Initiated by the Beijing-based China-European Union Association and the University of East London, the project would organize training courses for China's local officials and company managerial personnel, and education programs open to all, said Chen Haosu, president of the association.

"The project establishes a new platform for the China-EU and China-Britain cooperation," he said.

The China-EU Association, founded in 2001, focuses on bilateral exchanges and cooperation in political, economical, cultural fields as well as local government affairs between China and the EU and its member countries.

Christopher Owen Hum, Britain's ambassador to China, said the project added "a new element to the already flourishing education cooperation between Britain and China."

With over 12,000 students, the century-old University of East London has already conducted research cooperation and inter-campus exchanges with Chinese universities.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2003)