On 21 June, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang paid a visit to the University of Edinburgh, during which he met with Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University Peter Mathieson and toured the University's Bayes Centre and FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility.

During his meeting with Principal Mathieson, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang noted that the University of Edinburgh is a world-renowned university and one of the best in the UK. Because of its strong teaching and scientific research strength and a good international reputation, the University has become one of the most popular among Chinese students seeking further studies in the UK. There are currently around 7,600 Chinese students studying here. The Ambassador thanked the University for providing the Chinese students with a safe learning environment and support accordingly during the pandemic. In recent years, the University of Edinburgh has developed practical cooperation and two-way exchanges with top Chinese universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University, which have resulted in mutual benefits. Ambassador Zheng hoped such cooperation will continue to deepen and further promote the development of both sides.

Ambassador Zheng also shared information with Principal Mathieson about the important achievements of China in coordinating pandemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and also the progress in China's education reform and development in recent years. He stressed that China adheres to the “dynamic zero” policy, always giving top priority to people's lives and health, and thus, China's infection and fatality rates maintain the world's lowest. China is making every effort to contain the new outbreak of Omicron variant and promote comprehensive and orderly resumption of work and production. He said China has the confidence in achieving the important targets for economic and social development this year. China's education sector will also maintain the momentum of rapid development as it will stay committed to high-quality development and opening up. The UK has its unique advantages in the field of innovation, while China owns the most patent applications in the world with a huge market for technology applications. It is in the interests of both sides to strengthen China-UK educational exchanges and scientific research cooperation. Ambassador Zheng hoped that the University of Edinburgh will keep on playing an active role in China-UK educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Principal Mathieson said that China is an important partner of the University of Edinburgh and the Chinese students are an important component of the University's diversified cultures. During the pandemic, the Chinese students have overcome difficulties, showed strong resilience in their studies and achieved good results. The University welcomes more outstanding Chinese students and looks forward to resuming mutual faculty and student visits with Chinese universities once the pandemic is over, so as to further deepen the exchange and cooperation in the fields of teaching and scientific research.

Chinese Consul General to Edinburgh Ma Qiang, Counsellor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, Minister Counsellor Zhang Jin, Minister Counsellor Zeng Rong and Counsellor Zhang Limin of the Chinese Embassy in the UK were present at the meeting and tours.