BLCU News, May 30 (Correspondent Geng Cong, Photographer Geng Cong) – Party Secretary Ni Haidong led a delegation on a visit to Greece, Italy, and Spain from May 14 to 21. The visit focused on international talent cultivation, Sinology research cooperation, Confucius Institute construction, high-end think tank co-establishment, and regional and country studies, aiming to build diverse cooperation platforms and explore innovative models for China-foreign educational and cultural exchanges. During the visit, the delegation conducted in-depth engagements with local universities, research institutions, international organizations, and more, fostering extensive discussions.
BLCU Delegation Holds Talks with Andreas, President of Ionian University in Greece
From May 14 to 15, Party Secretary Ni Haidong led the delegation to visit Ionian University in Greece, the Greek Sinology Center, and the Ionian Regional Government. At Ionian University, Party Secretary Ni Haidong held talks with President Andreas Floros. President Andreas welcomed the delegation, noting that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to deepen cooperation and reviewing the practical achievements of both universities in recent times. Thanks to active and efficient preliminary communication, both sides not only swiftly established the Greek Sinology Center but also plan to launch joint master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs. Party Secretary Ni Haidong stated that by integrating the strengths of both universities' disciplines and building an internationalized talent cultivation system, students' academic horizons and practical abilities can be broadened, laying a solid foundation for deepening China-Greece higher education cooperation. This not only helps enhance mutual understanding among the youth of both countries but also serves as an important pathway for promoting mutual learning among civilizations. In the future, both sides can continue exploring the co-establishment of a Confucius Institute and a Chinese department, conducting language and culture courses, academic lectures, art exhibitions, and other activities to allow more faculty and students to experience the charm of Chinese and Greek cultures, injecting new vitality into China-Greece cultural exchanges.
BLCU Delegation with Scholars from the Greek Sinology Center
BLCU and Ionian University jointly established the Greek Sinology Center, the first Sinology research center in Greece co-founded by Chinese and Greek universities, regarded as an important milestone in academic and educational cooperation between the two countries. During the visit to the Greek Sinology Center, Party Secretary Ni Haidong held discussions with Stavros Katsios, Director of the UNESCO Chair on Threats to Cultural Heritage Steering Committee and Director of the Greek Sinology Center, Executive Director Elena Avramidou, and other scholars. Director Stavros Katsios thanked BLCU for its active support, stating that the Greek Sinology Center will fully leverage its functions to further promote cooperation in Sinology and Chinese Studies research, talent cultivation, literary translation, and China-Greece cross-cultural exchanges. Party Secretary Ni Haidong noted that the Greek Sinology Center serves as an important window for China-Greece civilization exchanges and mutual learning, making positive contributions to deepening academic exchanges and jointly building new heights in talent cultivation. This can be achieved through hosting high-end academic forums, establishing online and offline resource-sharing platforms to effectively promote in-depth dialogues among Chinese and Greek scholars and facilitate bidirectional dissemination of academic achievements. Additionally, youth dialogue and exchange activities hosted by the Sinology Center can enhance mutual cultural understanding and recognition among Chinese and Greek youth.
Secretary Ni Haidong with Governor Ioannis Trepeklis
The delegation also visited the Ionian Regional Government and held talks with Governor Ioannis Trepeklis. Party Secretary Ni Haidong provided a detailed introduction to BLCU's profound foundation in international Chinese education, innovative models for cross-cultural talent cultivation, and multi-campus coordinated development. He emphasized that the establishment of the Greek Sinology Center not only marks an important step in academic and educational cooperation between the two countries but also lays the foundation for future multi-level and broad-field in-depth collaboration. Governor Ioannis Trepeklis stated that during his April visit to BLCU for the World Culture Festival, he deeply felt the unique charm of Chinese language and culture and BLCU's excellence in international education. The establishment of the Greek Sinology Center opens a window for Greek people to deeply understand Chinese culture and brings new opportunities for educational development and tourism in the Ionian Islands Region.
BLCU Delegation with Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu
The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Greece and held talks with Chinese Ambassador to Greece Xiao Junzheng. Ambassador Xiao positively evaluated the cooperation achievements between BLCU and Ionian University in Sinology research and talent cultivation, stating that education and cultural exchanges are important components of China-Greece friendly relations. He supports strengthening exchanges and cooperation between universities of both countries in Sinology research, Chinese teaching, and talent cultivation to promote people-to-people bonds and deepen the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. Party Secretary Ni Haidong thanked Ambassador Xiao for his affirmation and support, stating that BLCU has always regarded promoting China-foreign cultural exchanges as an important mission. In the future, BLCU will fully leverage its strengths to further expand the breadth and depth of cooperation with Greek universities such as Ionian University, creating more exemplary and influential projects like Confucius Institutes and inter-university joint cultivation programs to contribute to the steady and long-term progress of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the visit to Italy from May 16 to 18, Party Secretary Ni Haidong and the delegation visited the Matteo Ricci Foundation in Italy, Marche Polytechnic University, the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Chinese Embassy in Italy, engaging in exchanges with relevant representatives.
BLCU Delegation Holds Talks with University of Markopoulo
As one of the key activities of this visit to Italy, Party Secretary Ni Haidong was invited to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Matteo Ricci Sinology Center in Italy and delivered a keynote speech. During the visit to Marche Polytechnic University in Italy, Party Secretary Ni Haidong and the delegation held talks with Dean Stefano Staffolani of the School of Economics and Dean Davide Neri of the School of Agriculture. In the discussions, Party Secretary Ni Haidong emphasized the importance of student exchange projects in promoting China-Italy educational cooperation and cultural mutual learning. Dean Stefano Staffolani and Dean Davide Neri expressed strong agreement, encouraging students to participate in cross-cultural learning projects to broaden their international horizons and become interdisciplinary talent with global competitiveness.
On the morning of May 17, the Matteo Ricci Sinology Center in Italy was officially inaugurated and unveiled, along with the Matteo Ricci Square and the statue of Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi in “Dialogue on Dao.” Chinese Consul General in Florence Yin Qi, Macerata Mayor Parcaroli, Chairman of the Matteo Ricci Cultural Foundation Gordari, and over 200 representatives from various sectors in the Marche Region attended the inauguration ceremony. Party Secretary Ni Haidong attended the unveiling and delivered a keynote speech. The newly established Matteo Ricci Sinology Center will be dedicated to researching ancient and modern Chinese culture, promoting cross-cultural dialogue between China and other countries, holding high academic value.
Secretary Ni Haidong Delivers Keynote Speech
In his speech, Party Secretary Ni Haidong pointed out that Matteo Ricci, as an outstanding pioneer in China-West cultural exchanges, made historical contributions by disseminating Western scientific knowledge in China and introducing Chinese culture to the world. BLCU has long been committed to China-foreign cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, achieving remarkable results in international Chinese education and academic cooperation. It has established partnerships with universities and institutions in numerous countries and regions and extensively built Confucius Institutes. He particularly emphasized that the Matteo Ricci Sinology Research Center is not only a link tracing historical exchanges but also a cradle for nurturing Sinology talent. In the future, leveraging this platform, BLCU hopes to deepen cultural and educational cooperation with Italy: by strengthening academic exchanges, mutual faculty and student visits, and joint research projects to provide a fertile ground for Sinology researchers in transnational collaboration; and through co-hosting cultural activities to promote bidirectional dissemination of China-Italy cultures, helping enhance mutual understanding among the peoples and jointly composing a new chapter in China-Italy cultural exchanges.
Professor Xu Baofeng, Director of the Center for World Sinology and Dean of the School of Sinology and Chinese Studies delivered a speech on three aspects: Matteo Ricci's academic contributions, trends in world Sinology development, and the mission and vision of the Matteo Ricci Sinology Center.
BLCU Delegation Visits China’s Permanent Mission to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies
During the visit to the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies, Party Secretary Ni Haidong engaged in in-depth discussions with Ambassador Zhang Lubiao on topics such as international organization talent cultivation and internship base construction. Assistant Vice President Wu Guoqi of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) attended the discussion. Ambassador Zhang Lubiao welcomed Party Secretary Ni Haidong and his delegation, fully affirming BLCU's achievements in language education, cultural dissemination, and international organization talent cultivation, particularly its active explorations in UN-oriented course construction, student internship guidance, and global governance talent reserves. Party Secretary Ni Haidong introduced BLCU's development history and internationalized educational features, focusing on the university's progress in talent cultivation for international organizations. He stated that BLCU will leverage strengths in language, culture, and education to further strengthen communication and collaboration with the Permanent Mission, promoting in-depth cooperation with UN food and agriculture agencies in internships, joint talent cultivation, and other areas, contributing BLCU's strength to national participation in global governance and addressing global challenges.
BLCU Delegation Visits the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
At the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Party Secretary Ni Haidong held talks with Director Nakouzi of the Human Resources Division and Senior Human Resources Supervisor Miho Mitsui. Party Secretary Ni Haidong introduced BLCU's important role in participating in international organizations, emphasizing the university's goal of cultivating "multilingual +" interdisciplinary talent. It has built a multidimensional teaching system covering international Chinese education and multiple languages such as English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, focusing on deeply integrating language abilities with interdisciplinary knowledge in international governance and cultural dissemination. He stated that BLCU can tailor to international organization talent needs by supplying FAO with interdisciplinary talent possessing language advantages, professional backgrounds, and international vision, helping elevate the use of Chinese in international organizations and China's talent reserves for global governance. Director Nakouzi highly recognized BLCU's talent cultivation model, noting that FAO is actively promoting language diversification strategies and urgently needs professionals proficient in Chinese, familiar with China's national conditions, and capable of cross-cultural communication to jointly contribute wisdom to solving global agricultural issues. Supervisor Miho Mitsui detailed FAO's internship programs, volunteer, and researcher projects, welcoming BLCU students to apply through the official website and looking forward to establishing a talent cultivation cooperation mechanism with BLCU, signing relevant cooperation agreements to provide students with practical platforms for participating in global food security governance.
Secretary Ni Haidong with Yu Xingguo, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Italy
The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Italy and held talks with Counselor Yu Xingguo. Counselor Yu introduced the recent status of China-Italy exchanges in culture and education, noting that in recent years, both countries have had frequent exchanges in academic seminars and student exchange projects, greatly enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples. Party Secretary Ni Haidong introduced BLCU's cooperation with Italy, stating that the university has established long-term stable partnerships with multiple renowned Italian institutions: in student cultivation, offering rich exchange student projects and joint degree programs; and co-establishing a Confucius Institute with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy to effectively promote the widespread dissemination of Chinese language and culture in Italy.
Secretary Ni Haidong with Sinologist Gao Boyi from University of Granada
On May 19, Party Secretary Ni Haidong and the delegation visited the University of Granada in Spain and held discussions with Granada University Sinologist José Antonio González Alcantud. Party Secretary Ni Haidong first introduced BLCU's characteristics and achievements in Sinology research, international Chinese education, and China-Spain cultural exchanges, emphasizing that the University of Granada, as a stronghold for Spanish Sinology research, has long been dedicated to disseminating Chinese language and culture. Both sides possess a profound foundation for cooperation in academic resource complementarity, talent cultivation synergy, and cultural dissemination linkage. He hopes to take this visit as an opportunity to upgrade bilateral exchanges from student cooperation to comprehensive, multi-level strategic partnerships. Sinologist José Antonio González Alcantud introduced the situation of the Confucius Institute at Granada and shared recent achievements in translation and other fields, stating that BLCU's innovative practices in Sinology document organization and international Chinese textbook development provide important references for the Spanish Sinology community, looking forward to breakthrough cooperation between both sides. Subsequently, both sides reached preliminary consensus on establishing a Sinology Center at the University of Granada, anticipating joint efforts with Sinology as the link to contribute to building a more inclusive global civilization landscape.
This visit, themed "Integration for Long-Term Success, Cooperation for Shared Prosperity," saw Party Secretary Ni Haidong and the delegation deeply engaging in Greece, Italy, and Spain with local universities, research institutions, and international organizations. It not only built BLCU's educational cooperation network with Mediterranean coastal countries but also formed a trinity cooperation paradigm of academic exchanges, talent cultivation, and cultural dissemination through the physical construction of Sinology research centers. This provides innovative models for practicing the Global Civilization Initiative and building educational and cultural communities, helping to establish solid bridges for mutual learning among different civilizations.
Accompanying the visit were relevant personnel from the Graduate School, School of Sinology and Chinese Studies, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures, and Office of International Cooperation and Exchange.
Editor: Lü Meining
Reviewer: Yao Meixian
