Over 100 Imperial alumni gathered at Tsinghua University in Beijing on 13 May for the College's largest ever alumni event in the Chinese capital.

Imperial’s Professor of Mechanics Jianguo Lin delivered a special lecture on lightweight manufacturing and President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions set out the vision for the College’s new campus, Imperial West.

Opening the event, Sir Keith said: “It’s fantastic to see so many alumni here today. Imperial and China have a lot in common. We share the same commitment to excellence in science and innovation."

Professor Lin explained how his team at Imperial are working with manufacturing technologies that are having a major impact on automotive and aerospace industries: from F1 cars to Long March Rockets. He illustrated the importance of engineering reliable equipment, showing film clips of aircraft losing their wings mid-flight.

Sir Keith said: “Prof Lin captures what Imperial is about: taking outstanding academic research and applying it in the real world. 

“This reflects our vision for Imperial West, our new London campus. At Imperial West, we will bring together thousands of leading-edge researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Businesses and leading universities from around the world will co-locate - global partners in a global city. We will create a campus ecosystem which will be a magnet for talent and enterprise."

President of Tsinghua University and Imperial alumnus Professor Chen Jining (Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD 1992) reminisced about his time at the College: “I miss a lot about Imperial and London: the weather, M&S, the BBC, Hyde Park, and most of all student life. But I’m delighted to see Imperial here. This is Sir Keith’s third official trip to China as Rector. Imperial cares about China. There’s a special link between Imperial and China and we are stronger together.”