On December 7, 2017, the inauguration ceremony of “Manchester Cloud” (Mcloud) was held at the Silk Elite, Shanghai’s fashion and cultural landmark on Wuyi road in the city centre. Distinguished guests from the British Consulate General in Shanghai, the Manchester-China Forum, the University of Manchester Alumni clubs, Alliance Manchester Business School, Xu Beihong Painting Academy, and the Silk Elite attended the ceremony.

Distinguished guests attended and witnessed the inauguration ceremony of “Manchester Cloud”

Affiliated to Manchester-China Forum and the University of Manchester China Centre, Mcloud links Chinese and British government organizations, Sino-UK talents in arts, science and technology to build a bilateral people-to-peoplediplomatic platform. Mr. Wai Kit Ho, Consul Bilateral at the British Consulate General in Shanghai, delivered a speech. 

The presidents and leaders of China and Britain have decided to jointly build a comprehensive Sino-UK partnership, oriented toward the 21st century global strategy and a lasting, open and win-win "Golden Era" of Sino-UK relations. The two countries have signed agreements in science and technology on intergovernmental cooperation and agreements or memorandums among over 20 closely relevant and corresponding Sci-tech counterparts. China and Britain have also allocated 2 billion pounds to fund joint scientific innovations. Some major science and technology cooperation programs and projects that are currently under implementation include: the Sino-British Science Bridge Program, the New Energy and Renewable Energy Plan, and the Sino-British Innovation and Cooperation Program. The two countries have been constantly engaging in cultural interchanges and communicationswith many exchange visits between cultural groups and a variety of exhibitions as regards cultural relics and art. Relevant institutions in the United Kingdom have been and will continue to actively support more non-governmental exchanges, providing the original impetus to the successful launch of Mcloud.

Mr. Wai Kit Ho, Consul Bilateral at the British Consulate General in Shanghai

Ms. Sherry Fu, Founder of Mcloud and Director of the University of Manchester China Centre, emphasized in her speech that the establishment of Mcloud is a result of the deep-rooted Sino-UK partnerships that are moving towards a"Golden Era". 

Mcloud brings together outstanding artists from both countries to carry out cultural and arts exchange activities, promoting the spirit of ingenuity and providing space for inheritance and innovation for the protection of non-heritage culture, cooperates with universities in China and Britain to support the investment in research and development projects for transformation of outstanding science and technology, and cooperates with well-known entrepreneurs and industries leader to provide career training and entrepreneurship advice for young people in China and the United Kingdom.

Mr. David Percival, Chairman of Manchester-China Forum and Managing Director of Deloitte International Business, extended his warm congratulationson the launch of Mcloud and expressed appreciation to Ms. Sherry Fu, Manchester-China Forum Envoy, for her contribution and hard work in making this happen. 

Britain is China's second largest trading partner, the second largest investment destination and the second largest source of actual investment within the EU and China is Britain's second largest trading partner outside the EU. The United Kingdom is one of the earliest European countries that have conducted educational cooperation and exchanges with China and is the largest education destination in the EU for Chinese students. China has 150,000 overseas students studying in the UK and there are about 7,000 UK students studying in China. There is sincere hope that Mcloud, affiliated to Manchester-China Forum, will contribute to the bilateral economic, trade, scientific and cultural exchange and cooperation between China and the UK.

Ms. Sherry Fu, founder of Mcloud and Mr. David Percival, Chairman of Manchester-China Forum

At the ceremony, distinguished guests from China and the UK and Manchester alumni also witnessed the signing ceremony of the strategic alliances between theUniversity of Manchester China Centre and the Silk Elite. The Silk Elite – Manchester Cloud will become an alumni base for the University of Manchester alumni community while the University of Manchester China Centre will provide the Silk Elite members with training opportunities for career development.

From left toright: Prof. Fiona Devine, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester, Mr. Liu Dejun, Chairman of the Silk Elite, Ms. Sherry Fu, Founder of Mcloud, Professor Stuart Hyde, Alliance Manchester Business School Deputy Head of School and Research Director

The Silk Elite is a brand of silk fashion accessories which integrate into Chinese arts & culture, a platform leading Eastern lifestyle that combines fashion and aesthetics.

Founded in 2008, the University of Manchester China Centre has actively engaged in the exchanges and cooperation in culture, education and commerce between China and the UK and has built long-term partnership with China’s top institutes and developed strategic alliances with industry-leading companies regarding talent development and management. After 10 years of endeavor, the University of Manchester China Centre has become a leader in the field of international business education in China region and will continue to be a world-class provider of international education.