UK education institutions are warmly invited to Xi’an, China, to attend an Education Roundtable focusing on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on 11 May 2018. Organised by the British Council in partnership with Shaanxi Education Department, the event will focus on understanding the education priorities of the BRI and explore opportunities for UK-China collaboration in higher education.

Furthermore, the event will coincide with the 3rd Silk Road International Exposition (SRIE) from 11 to 15 May. The UK is the country of honour at the SRIE, providing UK participants with an excellent platform to discuss opportunities around the BRI with national and local leaders.

Details

Time: 14.00 – 15.30, 11 May 2018

Venue: Golden Flower Hotel, Xi’an

Agenda:

14.00 – 14.05              Welcome speech

14.05 – 14.35              The BRI and China’s Education Development Plan  

14.35 – 15.05              Case studies of BRI partnerships: benefits, challenges, and gaps

15.05 – 15.25              Discussion: opportunities for UK-China collaboration

15.25 – 15.30              Summary and agreed action plans

About Xi’an and Shaanxi Province

Xi'an, as the provincial capital of Shaanxi, is the starting point of the ancient silk road and represents a microcosm of China's rapid development. It has great ambitions to become an international tier 1 city and is positioned as the starting point of President Xi’s BRI.

Shaanxi province has a population of over 37 million and an annual GDP of $300 billion, which is comparable to Hong Kong and Singapore.

About the Silk Road International Exposition

Since launching in 2016, the SRIE has become one of the most influential exhibitions and commercial cooperation platforms on the BRI in China. Last year, more than 300 companies from 42 countries attended the event, in addition to many of China’s most influential trade and investment companies. 

This year, Xi’an will host the SRIE from 11 to 15 May. The SRIE will be jointly organised by China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Ministry of Commerce.

As the country of honour, the UK will host a national pavilion to demonstrate its cultural assets, competitive industries, and excellence in social development. It will also showcase its achievements and prospects for collaboration in the areas of trade, tourism, energy resources, and more.