On Monday, 8 September, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will formally open the
Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building in the grounds of St Hugh’s College. The
University of Oxford has been regarded as Europe’s leading centre for the study of China for some time. The Centre now has a dedicated building bringing its academics with an interest in China under the same roof.
The royal couple will be met by members of staff, students and friends of St Hugh’s College before being taken on a tour of the new £21million China Centre Building. They will also be introduced to major donors including Hong Kong philanthropist, Mr Dickson Poon CBE.
Mr Poon, who contributed £10million to the new building, explained why he felt Oxford was the right place in the West for a new dedicated centre of scholarship on China. Mr Poon said:
‘I believe China will become an even more significant world force this century, requiring a deeper understanding by the West. Oxford already has a proud history in the study of China, and I was delighted to make this gift to help advance knowledge, collaboration and understanding in all aspects of Chinese culture.’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will officially open the China Centre Building by joining others in a traditional Chinese ribbon-cutting ceremony in its courtyard garden.
I don't like to see pictures like this, as delightful as they are. I just think, "If a camera can get that close, so can a gun."
