On the evening of January 15, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) held an international alumni reunion discussion. Attending the event were BLCU international alumni including Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov, Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev, Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva, Guyanese Ambassador to China Anyin Choo, U.S. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Chief Correspondent in China Eric Baculinao, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) China Office Takeuchi Kazuo, and former Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister, current Policy Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, and Chairman of Pakistan's "Understand China" Forum Zafar Uddin Mahmood. President Duan Peng and Vice President Zhang Baojun attended the discussion. Teachers of the international alumni, Liu Shiqin and Yang Nan, as well as Director Dong Chuan of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Director Ma Xiaolei of the International Student Admissions Office/Alumni Office, Executive Director Chen Lixia of the International Chinese Education Practice and Research Base, and Deputy Director Shen Yinghuan of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange participated in the activity.
President Duan Peng first welcomed the alumni back to their alma mater on behalf of BLCU, reminiscing about alumni friendships. He stated that since its founding, BLCU has trained 300,000 international alumni from nearly 200 countries and regions who are proficient in Chinese and familiar with China and its culture, including dozens of foreign dignitaries such as Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, as well as over 300 foreign diplomats. BLCU has conducted high-quality cooperation with more than 400 universities from over 70 countries worldwide and has taken the lead in initiating or participating in multiple international university alliances, contributing BLCU's strength to mutual learning among civilizations. He emphasized that the alumni attending this event are important participants and contributors in international exchanges and cooperation, disseminating outstanding Chinese culture, and building bridges of friendship between China and the world. He eagerly hopes that the alumni will continue to promote BLCU's educational exchanges and cooperation with various countries in their respective positions, contributing to the construction and development of their alma mater.
Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov stated that this is his first return to his alma mater 40 years after graduation, and he is deeply moved. The "BLCU spirit" he comprehended during his studies at BLCU not only deepened his understanding and cognition of Chinese language and culture but also laid a solid foundation for his subsequent career. Currently, the enthusiasm of youth from China and Russia to study in each other's countries continues to rise, vividly demonstrating the vigorous development of bilateral educational exchanges. Last year alone, the Russian Embassy in China issued 34,000 study visas for Chinese students to Russia, and there are currently over 10,000 Russian students studying in China.
Kazakh Ambassador to China Shakhrat Nuryshev expressed that he feels deeply honored to have studied at BLCU from 1991 to 1995. He mentioned that during President Tokayev's visit to China last year, the president's special visit to his alma mater BLCU left a particularly profound and unforgettable impression on him. At the same time, President Duan Peng also visited Kazakhstan last year, holding fruitful talks with the Kazakh Minister of Education and visiting several renowned local universities, particularly reaching an important consensus with Astana International University to co-establish the BLCU Kazakhstan Branch. This undoubtedly demonstrates the firm belief and significant effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in education.
Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva stated that he studied at BLCU from 1987 to 1989, personally experiencing Beijing's historical transformation from tranquility to prosperity and witnessing China's rapid socioeconomic development. He particularly mentioned that the time spent in International Student Dormitory Building 11 is an unforgettable fond memory, and the outstanding teaching level and advanced methods of BLCU teachers left a lasting impression. He emphasized that China and Cuba have always been good comrades, good friends, and good brothers in close unity, hoping that more students will engage in language and cultural learning in the future, using educational exchanges as a link to boost friendship between the peoples and promote sustained bilateral relations.
Guyanese Ambassador to China Anyin Choo, who studied at BLCU from 1996 to 2000, mentioned that since assuming her post in March 2021, she has noticed that many colleagues in diplomatic missions are outstanding BLCU graduates, which fills her with honor and inspiration. She feels privileged to apply her learned knowledge alongside these colleagues to promote sustained development of bilateral relations. Looking back over the past 20 years, she has experienced a rich journey of study, work, and life in China, witnessing significant historical moments such as the return of Hong Kong and Macao, the 2008 Olympics, and the 50th anniversary of China-Guyana diplomatic relations. These experiences have built her unique and deep bond with China, serving as valuable assets in her diplomatic career.
U.S. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Chief Correspondent in China Eric Baculinao, who came to BLCU to study in the 1970s, stated that learning Chinese is the key to understanding Chinese culture. During his time in China, he personally witnessed and experienced a series of profound changes in the country. Since joining NBC, he has relied on his firsthand experiences and deep insights from living and studying in China to disseminate objective, comprehensive, and authentic views of China to the United States and other countries. Utilizing his rich experiences in China, he actively promotes China-U.S. relations and cultural exchanges between China and other countries from an international media perspective.
Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) China Office Takeuchi Kazuo described his studies at BLCU as a "life-changing journey." He shared with fellow alumni his memories of studying and living with international students from various countries at BLCU. He noted that learning the same language opened his heart to deep exchanges with classmates from different countries, and this unique cross-cultural experience became an indispensable key element in his personal growth and career.
Former Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister, current Policy Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, and Chairman of Pakistan's "Understand China" Forum Zafar Uddin Mahmood shared his warm memories of coming to BLCU in 1976 out of his passion for Chinese, making dumplings with classmates. He reminisced about the simple life back then and personally witnessed China's vigorous development. He hopes fellow alumni will join hands to tell Chinese stories in vivid and authentic narratives, disseminating a three-dimensional, comprehensive, and accurate image of China to the world.
Vice President Zhang Baojun reviewed BLCU's vigorous development over its more than 60 years since founding, stating that while staying true to its original mission, BLCU has achieved excellence in balanced multidisciplinary advancement, steadfastly holding the core position in international Chinese education and playing a key frontline role—all inseparable from the strong support of alumni. In the future, BLCU will continue to dedicate itself to cultivating international talent who understand and befriend China, building a global cooperation and exchange network. He hopes to receive robust assistance from alumni in the future, jointly injecting new vitality into advancing exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations and contributing solid strength.
Alumna mentor Teacher Yang Nan pointed out that as an important base for international Chinese education, BLCU possesses a profound and solid foundation and holds enormous development potential. She hopes alumni will continue to exert their influence, actively recommending and guiding more outstanding talent to choose BLCU for study and advanced training.
Alumna mentor Teacher Liu Shiqin summarized on behalf of BLCU teachers, stating that this is a global "Chinese proficiency test," with each alumnus submitting a satisfactory answer sheet. He hopes alumni will continue to serve as bridges for cultural exchanges, acting as ambassadors of friendship, often returning to their alma mater, jointly witnessing and participating in its development and construction, and contributing wisdom and strength to the university's long-term planning and development strategies.
At the end of the discussion, President Duan Peng, on behalf of the university, presented each alumnus with replicas of their student ID cards from their time at BLCU, hoping they will often recall their study days at the university.
The international alumni fondly reminisced about their bits and pieces during their studies at BLCU. They unanimously praised BLCU as a bridge for China-foreign cultural exchanges, playing a unique and irreplaceable role in promoting mutual learning among different civilizations and strengthening friendly relations between countries. In the future, whether on the frontlines of diplomatic work or dedicated to education and cultural exchange causes, they expressed willingness to do their utmost to promote cooperation and exchanges between BLCU and other countries and regions, jointly building a community of shared future for mankind.
(Edited by: Junyi Wang)
