Education and the purpose of philanthropy

Chengdu rated most livable city

Jiaxiang Foreign Languages School (JXFLS), a private school in Chengdu attached to Chengdu No 7 Middle School, for instance, has established a formal relationship with Brockenhurst College in the UK.

The two sides will strengthen communication and exchanges in education concepts, education models and personnel training to cultivate students with a global perspective. They are also planning to jointly build an international bilingual school where students can get diplomas from both schools by 2016 in Chengdu’s Chengduhua district.

Jiaxiang has set corporate ties with other international schools as well, including San Domenico School in the US, and St. Francis Methodist School in Singapore.

"Chengdu is a city with ambition and foresight. The city government and education bureau have been striving to provide the best international education as well as a free and open educational environment," said Di Roberts, chancellor of Brockenhurst College.

Although Chengdu is located inland, Roberts regards it as among the best places in China to seek educational cooperation.

In recent years, Chengdu has introduced 35 bilateral educational cooperation programs from the best schools in the world. During their visit to China, both British Prime Minister David Cameron and US first lady Michelle Obama shared time with local school students and they spoke highly of education in Chengdu.