Cardiff Business School strengthens international partnership with tri-university annual conference
1 October 2026
The Centre for China Business Research (CCBR) has co-organised the 2026 Cardiff-Xiamen-Newcastle Tri-University Annual Conference.
Its theme, Reformation and Innovation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Technologies, and New Economies, explored wealth inequality and social mobility.
Professor Peng Zhou, Director of CCBR and the Cardiff Confucius Institute - also a joint initiative between Cardiff and Xiamen Universities - delivered the opening address and a keynote speech, marking Cardiff University’s active and continuing role in the partnership.
Professor Peng Zhou said:
Some conferences offer breadth; others provide depth. The Cardiff-Xiamen-Newcastle conference belongs to the latter. Over more than a decade, it’s helped us deepen the partnership between our three institutions, advance meaningful collaboration and foster enduring friendships.
Hosted in Xiamen 7-10 September 2026, the conference brought researchers from Cardiff Business School, Newcastle University Business School and Xiamen University School of Management together.
It reflected the three institutions’ shared commitment to international research, education and knowledge exchange.
Linking with the recent strategic delegation visit to China, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Professor Urfan Khaliq added:
“By bringing scholars together around shared priorities, the Tri-University Conference gives practical expression to Cardiff University’s Global-Civic mission.
“It strengthens international partnerships that support future-oriented research and creates lasting opportunities for collaboration, exchange and global engagement.”
Established in 2015, the annual conference has become a valued forum for scholars and doctoral researchers to share ideas, build connections across disciplines and identify opportunities for joint research, celebrating the enduring collaboration and partnership among the three universities.
Xiamen University was Cardiff University’s first Strategic Partner, with Cardiff and Xiamen as twin cities since 1983.
The institutional and civic links have fostered collaboration and mobility in research and education, alongside long-standing cultural exchange between Wales and China.
The conference also advances Cardiff University’s Global-Civic mission by strengthening international partnerships that support future-oriented research and create lasting opportunities for global engagement.
Find out more about The Centre for China Business Research (CCBR).
