Representatives from Renmin University of China Law School visited the Manchester China Institute (MCI) at The University of Manchester on 9 October 2026 to discuss possible academic collaboration. The talks focused on joint research, seminars, academic visits and exchanges, with both sides exploring how legal scholarship and interdisciplinary research on China could be linked more closely.
Key facts
- The visit took place on Friday 9 October 2026 at the Manchester China Institute in Manchester.
- Professor Yang Dong, Dean of Renmin University of China Law School, attended with Dr Li Xiuqi.
- They were welcomed by Professor Lei Chen, MCI Director and Chair of Comparative Law, and Ms Yannan Yu.
- The discussions considered a sustained academic relationship between the two institutions.
- Possible areas of collaboration included joint research, seminars, academic visits and engagement between early-career scholars.
What does this mean for students and researchers?
The talks point to possible new routes for academic exchange, particularly for early-career scholars and researchers working on China, comparative law and related fields. If the institutions move forward, the most immediate benefits would likely come through seminars, visits and research collaboration rather than a formal programme already in place.
For students and researchers, the practical significance is that MCI and Renmin are considering a longer-term relationship that could widen access to scholarly discussion and cross-institutional contact. The visit also signals that legal scholarship is part of MCI’s wider work on China’s economy, society and governance, which may be relevant for those seeking interdisciplinary research links.
How are the two institutions positioning the partnership?
Both sides described the meeting as a chance to explore how Renmin’s strengths in legal scholarship could complement MCI’s interdisciplinary research on China. The conversation was framed around closer institutional connections and a sustained academic relationship that would support research and knowledge exchange.
For MCI, the visit also fits its stated commitment to advancing understanding between Britain and China through research, education and public engagement. Closer links with Renmin could strengthen MCI’s international academic network while connecting legal research to broader debates about China.
What could the collaboration include?
The institutions discussed several possible forms of cooperation, including:
- joint research projects
- seminars
- academic visits
- exchanges
- engagement between early-career scholars
The discussions did not announce a formal agreement, but they did establish a clear set of areas for future cooperation.
Why does this matter for China-focused legal scholarship?
The meeting brings together Renmin’s legal expertise and MCI’s broader China-focused research agenda. That combination could support comparative analysis and deeper discussion of China’s changing legal landscape, especially where law intersects with wider questions about economy, society and governance.
For universities, the visit is a reminder that international academic partnerships often begin with exploratory meetings before expanding into structured collaboration. In this case, both institutions signalled interest in building connections that can support research, teaching and public engagement over time.
