The agreements and partnership were made public on Monday 23 March during a return visit led by Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, following a visit to the UK by Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST (GZ), in June 2025.
Accompanying the delegation was Bristol's Lord Mayor Henry Michallat, who, along with Sarah Mann, the British Consul General in Guangzhou, and representatives from the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office and Education Bureau, witnessed the signing ceremony and the inaugural event.
The two universities co-hosted a high-level roundtable discussion themed ‘25 Years of City Partnership: University Collaboration as a Catalyst for China-UK Relations.’
The roundtable brought together leading scholars, experienced diplomats, and industry leaders from the fields of higher education, international development, and related industries to engage in in-depth discussions on how universities can enhance bilateral relations.
This significant gathering coincides with the recent visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China, further underscoring the ongoing development of Sino-British relations and promoting cultural exchange.
Prior to the roundtable, President Ni hosted a breakfast working meeting with Professor Welch and Mayor Michallat, followed by a substantial discussion on implementing the strategic partnership between the two institutions.
President Ni expressed heartfelt gratitude to Professor Welch and Mayor Michallat for their visit during this important milestone.
Professor Ni said: “One of the key missions of the University of Bristol is to serve the city of Bristol, just as we are committed to supporting the development and prosperity of Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area.
“Our educational philosophies are highly aligned. I firmly believe that by continuously deepening the strategic partnership between our two universities and creatively advancing the Guangzhou-Bristol Young Ambassador programme, we can effectively transform academic cooperation into a sustained momentum for enhancing Sino-British people-to-people exchanges and solidifying our bilateral friendship. Guangzhou and Bristol will remain friends for generations to come.”
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: "It is wonderful to be here in Guangzhou in Guangdong province with the Lord Mayor of Bristol to celebrate twenty-five years as twin cities. There is no better example of what it means to be a global-civic university than this alignment between our two cities and our two universities. We look forward to deepening our partnership with HKUST Guangzhou in service to our joint mission to solve some of the world's most pressing urban issues from healthy aging to climate adaptation."
Councillor Henry Michallat, Lord Mayor of Bristol, said: “We deeply value the relationships we hold with all of our international partners. We cherish every opportunity to strengthen these bonds between our city and communities beyond our borders. I am grateful for the welcome, hospitality and friendship shown to us by our hosts in Guangzhou. It’s clear from our time together that our two cities share many priorities, particularly in the delivery of high-quality education, and that we have much we can learn from each other.”
Sarah Mann, the British Consul General in Guangzhou, said: "It’s truly a pleasure to witness the agreement signing between the two universities. The UK is committed to supporting continued international collaboration in higher education. Today's forum well reflects the same sense of drive in the scientific and educational partnerships between University of Bristol and HKUST GZ."