade with the UK is the highest in Europe. This achievement could not be done without the joint efforts of businesses and universities of both countries," Zhou said, adding he hoped more businesses would become involved in the program.

Each project will involve graduate researchers from science, technology, engineering, design and management disciplines, working within partner companies to develop products and services as part of their studies for an MSc in international innovation.

The program aims to create 240 jobs, help 400 domestic businesses, and boost the British economy by more than 60 million U.S. dollars.

Nick Burd, director of the Lancaster China Catalyst Program, said, "These agreements are just the first cohort of what will be more than 60 partnerships forged through the Lancaster China Catalyst program and we are currently seeking more businesses to join the program."

A spokesman for Lancaster University said: "This graduate support program will help to produce a new generation of employees with the skills to help the UK become more competitive globally in the future."

Lancaster University has a national reputation for working with small and medium-sized enterprises in Britain. Since 1998, the university has worked with more than 5,000 SMEs to help provide economic growth. Endit