Strengthening ties between China and Cardiff were on the agenda when Ambassador Zheng Zeguang visited the Welsh capital with topics from education, business and culture all discussed.

At Cardiff University, the Ambassador met university President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Colin Riordan on Thursday and they looked at ways to enhance cooperation.

The ambassador was returning back to his alma mater after 36 years and he found out about the university's latest progress in teaching, scientific research and exchanges with Chinese universities in recent years. 

Prof Riordan said that Cardiff University has established long-term relations with Xiamen University, Beijing Normal University and Peking University in China. 

These projects have been well received by teachers and students, and have played an important role in the improvement of teaching and research on both sides. 

Currently, the university has nearly 4,000 Chinese students who have come over and are excelling with the facilities available to them, while the hope is to have more exchanges which are in person and not just online after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The university is also keen to strengthen cooperation with Chinese industry, so that scientific research can be put into practice.

Zheng Zeguang congratulated the university on the great changes that have taken place over the years. Calling it a first-class research university, the ambassador commended the university' historical heritage, as well as its open and diverse campus culture, and the huge progress made in recent years under the leadership of Prof Riordan. 

For China, it appreciates Cardiff University's firm commitment to promoting China-UK educational exchanges, and is grateful for the care given to Chinese students during the epidemic. 

The ambassador recalled his experience as a student of Cardiff University College in the 1980s when China was in the early years of reform and opening up. Since then, China has undergone tremendous changes, the country's strength and people's living standards have improved significantly, and socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. 

China is undergoing comprehensive and deeper reforms, and is opening up to the outside world, as it continues to encourage Chinese universities to deepen cooperation with Cardiff University. 

The ambassador said he hoped that Cardiff University would continue to play an exemplary role in China-UK educational exchanges and cooperation.

Also during his visit Zheng met with Councillor Graham Hinchey, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and they also discussed strengthening the friendly relationship between China and the city.

Mayor Hinchey warmly welcomed the Ambassador to Cardiff and talked about the redevelopment that has taken place, bringing about a boost to the economy while maintaining its historical and cultural traditions. There has been particular progress in technology, education and culture.

The Mayor said that Cardiff sees the opportunity for cooperation and development with cities like Xiamen. He pointed out that Chinese enterprises were welcome and he hopes that more Chinese students and tourists will come to study and visit.

Noting Cardiff's profound historical and cultural heritage, advanced education, and remarkable progress in urban construction and technological innovation, Zheng said that Cardiff had always been at the forefront of British cities working in cooperation with China. 

At the same time the Chinese government supports Xiamen and other cities in actively expanding friendly cooperation with Cardiff. It is hoped that the two sides will further tap the potential of cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, investment, science and technology innovation, education, culture, tourism, and sports, and that the results of this will bring more tangible benefits to the people of both sides.

Zheng updated the Mayor on China's economic development and China-UK economic and trade cooperation. 

By coordinating epidemic prevention and control measures with economic and social development efforts, China has effectively protected the lives and health of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, and at the same time ensuring that the economy operates within a reasonable range, he said. 

Despite the current rising global political and economic instability and uncertainty, China, with its significant strength in political leadership and social system, a solid foundation accumulated over 40 years of rapid development and a long-term stable social environment, and a complete industrial structure and rapidly improving innovation capabilities, will maintain economic stability and long-term growth. 

China is willing to share development opportunities with other countries in the world, including the UK, and actively expand mutually beneficial cooperation. It is hoped that Cardiff will continue to play an exemplary role in China-UK sub-national cooperation.