Links between Bristol and its Chinese sister city Guangzhou have become stronger with the opening of an office dedicated to representing UWE Bristol in southern China.
The office will initially have two representatives who will promote the university as a source of higher education and partnerships.
Guangzhou, China’s third-largest city with a population of 12.8m, has strong business and cultural ties with Bristol. The fast-growing city is also a major manufacturing centre and significant education hub. 
UWE international office director David Caine said: “China is a big market for us both in terms of student recruitment and partnerships. The main function of the office will be to support these activities in south China.
“Staff will attend education fairs, liaise with partner institutions and agents, and interview students who are interested in coming to UWE. They will also carry out pre-departure briefings for students.”
The office complements UWE’s base in Shenyang in north-east China, which provides similar support for the north of the country.
Senior staff from UWE’s admissions and international development department signed the agreement during a recent visit to Guangzhou.
The delegation was welcomed by vice mayor Lim long, members of the Guangzhou University Town Board, and the Guangzhou International Innovation Development and Construction Headquarters, as well as Zen QingChun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangzhou municipal government.
Among the Bristol visitors were Bristol China Partnership (BCP) and West of England China Bureau (WECB) chief executive Dianne Francombe, who said: “This is a momentous occasion and will further cement the strong relationship between Bristol and Guangzhou.
“Having a permanent presence in Guangzhou will raise the profile of the innovative and creative city of Bristol as well as UWE. I am delighted that the BCP & WECB have been able to help in facilitating this contract with a significant government bureau in Guangzhou.”
