News & Media

Science Diplomacy: Strengthening UK Links with the China Earthquake Administration

23rd October 2025

In June 2025, the UK Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET) welcomed a delegation from the Institute of Geology at the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) to formalise two decades of collaboration through a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Building on Twenty Years of Partnership

The delegation visited both the University of Bristol and the University of Leeds (COMET’s co-lead institutions), where CEA members shared their research and future visions while learning about COMET’s work and strategic plans.

This partnership has already shown remarkable results, with at least 60 co-authored papers published over the years and numerous joint research projects that have advanced understanding of seismic and volcanic hazards. Following on from a productive high-level visit from the CEA last year, the new MoU will significantly strengthen these ties, offering new opportunities to reduce the social and economic impact of seismic or volcanic events and build global resilience to natural hazards.

***^{Co-Authored Earthquake Science Picture Book with the CEA, Oxford & Cambridge}***

Advancing Global Safety Through Science

By deepening this collaboration, both organisations aim to advance current understandings of earthquakes and volcanoes, with the ultimate aim of enhancing protection for citizens, not just from the UK and in China, but across the globe. The partnership represents a clear example of how international scientific cooperation can address challenges that transcend national borders.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the CEA and COMET will explore the possibility of co-founding a major international science programme focused on frontier research in earthquake and volcano science. This ambitious initiative would unite organisations, scientists, data, and funding from both nations, fostering open collaboration and knowledge sharing while establishing robust frameworks for seismic and volcanic data exchange to enhance monitoring and analysis.

***_{COMET and the CEA presentations, June 2025}***

The partnership will explore several collaborative opportunities, including:

Academic Exchange and Development

Student and faculty exchanges to share ideas and expertise,

Joint PhD supervision programmes, linking UK and Chinese institutions,

Shared research initiatives with combined funding support.

Fieldwork and Innovation

Conducting joint field studies and expeditions to active seismic and volcanic regions,

Development of a pioneering ‘Joint International Research Laboratory of Earthquake and Volcano Sciences’.

_{Visit to the University of Bristol as part of the delegation visit: Professor Shan Xinjian (Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration) and Dr Sam Wimpenny (COMET, University of Bristol)}

The Bigger Picture

This collaboration exemplifies COMET’s commitment to international partnership and diplomatic engagement through science.

By developing sustained, long-term relationships with key global partners, COMET demonstrates how scientific cooperation can serve as a bridge between nations, creating mutually beneficial knowledge exchange that ultimately serves humanity’s common interests in understanding and preparing for natural hazards.