On March 30, 2020, the Institute of International Studies at Shandong University held an online video conference with relevant experts and scholars from Lancaster University, and conducted candid exchanges on academic cooperation and student cultivation in related disciplines. The conference was attended by leaders from the Foreign Affairs Office of the Weihai Municipal Government, chaired by Professor Zhang Yunling, President of the Institute of International Studies and member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

 Professor Zhang first introduced the academic advantages, the international development strategy and the development of British Studies Center at Shandong University. Professor David Higgitt, Academic Dean of Lancaster University, introduced the educational cooperation between Lancaster University and Chinese universities. Then Professor Zhang Jingquan, Vice Dean of School of Northeast Asia Studies of Shandong University, introduced the international talent training plan of the School. Professor Robert Geyer and Professor Zeng Jinghan from the Department of Political Philosophy of Lancaster University talked about the feasibility of cooperation between Lancaster University and Shandong University in the fields of humanities and social sciences such as international politics and international relations. Yu Guochun, Deputy Director of Weihai Foreign Affairs Office, introduced the cooperation Weihai and Lancaster had achieved over the years, and communicated and coordinated the recent Weihai assistance to the British anti-epidemic materials arrangement. Professor Wei Wenzhong and Associate Professor Hao Yanwei from Shandong University Business School also participated in the video conference. Finally, Professor Zhang Yunling made a concluding speech, fully affirmed the achievements of this unprecedented video conference, and agreed on specific arrangements for implementing the consensus between both parties.

Lancaster University was founded in 1964 and is an internationally renowned university, ranking among the top ten universities in the UK. The British Studies Center of the Institute of International Studies, Shandong University was established in January 2020. It is a research institution jointly established by Shandong University and Weihai City Government. It aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Britain in the field of economy, technology, and education.