Nanjing University Leaders Visit United States and Chile to Enhance International Exchanges and Cooperation
Recently, Yang Zhong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University, led a team to visit the United States and Chile to promote our university’s foreign cooperation and exchanges, which was a complete success.
On May 23, Yang Zhong and his delegation arrived in New York, USA. On the morning of the 24th, Yang Zhong visited the Language Center at the United Nations Headquarters and held talks with Qu Hui, the head of the Language Center, Chang Zhuting, the head of the Chinese Teaching Group, and He Yong, the former head of the Chinese Group, on continuing to develop and strengthen cooperation in Chinese training for UN staff. Since 2004, our school has cooperated with the UN Chinese Group to hold the Nanjing University UN Staff Summer Chinese Training Course, training about 900 staff members from various UN agencies, which has effectively promoted the influence of Chinese in the United Nations and received praise from all parties. Yang Zhong said that this year is the 20th anniversary of the project, and he hopes to take this opportunity to continue to deepen cooperation. The two sides had a heated discussion on strengthening language teaching and policy research in line with the needs of the times.
On the afternoon of the 24th, the Nanjing University Promotion Conference was held in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Yang Zhong introduced the development achievements, discipline development plans and goals, and related policies of Nanjing University in recent years to the young scholars studying and working in the United States. The participants gave enthusiastic feedback and conducted extensive and specific consultations and exchanges on related matters. Yang Zhong answered the concerns of the participants one by one, encouraging young scholars to seize opportunities, find the right direction, and realize their life ideals.
Later that day, Yang Zhong held a symposium with some NTU alumni in New York. In a warm, pleasant and frank atmosphere, they discussed how to promote Sino-US humanities education exchanges under the new situation. The alumni were very concerned about their alma mater, were very proud of its achievements, and put forward many enthusiastic suggestions.
On the 25th, Yang Zhong and his delegation visited Huang Ping, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in New York. Huang Ping introduced the current situation of Sino-US exchanges, especially cultural exchanges, and fully affirmed the achievements made by Nanjing University in the past in research and exchanges with the United States. He hoped that Nanjing University would concentrate its resources to play a greater role in implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States last year and strengthening cultural exchanges. Yang Zhong introduced the exchanges and cooperation between our university and the United States in recent years, and had an in-depth discussion with Consul General Huang Ping in many fields of Sino-US exchanges.
On the 26th, Yang Zhong and his delegation arrived in Chile and met with the Chinese director and teachers of the Confucius Institute jointly established by our school and the Catholic University of Chile. They learned about its latest school operations in detail and fully affirmed the achievements made by the Confucius Institute.
On the morning of the 27th, Yang Zhong visited the Americas Headquarters of China Railway Construction International Group, one of the partner institutions of the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile, and listened to the work introduction of the group. He also discussed with Li Xuemei, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Americas Headquarters, on how overseas educational institutions such as the Confucius Institute and Chinese companies can better cooperate and support each other. It is reported that the group has carried out a series of infrastructure and other engineering construction projects in Chile and other Latin American countries, making important contributions to local economic construction and employment.
On the afternoon of the 27th, Yang Zhong went to the Chinese Embassy in Chile to meet with Ambassador Niu Qingbao. Niu Qingbao highly praised the work of the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile and hoped that Nanjing University could use the Confucius Institute as a platform to carry out broader and deeper exchanges and cooperation with Chile. The two sides exchanged views on the specific direction and methods of cooperation.
Afterwards, Yang Zhong and his delegation went to the Observatory of the University of Chile and met with Vidal, the director of the Department of Astronomy of the University of Chile, Zhang Zheng, the chief engineer of the South American Astronomical Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other heads of institutions and scientists. Yang Zhong introduced the leading strength and achievements of Nanjing University in the field of astronomy among Chinese universities, and Vidal and others introduced Chile’s unparalleled advantages and resources in astronomical observation. Both sides expressed their strong interest in conducting scientific research cooperation with complementary advantages and mutual benefit and win-win results, and look forward to further promoting specific matters in the future.
On the 28th, Yang Zhong attended the Council of the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile as the Chinese Chairman. Marshall, Executive Vice President of the Catholic University of Chile, Ferreira, Vice President of Foreign Affairs, Song Jishu, General Manager of Phoenix Publishing and Media Co., Ltd., and the Chinese and foreign directors of the Confucius Institute attended the Council. Yang Zhong emphasized the mission and importance of the Confucius Institute, affirmed the achievements of the Confucius Institute, and expressed warm congratulations on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute and the completion of the new office. He emphasized that this is not only the result of cooperation, but also confidence and expectations for the future. It is hoped that in the future, we will continue to rely on the high-quality resources of the three parties, use the Confucius Institute as a platform, deepen multi-field and multi-level cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, contribute to the cause of cultural exchanges between China and Chile, and jointly write a new chapter in the friendship between China and Chile. The meeting reviewed and approved the Confucius Institute’s 2023 annual work report, 2024 annual work plan and financial budget.
That afternoon, a series of activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile were held. Former Chilean President Frei, Chinese Ambassador to Chile Niu Qingbao, and Director of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrialan and other guests attended the event. The first ceremony was the opening ceremony of the new office of the Confucius Institute. In the presence of about 50 guests and teachers, students and staff, President Sanchez of the Catholic University of Chile and Yang Zhong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University, and other representatives of the two schools jointly cut the ribbon for the new building. The first official event for the opening of the new site of the Confucius Institute was the unveiling ceremony of the Phoenix Library. The library was mainly donated by Phoenix Publishing and Media Co., Ltd., and President Sanchez and General Manager Song Jishu jointly unveiled it.
At 6 pm, more than 200 guests, including leaders from Nanjing University, Catholic University of Chile and Phoenix Publishing and Media Group, teachers and students of the Confucius Institute, gathered together to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute. President Sanchez, Executive Vice Secretary Yang Zhong, General Manager Song Jishu, Ambassador Niu Qingbao, Director Ariyalan and others delivered speeches in succession, and Secretary-General Zhao Lingshan of the China International Chinese Education Foundation also sent a video message of congratulations. In his speech, Yang Zhong pointed out that as one of the Confucius Institutes established at the beginning of international Chinese education, the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Chile, with its excellent teaching quality and rich cultural activities, has not only made remarkable achievements in the field of Chinese education, but also played a unique role in the cultural exchanges between China and Chile. Nanjing University is very proud of this and will continue to support its work, especially in academic exchanges and cooperation. It hopes that the Confucius Institute can continue to expand its academic height and depth and make new contributions to the friendly cooperation between the two universities and the two countries.
Mr. Frei, former President of Chile, delivered a keynote speech entitled “Chile-China Relations – Win-win Cooperation”. He reviewed the strong relationship between the two countries over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and outlined the mutually beneficial cooperation between Chile and China in e-commerce, cleaning and artificial intelligence. He stressed that Chile has made the right choice between openness and conservatism, cooperation and closure, innovation and stagnation. The diversity of world culture is the most precious heritage of all mankind, and the best way to share it is to communicate and learn from each other. As a Chinese teaching center and cultural exchange platform, the Confucius Institute will continue to spread China’s infinite wealth. It is hoped that it will continue to play an active role and contribute to consolidating the relationship between the two countries, promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries, and enhancing the friendship between the two countries.
Afterwards, Yang Zhong, Sanchez and others presented certificates of merit to Gu Hongjuan and three other people who have made important contributions to the construction of the Confucius Institute over the years. Students studying in Chile and Nanjing University sent video messages of congratulations, and students of the Confucius Institute also performed traditional dances of China and Chile, Shandong Kuaishu and other wonderful programs. The scene was filled with moving pictures of friendly exchanges between the two countries and a warm and cheerful festive atmosphere.
The heads of our Confucius Institute Office and Overseas Education College accompanied the visit.