Professor Cheng Yuqi graduated B.Sc. in Geography and Geology in 1933 from the Quinghua University in China and immediately began work on the geological survey of China. In November 1935 he came to Liverpool to study under Professor H.H. Read (George Herdman Professor of Geology, 1931-38) and graduated Ph.D. in July 1938 with a thesis on 'Geology and geomorphology of North Sunderland' (copy in Harold Cohen Library, University of Liverpool, ref. Thesis 615 and 615A).

Professor Cheng Yuqi served the State Geological Survey of China for over half a century, for many years as Chief Geologist of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources. In July 1988 Professor Yuqi returned to Liverpool to receive an honorary doctorate of science, the text of the Public Orator's address being published in The University of Liverpool Recorder, no. 104, Feb. 1989, pp. 40-1. It was on his visit to the University that he made available various publications etc. to Professor Harris.