Chinese overseas students welcome more UK-China academic support

Chinese students at British universities see President Xi Jinping's visit last week, as a sign of cooperation between the two countries, although they want more support from their home country.

"I feel so proud of the visit but I wish China can give more support to students who study overseas. To study in the UK, Chinese students pay 10 times more than local students. This means that a lot of brilliant students from China cannot afford to study aboard, to explore a different kind of education," said Eco Li, a student doing a Digital Asset and Media Management PhD at Kings College London.

"Though the visit of President Xi, and because of an increasing cooperation between China and the UK, I wish Chinese students who study aboard can also receive more support from the country," Li said.

International students are having a tough time in the UK as Home Secretary Theresa May plans tighter rules for student' visas this year. The proposals may include tougher English language requirements, with proof of more financial savings on arrival.

However, Chinese students who study science and technology might not have to worry. A series of new UK-China education and research collaborations were announced when Xi visited Imperial College and University College London.

The China UCF Group, a financial services firm, announced that it would donate £3 million to support research at Imperial's Data Science Institute and the Hamlyn Centre for Medical Robotics, both of which were visited by Xi.

"I noticed that the president visited the big data lab in Imperial College. It uses advance technology to analyze how the Chinese massive developments are, which can affect the other parts of the world. Having access to such technology can be really useful for China to set a better development plan," said Leo Wang, a civil engineering student of Imperial College London.

"I see the Chinese president's visit to the college as a sign of strong diplomatic relationship between the UK and China, especially in the education sector," Wang said.

The Chinese Scholarship Council also announced plans for leading Chinese scholars and students to come to Imperial College London.

On the first day of Xi's visit, a lot of Chinese students lined the Mall, waving flags to welcome the Chinese President as he travelled with Queen Elizabeth in a state carriage to Buckingham Palace. Hao Wu, a politics undergraduate of Kings College London, was one of them who woke up at 5 in the morning to come and witness the parade.

"When I saw a lot of Chinese and British flags, and banners displayed in the mall to welcome the President, it was the first time I felt the cohesion of our nation in a foreign country. I feel so proud of my country when I saw the carriage passing through with President Xi, Lady Peng, and the Queen," Wu said.

Charlotte Chen, a History of Art undergraduate at University College London, told China Daily: "I think the visit of President Xi can significantly help improve relationship between China and the UK. Throughout the visit, President Xi showed his hopes for a coherent cooperation between China and the UK, which is a positive sign to Chinese students. After all, a good relationship between China and the UK is what we are hoping for. "

Qizhi Jiang, studying mathematics with finance and management at Kings College London , said the visit of President Xi provides an opportunity "to further encourage cultural and academic exchange in between young people of the two countries, together with the year of China-UK Cultural Exchange this year. I hope to see more new products or chances coming up. "

To contact the reporter: kwokkaren@gmail.com