Liu Xia, deputy mayor of Wuxi, delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of Nanwai King's College Wuxi on Aug 23. [Photo/WeChat account: Nanwai King’s College Wuxi]

According to Wuxi deputy mayor, Liu Xia, the school marks a great step in the development of the city's education system. "It will wipe out the concern about education of the children of returned overseas Chinese talents and foreigners who work, start up businesses, and live in Wuxi and its surrounding areas," Liu said.

He added that having a strong education system will help to attract top minds to Wuxi, as well as optimizing its investment environment and competitiveness.

Zou Zheng, principal of Nanwai, and Dong Zhengjing, general principal of the new school, both hoped that the cooperation in Wuxi would be a success and that the formula could be replicated elsewhere in Jiangsu.

Dong said he expected the students to be proficient in foreign languages, master both science and liberal arts, have both strong bodies and independent minds, and develop distinct personalities.