To build a global strategic partnership network, promote the building of a “Double-First Class” university, attract outstanding talents, strengthen the cooperation with Université d'Orléans, University of Dundee and University of St Andrews, and support China-France and China-UK people-to-people exchanges, Yi Hong,Secretary of the CPC Committee ofCSU,led a delegation on a 8-day working visit to France and Britain from June 9 to 16, 2018.

On June 11, Yi Hong with his delegation, accompanied by Yang Jin, Minister Counselor of the Education Office, Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the French Republic, visited Universitéd'Orléans. Both sides elaborated on the operation of their respective universities, and had an exchange on student exchanges and research cooperation in the fields of geology and environment. They discussed the joint application for the establishment of a Confucius Institute, and signed the Letter of Support in this regard. After the talks, President Ary Bruand of Universitéd'Orléans and Vice Mayor Martine Grivot of Orléans escorted the delegation to visit the premises provided by Universitéd'Orléans for the proposed establishment of the Confucius Institute.

Group picture in front of the premises provided by Université d'Orléans for the proposed establishment of a Confucius Institute

Yi Hong and Principal Pete Downes of the University of Dundee ink the Letter of Intent on the joint establishment of a joint research institute

From June 12 to 14, Yi Hong and his delegation visited the University of Dundee in Britain. Both sides exchanged views and reached a consensus on the joint build of a joint research institute, and inked the Letter of Intent in this regard. Both sides had a communication on the joint application for a Chinese-foreign cooperative school, and agreed to submit the application to education authorities of both countries at an early date.

In the afternoon of June 13, the delegation visited the University of St Andrews. Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in the field of medicine and inked a Memorandum of Understanding.

During their visit in France, the delegation also held a recruitment fair for overseas talents at the Education Office, Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the French Republic, which was attended by nearly 100 people, including job applicants from France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany as well as local alumni.