On April 10, 2025, President Dou Xiankang met with the UK Higher Education Mission to China.

President Dou Xiankang extended a warm welcome to the UK Higher Education Mission and expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the UK universities over the years in committing to the Sino-UK cooperation in basic sciences. President Dou Xiankang stated that the United Kingdom ranks among the top in the Global Innovation Index and holds a leading position in basic research globally. NSFC attaches great importance to cooperation with the UK. Over the years, NSFC has continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the British Council (BC), the Royal Society (RS), and the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in aspects such as strategic dialogues and project funding, achieving remarkable results.

President Dou Xiankang emphasized that China's scientific research has achieved steady progress, and its attractiveness to global scientific research talents has been increasing as well. In the future, it will attract more foreign researchers to study and work in China. Therefore, NSFC is willing to work together with the UK partners. Taking this meeting as an opportunity, and under the guidance of the Sino-UK Joint Committee for Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation, the two sides will continue to conduct in-depth discussions and reach a consensus on the key issue of the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talents. Efforts will be made to deepen and expand the Sino-UK joint funding mechanism for basic sciences, comprehensively strengthen the cooperation between China and the UK, and Europe at large, in academic exchanges and talent cultivation, so as to open up new paths for Sino-UK cooperation in basic sciences and create a new situation in international scientific research cooperation.

Daniel Brooker, Director of UKRI China, delivered a speech on behalf of the UK side. He summarized and reviewed the achievements and experiences gained from the Sino-UK cooperation in basic sciences and commended the important role played by NSFC in this process. Daniel Brooker stated that UK institutions are willing to strengthen cooperation with NSFC in areas such as climate change, green development, and human health, so as to provide scientific support for addressing global challenges.

Dr. Fan Yingjie, Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of NSFC, Daniel Brooker, Susan Welburn,  Executive Dean of Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Chris Whitehead, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, Liam Smeeth, Director and Vice-Chancellor of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and others gave reports and engaged in discussions and exchanges on topics such as international cooperation, interdisciplinary research, and the cultivation of young scientific research talents.

Representatives from twelve UK universities, China offices of Universities UK, UKRI, BC and other institutions participated in the meeting and discussions. Dr. Lyu Qunyan, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Programs and relevant personnel from the European Affairs Division also attended the meeting.