From March 24 to 31, Duan Peng, President of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), led a delegation to Fiji and Samoa, visiting local universities, educational authorities, and Chinese diplomatic missions. This mission aimed to systematically advance BLCU’s engagement with South Pacific island nations in education, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange. As a key initiative to serve China’s national diplomacy and cultural outreach, the visit has laid a solid foundation for multi-level and sustainable cooperation in the South Pacific region.
During the visit to Fiji, President Duan met with Siosiua Utoikamanu, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (USP), and Wang Yuan, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji. BLCU and USP reached a consensus on exploring the reciprocal establishment of a China Research Institute and a South Pacific Research Institute and agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Furthermore, both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation through the Confucius Institute, expand youth exchanges, and explore joint educational programs. With the support of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, BLCU will further promote the integration of Chinese language education into Fiji’s national education system, and extend its reach to neighboring island nations.
During his visit to Samoa, President Duan Peng and his delegation visited the National University of Samoa and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Samoa, and paid a courtesy call on the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Samoa. In talks with Professor Tufusa’a Patila Amosa, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, the two sides reached an agreement to deepen cooperation in Chinese language education, life and health, and speech-language pathology, and to promote student exchange programs. With Ms. Tuoupepe Perenise Tine, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Samoa, they reached consensus on Chinese language education cooperation, the establishment of a China Institute, and the coordinated development of higher education. With the support of the Chinese Embassy in Samoa, the two sides confirmed plans to establish a China Institute in Samoa, expand the “Chinese + Vocational Education” model, and strengthen youth and cultural exchanges.
This visit represents an important strategic step for Beijing Language and Culture University in the South Pacific region. Through practical exchanges with multiple institutions in Fiji and Samoa, the university has further strengthened its cooperative network built on university partnerships, government coordination, and embassy support. It has established a long-term platform for integrating Chinese language education into local national education systems, promoting joint think-tank development, youth exchanges, and collaborative research. The visit has also injected new momentum into deepening people-to-people and educational exchanges between China and Fiji, as well as between China and Samoa.
(Editors: Liu Yiming, Zhao Yuxuan, Chen Yezi)
