Chambana Sun

Gov. Bruce Rauner promoted the ongoing relationship between the University of Illinois and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, during his recent international trade mission, according to a press release.

“It is our great honor to host you and your delegation,” Party Secretary Zou Xiaodong said, according to the release. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship between Zhejiang University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the areas of engineering, entrepreneurship, science, technology transfer and cultural exchange to improve our partnership in developing the next generation of global leaders.”

The two schools offer a joint program, reflecting the strong interest of Chinese students in the University of Illinois and Illinois schools in general, the release said.

Gov. Bruce Rauner | Courtesy of Illinois.gov

“Illinois ranks fifth in the nation in attracting Chinese students to its universities, generating $350 million for our state’s economy,” Rauner said in the release. “We want to be the center where these students choose to learn and grow. But we also want Illinois’ students to have the opportunity to study in China to further strengthen our Sino-American relations.”

Rauner and Zou also discussed increased cooperation on life sciences and research and development.