Realcan, a major Chinese biomedical service provider is teaming up with Cardiff University to explore research opportunities (China Daily, 2017).

Realcan will provide £1m of funding to Cardiff University over a three year period. The investment will allow PhD students with Realcan to partner with Cardiff University’s clinicians and biomedical scientists as well as Realcan research fellows. The focus of the research will be in line with the university’s key research themes in cancer, integrative biosystems, neuroscience, immunology, infection, inflammation, and other areas.

Wang Yongli, Minister Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in London, welcomed the announcement, saying “China has a long record of working with institutions in Wales, and indeed the whole of the United Kingdom, and we warmly welcome this agreement between Cardiff University and one of our most successful companies.”

Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said “Our links with China are strong and I am delighted that we have the opportunity to further develop our already successful research partnerships in the country.” He said Realcan shares “our vision for world-leading research to tackle pressing global health challenges” and said the investment will “enable us to invest in the brightest and best postgraduate researchers.”

Xu Han, Chairman of Realcan, praised the biomedical and clinical work carried out by Cardiff University and described it as a world leader in this type of research. He said “The world faces many health challenges and it is only through working closely together across countries and continents that we can make a real difference to people’s lives.”