LONDON, April 16 -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), paid a visit to Oxford University and met with its Vice Chancellor Andrew Hamilton on Monday.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau, said Oxford University, which is well known all over the world, has made great contribution to a better understanding between the Chinese and British people.

The visit came on the same day when China and Britain launched a new cultural "dialogue" to enhance people-to-people contact.

"This will provide new opportunity for Oxford University to strengthen cooperation with China. We would like to work together with our British colleagues to find out new forms of cooperation," Li said.

He added that the Chinese government would support Oxford University in the area of China studies so that the British people can have a better understanding of China.

Hamilton said Oxford University, which has a history of 400 years of interactions with China, is committed to China studies and has played a unique role in introducing China to the world and strengthening ties between the two countries.

During Li's visit, National Library of China signed several cooperation agreements with Oxford University.