On 30 September 2026, the Chinese Embassy in the UK hosted a reception for the Study Tour Pioneering Scheme for China-UK Youth Mobility. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang attended and addressed the reception. Also present were Lord Jo Johnson, a member of the UK House of Lords who has been committed to promoting UK student exchanges with China in recent years, and heads, faculty and student representatives from 14 UK universities.

In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng outlined China’s achievements in education and introduced the Study Tour Pioneering Scheme for China-UK Youth Mobility. He noted that over the past 77 years since the founding of New China, China’s education system has made historic advancements and provided strong support for China’s modernisation. China is now stepping up efforts to build a stronger education sector, strengthen sci-tech development and deliver more progress in talent cultivation. At the same time, China is committed to opening up its education sector and expanding international exchanges and collaboration.

Ambassador Zheng pointed out that China and the UK have a long history of cooperation in education and research and of student exchanges. Cooperation between UK universities and their Chinese partners has always been conducted on a voluntary basis and in compliance with laws and regulations. Such cooperation serves the interests of both sides. It is gratifying to see that in recent years, UK universities have actively participated in programmes such as the Study Tour Pioneering Scheme for China-UK Youth Mobility and the Young Envoys Scholarship Programme and have sent students to China on study tours. He welcomed more UK universities to take part in study tours to China.

Lord Johnson and heads of UK universities also spoke at the reception. They spoke highly of the important role of the Study Tour Pioneering Scheme for China-UK Youth Mobility and the Young Envoys Scholarship Programme in promoting student exchanges between the UK and China. They said that study tours to China are immensely beneficial for British students in broadening their horizons and enhancing their academic knowledge and capabilities, and that they would organise more students to take part in study tours to China.

Three UK student representatives who took part in this year’s study tour to China shared their experiences. They said that the trip to China gave them the opportunity to engage with and learn from Chinese students, see at first hand China’s advanced infrastructure and rapidly growing technology sector, and experience the depth and richness of Chinese culture, making the tour an unforgettable experience that would benefit them for a lifetime. They also said that they would encourage more of their fellow students to join study tours to China.

The Study Tour Pioneering Scheme for China-UK Youth Mobility is led and implemented by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under China’s Ministry of Education. It aims to promote student exchanges between Chinese and UK universities.