University helps forge better China links

A UK university has become only the third in Europe to open a business-focused institute that will help to improve links with China.

Situated at the University of Leeds, the Leeds International Business Confucius Institute will help businesses understand their Chinese counterparts better with courses on offer to firms of all sizes.

The courses are designed to help participants understand Chinese culture and etiquette and teach them Mandarin. These seminars, which are backed by the Chinese Ministry of Education, are suitable for those already trading in China or those companies that are looking to do so in the future.

The institute opened on Wednesday and a ceremony took place to celebrate the university's long-standing links with China. The other two business-focused Confucius Institutes in Europe are based at the University of Copenhagen and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Leeds centre is a partnership with the University for International Business and Economics (UIBE), one of China's leading universities.
 
The institute was opened by Professor Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, and Professor Shi Jianjun, President of UIBE.

Professor Arthur said: “Businesses and entrepreneurs in Yorkshire will be welcomed alongside students and scholars at the Leeds International Business Confucius Institute.

“We are delighted and honoured to host this institute, which is great news for Leeds, Yorkshire and the north of England.”