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British Ambassador visits Xi’an to strengthen links with Northwest China

Dame Barbara Woodward, the British Ambassador to China, starts her first official visit to Xi’an on 12 October.

British Ambassador visits Xi’an to strengthen links with Northwest China

British Ambassador visits Xi’an to strengthen links with Northwest China

Dame Barbara Woodward, the British Ambassador to China, today starts her first official visit to Xi’an, Shaanxi province to further enhance cooperation and links between the UK and Northwest China.

During her two-day visit, the Ambassador will attend a series of events covering a wide range of areas including business, culture and heritage, science and innovation, and education. The visit reflects the breadth of the UK’s engagement in this historic and dynamic city and the region.

The Ambassador will have meetings with the Governor of Shaanxi Province and the Mayor of Xi’an. She will attend the launch of the China Britain Business Council Belt and Road report; visit the Rolls Royce joint venture with AVIC; and speak at the launch of the joint institute between Northwestern Polytechnic University and Queen Mary University of London - a milestone for the internationalisation of higher education in this region. She will also meet with Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage and representatives from the Terra Cotta Museum and Shaanxi Museum to further explore cultural cooperation.

The Ambassador will also launch the UK’s new visa application centre in Xi’an. The centre is making it even easier for people in the region to apply for a UK visa to visit and see all the UK has to offer.

Dame Barbara Woodward, British Ambassador to China said:

I am delighted to officially visit this important and beautiful city. Xi’an and Shaanxi province play an important role in China and in our bilateral relationship.

The UK is committed to engaging with China’s dynamic and fast-growing provinces, and my visit reinforces our commitment in Northwest China. The UK has a great deal to offer Xi’an, Shaanxi province and the Northwest region in China.

I look forward to a fruitful visit, a prosperous future for the UK –China relationship and even stronger links with Xi’an, Shaanxi and Northwest China.

Published 12 October 2016