On May 15, a 29-member delegation of young African diplomats to China visited Guizhou University. A symposium was held, attended by Li Zhigang, counsellor from Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liu Baochang, vice-director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of Guizhou Province, Gu Lihui, deputy secretory general of People’s Government of Guiyang City, Liu Wanqian, head of the Office of International Relations of the Department of Education of Guizhou Province, Academician Song Bao’an, president of GZU, Zhang Qin, vice president of GZU, and close to 100 representatives of students from both China and Africa.
Li, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, extended a warm welcome, adding that China and Africa are comprehensive strategic partners, whose friendship in the past decades has proved itself with the test of history and global vicissitudes. The mutual respect, support, and aid is the basis for this victory. For the coming future, this friendship is expected to better respond to such opportunities and challenges as population, climate, environment, and AI issues. May the traditional friendship goes on and on toward a better future that works for both sides.
Liu acknowledged that the Chinese delegation to Africa headed by Sun Zhigang was a fruitful success, deepening inter-party and political exchanges. He also said that Guizhou University, as the most advanced higher education institution, plays an important role in cooperation on China-Africa education, hoping that African students in GZU can meet with rewards, China-Africa cooperation be fruitful, and this delegation’s visit be worthwhile.
Song put his introduction on the development and international cooperation of GZU, expecting to have more African students in Guizhou. According to his introduction, GZU has been actively working on the educational platform to boost exchanges with Africa, including efforts to build an A-level Chinese language promotion base and an A-level training center for African talents, especially young leaders in the agriculture sector. GZU is happy to provide professional skill training for African youngsters.
This visiting delegation thought this visit was a wonderful experience for African diplomats to learn from bilateral exchanges, said the head of the delegation, who hoped the 13 African students in GZU can cherish this opportunity to learn skills, thus making contributions to Africa, and on the other hand, to the bilateral friendship.
A visiting student from the Republic of Congo said that his study in Guizhou enables him to experience the wonderful culture and landscape, as well as the best educational opportunity in this high-level institution, where he can show himself, challenge himself and promote himself. He would further cherish this opportunity to create a better future with colorful knowledge and culture.
Young representatives from both students and teachers have shared their views on China-Africa relations, cultures, and friendship, after watching a video about the cooperation between GZU and Africa.
This delegation visited the national science park in GZU, to have an idea on school entrepreneurship, and transformation of school achievements into technology; in the engineering training center, this delegation visited working shops for processing before enjoying innovative activities of students using lasers to process and using woods to make crafts; in the art gallery of College of Fine Arts, this delegation got to know traditional Chinese painting, and Mawei embroidery. In the evening, songs and dances were enjoyed.