Shi Yigong, CPPCC member and president of Westlake University:

“Our goal is to transform Westlake University into a world-class institution. Some may ask why I am so confident: the reason is simple. Westlake University was born during a period of rapid development in China’s higher education. Its new model is the natural product of the country’s higher education evolution.

“China still has a long way to go in the field of basic research. What is more, the current level of innovative research is still not sufficient to fully meet the country’s demands for social and economic development. Cutting-edge and advanced technologies are not something that can simply be bought off the shelf: it is something that can only come from within. This therefore, for me, is our primary goal and mission here at Westlake University.”