Your Royal Highnesses The Duke of Cambridge,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a real pleasure for me to once again visit the University of Oxford and join you at the opening of the Dickson Poon China Centre building. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I warmly congratulate the China Centre of Oxford University on this very memorable day.

Today’s event reminds me of a Chinese saying:

‘Giving wings to a tiger’.

This means favorable conditions will redouble a success. In the Chinese culture the tiger is formidable animal and deemed as king of beasts. Oxford shares the strengths and character of a tiger for its premier importance in China study . The study of China at Oxford University reaches right back into the 17th century and has achieved unrivalled leadership and acclaim across the world.

The Dickson Poon building opened today boasts a great variety of modern facilities and multiple functions. It provides strong material foundation for the research of scholars working here.

In June of this year Professor Cheng Hong, wife of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, visited Oxford. She brought a large number of Chinese books and publications. I heard the books and literature will find their place here in the China Centre. I am sure that Professor Cheng Hong will be delighted at this news.

I believe this brand new building and the valuable books will ‘add wings’ to the study of China at Oxford University.

I hope that Oxford University will build upon strong academic traditions, pool together strengths in different disciplines, keep pace with the latest trends and accomplish greater academic achievements.

I look forward to the China Centre of Oxford University making great contributions to strengthening China-UK cultural and academic exchanges and becoming a powerful new force for promoting stronger and better understanding and friendship between the people of our two countries.

As you may know, today is Chinese Mid-autumn Festival. So I wish everyone a happy Mid-autumn day.

Thank you.