China's growing appeal to international students is driving deeper academic cooperation between the United Kingdom and China, said a British headmaster during an interview.
Christopher Hattam, headmaster of Austin Friars School in northwest England, emphasized the shared educational values and cooperation opportunities between the two countries during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Austin Friars School upholds values of unity, truth, and love, which resonate with its Chinese counterparts, fostering mutual respect and cooperation, according to Hattam.
"It is incumbent upon us I believe for educators to find many different opportunities, and China presents opportunities. I've come here, I've been welcomed into an education system which I recognized. My colleagues here in China, in only the last few days, have shown us such synergy with the educational values that I hold and we hold in Austin Friars. I think we both got an opportunity here for the UK and China to set an example for us to show how well it can work in a really well-managed process," he said.
According to official data in late 2024, China has signed mutual recognition agreements for degrees and diplomas with 60 countries and regions, and students from 195 countries and regions have come to China to study.
China has established over 30 Luban Workshops in Asia, Europe and Africa, and provided vocational training to more than 31,000 people, the official said.
When asked how British schools can prepare students to engage with China, Hattam highlighted the rich educational history between the two nations.
"There is already a rich history regarding education between the two nations. The UK has a globally renowned education system. I believe its our privilege and our duty to share that with others when and where we can. We've got the opportunity through this to show our children how partnerships can work to benefit all of us, and how we should celebrate difference, not fear it. I think that our societies are different and we should all be proud of our identity. But we must accept others for who they are as well. And I think a truly confident culture doesn't have to be proud or to celebrate at the cost of the others," he said.
According to the recently released 2025 Report on Chinese Students' Overseas Study, the UK has overtaken the U.S. as the most popular destination for Chinese students for the first time since 2020, thanks to its shorter academic programs and relatively stable political environment.
China's growing appeal to int'l students spurs UK-China academic collaboration: educator
