Celebrating 20 years of XJTLU

The beginnings

We have been working with XJTU, one of China's oldest and most prestigious universities, for over 40 years. It is firmly established as a research intensive university across a range of disciplines, and provides programmes across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our early work together laid the foundations for the creation of XJTLU.

The collaboration between the University of Liverpool and XJTU is truly unique, starting as far back as 1980.

Explore the partnership timeline:

1980 - Professor Michael Fang is invited to spend three weeks at Xi'an Jiaotong University.

1980s - The Chinese government initiates a programme to modernise and internationalise its universities.

1983 - Professor Fang begins to visit XJTU each year, encouraging many Chinese staff to visit Liverpool.

2000 - The Chinese ceremonial archway is constructed in Chinatown, Liverpool, marking the twinning of Shanghai and Liverpool.

2003 - First talks on co-operation between University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University.

2006 - XJTLU is officially approved and opens, with Professor Fang as Executive Vice President.

2016 - The first cohort of Year in China students spend a year at XJTLU.

2016 - Professor Michael Fang, Professor Jianhua Wang and Professor Sir Drummond Bone receive Honorary Degrees in recognition of the crucial roles they played in establishing XJTLU.

2020 – New Academy of Pharmacy is launched.

2022 – XJTLU Entrepreneur College opens in Taicang.

2024 – The University of Liverpool welcomes the first cohort of students on the Taicang 2+1+1 programme, students spend three years at XJTLU and one year in Liverpool.

2025 – Over 15,000 students have graduated from the 2+2 programme where students spend two years at XJTLU and two years in Liverpool.

2025 - Professor Youmin Xi is honoured with a University of Liverpool Fellowship.