On the morning of April 24, President Duan Peng met with Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze and his delegation at the university.
President Duan Peng extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Paata Kalandadze on behalf of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and introduced the university's friendly relations with Georgia. He emphasized that BLCU is the only university in China founded after "language," with the primary mission of disseminating Chinese language and culture. Over its more than 60 years, BLCU has trained nearly 300,000 international alumni from 189 countries and regions who are proficient in Chinese and familiar with China, including over 80 foreign dignitaries at the deputy prime minister level or above, earning the nickname "Mini-United Nations." President Duan expressed hope for further deepening educational exchanges and cooperation with Georgia in the future. He also outlined preparations for the placement of the statue of Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli and invited the ambassador to attend the statue installation ceremony.
Ambassador Paata Kalandadze expressed honor in witnessing the increasingly close China-Georgia relations and highly appreciated BLCU's outstanding contributions to promoting friendly ties between the two countries, conveying sincere thanks on behalf of the Georgian government. Based on the growing closeness of China-Georgia relations and increasing demand for Chinese talent, Ambassador Paata Kalandadze hoped BLCU could establish relevant scholarships to provide more opportunities for Georgian youth to study Chinese and understand Chinese culture, injecting vitality into bilateral friendly relations. Regarding the placement of the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli statue, Ambassador Paata Kalandadze expressed deep gratitude for BLCU's efforts. He also proposed establishing a Georgia Cultural Corner at the university to help Chinese and international students better understand Georgian culture and promote mutual learning among civilizations.
President Duan Peng affirmed and supported Ambassador Paata Kalandadze's proposals, expressing respect for the ambassador's contributions as a seasoned diplomat to China-Georgia cultural exchanges. He stated that BLCU is willing to actively assist Georgian international students in applying for scholarships and will provide learning opportunities for Georgian students and Chinese teachers studying in China through projects like the "New Sinology Plan." President Duan also introduced the recently established Hainan International College, which currently has nearly 200 international students, and welcomed the ambassador to provide guidance. Regarding the construction of the Georgia Cultural Corner, President Duan indicated that the university will actively implement the project to further advance China-Georgia cultural exchanges. President Duan also specifically introduced BLCU's rural revitalization efforts in Du'an, Guangxi, hoping for support from the ambassador and Georgian enterprises. Ambassador Paata Kalandadze expressed sincere appreciation for the school's rural revitalization plan product, the "Wanyao Mountain Spring" mineral water from Du'an, Guangxi, noting that both its packaging design and quality taste left a deep impression, and promised to promote it extensively upon return.
Director Dong Chuan of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange and Chief Expert Chen Lixia of the International Chinese Education Practice and Research Base attended the meeting.
(Edited by: Junyi Wang)
