From May 21 to 27, a delegation from Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) visited universities, research institutions, think tanks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and the Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS). The delegation included Jiang Feng, university council chair, Wang Guangda, executive director of China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development (CARC), Professor Guo Zijian from Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation, and Huang Yiwei, deputy director of Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. During their visit, the delegate and their counterparts mainly discussed themes such as strengthening cooperation in higher education, enhancing think tank collaboration, and promoting cultural exchanges.
On May 22, the delegation visited the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS), King Faisal University (KFU), and the Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge (CRIK). Discussions were held with leading officials from these institutions on cooperation in language and translation teaching, joint efforts in international and area studies, and other related matters. Jiang, on behalf of SISU, renewed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with KFCRIS, signed a new MoC with the CRIK, and reached a cooperation intention with KFU.
Renewing the MoC with the KFCRIS
Meeting with President Mohammed Ali Al Hayaza of KFU
At CRIK, the delegation attended the China-Saudi Science and Culture Cooperation Seminar. During the seminar, Jiang delivered a speech, bringing up in-depth discussions with Saudi scholars on economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, language teaching, media information exchange, think tank collaboration, and China-U.S. relations. He pointed out that cultural interchange and understanding lead to mutual respect, that technology collaboration fosters social development, and that respect and development together form the foundation for the progress of human society. Scholars of both sides unanimously agreed to launch the “Initiative on China-Saudi Civilization Dialogue.”
Jiang Feng spoke at the China-Saudi Science and Culture Cooperation Seminar
At the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Yin Lijun, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, was briefed by the delegation on the results of the visit, and he gave an overview of the cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and China.
Meeting with Yin Lijun, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia
From May 23 to 26, the delegation visited Alexandria University, Cairo University, German University in Cairo, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS), and the Secretariat of the LAS. The delegation engaged in extensive discussions with relevant departments, delving into their respective situations and exploring areas of collaboration in language and translation teaching, joint efforts in international and area studies, and the establishment of a China-Arab think tank alliance.
Meeting with President Abdelaziz H. Konsowa of Alexandria University
Meeting with Vice President Mohamed Mohsen El-Attar of Cairo University
At ACPSS, Jiang delivered a speech on the Chinese path to modernization and had discussions with attending scholars regarding this path and China’s foreign policies, specifically focusing on those regarding the Middle East and Africa. Following the speech, Jiang, on behalf of SISU, signed a MoC with ACPSS.
Jiang Feng spoke at ACPSS on the Chinese path to modernization
Signing a Moc with ACPSS
At the Secretariat of the LAS, Jiang, along with Zhao Liang, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, discusses opportunities to establish a China-Arab think tank alliance with the Department of Culture and Civilization Dialogue of the LAS. Both parties agreed that, based on a common paper, the Secretariat of the LAS would designate leading Arab think tank units to coordinate with CARC, enhancing and expanding cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and Arab think tanks. The two sides also exchanged views on the “10+10” cooperation plan between Chinese and Arab universities in ten major areas.
Group photo with officials from the Secretariat of the LAS, including the Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities
The delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, where they reported the outcomes of the visit to Ambassador Liao Liqiang. They expressed gratitude to Ambassador Liao Liqiang, Minister Zhang Tao, Minister-Counselor Lu Chunsheng, Minister-Counselor Zhao Liang, and all departments of the embassy for their concern and support towards SISU’s work. Liao gave an overview of the cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, and commended SISU’s achievements in cultivating Arabic language talents and cooperating with Arab think tanks.
Meeting with Ambassador Liao Liqiang of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt
During the visit, the delegation also visited SISU teachers and alumni working at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the Secretariat of the LAS.
Group photo with officials and alumni at CARC and LAS
Group photo with alumni working at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt
The visit of SISU delegation to Saudi Arabia and Egypt deepened exchanges with partnership universities and research institutions, enhanced cooperation and mutual trust among all parties, and provided clear directions for further advancing collaborative exchanges.
