Mobike lecture adds pedal power to new Manchester China Institute

LONDON, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Scholars and businesspeople debated the experience in Britain of China-based Mobike at a special event Wednesday to officially open the new Manchester China Institute at the University of Manchester.

Set up with the support of Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist and honorary graduate of the University of Manchester, Dr Lee Kai Hung, the institute will work to improve understanding between Britain and China by promoting world-leading research, community outreach activities, and public lectures in Manchester and China.

The institute was officially opened by Lee and University president and vice-chancellor, professor Dame Nancy Rothwell.

Lee's gift will also create a new Lee Kai Hung Chinese culture gallery at the Manchester Museum, the largest university museum in Britain, displaying artifacts such as ancient bronze sculptures, carved jade, and textiles.

Steve Pyer, Mobike's European development director told how the bike-sharing company had successfully expanded to become available in 200 cities around the world, including Manchester, which became the firm's first UK location in 2017.

Pyer and other panelists debated opportunities for China to export technology to the West.

Institute director professor Peter Gries said: "The Manchester China Institute is now able to bring together the large and extremely talented research community at the university with businesses, policy makers, and the public, both here in the UK and in China. Having Mobike as the subject for our first debate is symbolic, it shows how well Chinese and British people can work together to everyone's benefit."

Attendees also viewed an exhibition of Chinese watercolor paintings by Nobel Laureate professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, and Wang Ying, the education counselor of the Consulate General of China.

Lee said: "China may be the world's second largest economy, but the many stories that we read about China on a daily basis are often far from complimentary. The mission of Manchester China Institute is to generate understanding, trust, harmony and peace between the people of China and Great Britain." Enditem