Jia Wenjian, president of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, led a delegation to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria from Dec 14 to 23. The trip aimed to deepen inter-university exchanges, strengthen cooperation with overseas think tanks, government bodies and organizations, as well as to expand job opportunities for BFSU students.

Delegation members tour Huawei Saudi Arabia’s Future Space on Dec 15. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation visited Huawei Saudi Arabia on Dec 15, where Jia emphasized BFSU's dedication to meeting the talent needs of tech companies as they expand their operations overseas. Huawei, a key link in China-Saudi and China-Arab cooperation, shares common interests with BFSU in areas such as student internships, employee training, linguistic research and cultural studies, Jia said. The visit highlighted the potential for further collaboration between BFSU and Huawei. 

Delegation members talk with senior members of the Gulf Research Center on Dec 15. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation visited the Gulf Research Center in Saudi Arabia on Dec 15, where Jia expressed hopes for collaboration with the center in scholar exchanges and overseas student internships. BFSU looks forward to working closely with the center to advance cooperation across various fields and contribute to the growth of China-Saudi and China-Arab relations, said Jia. 

Delegation members talk with officials of the Prince Sultan University on Dec 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

At the Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia on Dec 16, Jia provided an overview of BFSU's language development, international exchanges and future plans, along with its recent achievements in disciplinary and academic development. The two universities share similar development missions, actively contributing to national strategies. Given their solid foundation, Jia expressed optimism about further cooperation in areas such as student exchanges, internship programs and academic visits. 

Delegation members visit PNU on Dec 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The delegation visited Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Saudi Arabia on Dec 16, where Jia expressed confidence in the broad prospects for cooperation between the two universities in areas such as advanced talent cultivation, student exchanges and scholarly lectures. The future collaboration will promote women's personal growth and academic research, cultivate more outstanding talents and better serve the peoples of both countries, Jia said. 

BFSU and the Center for Research and Knowledge Intercommunication renew the memorandum of understanding on Dec 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia emphasized BFSU’s high regard for collaborative research and interactions with overseas think tanks when visiting the Center for Research and Knowledge Intercommunication in Saudi Arabia on Dec 16. He expressed BFSU’s anticipation to deepen cooperation with the center in scholar exchanges, academic research, internship programs and joint seminars. 

Jia Wenjian (L) talks with BFSU alumnus Chang Hua, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of China to Saudi Arabia and representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, on Dec 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

BFSU will place greater emphasis on enhancing students' multilingual proficiency, fostering their global vision, improving their comprehensive qualities and cultivating their sense of patriotism and national responsibility, said Jia at the Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia on Dec 16. He also expressed hope for continued advice and support from the embassy. 

Delegation members visit the Chinese embassy in Egypt on Dec 17. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

At the Chinese embassy in Egypt on Dec 17, Jia shared BFSU’s efforts in promoting China-Egypt and China-Arab academic exchanges and people-to-people interactions, expressing gratitude for the embassy’s support of BFSU’s collaborative initiatives. The university plans to build partnerships with various entities to advance mutual learning between Chinese and Egyptian civilizations and contribute to the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future, he said. 

Delegation members talk with representatives of Ain Shams University on Dec 18. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia reviewed the history of collaboration between BFSU and Ain Shams University in Egypt on Dec 18. BFSU is willing to work with the university in establishing joint degree programs in Chinese and Arabic, co-authoring textbooks, conducting faculty training, facilitating student exchanges and internships, hosting cultural and academic seminars and launching China-Arab cultural exchange awards, he said. 

Delegation members visit the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt on Dec 18. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia shared information about BFSU’s collaborations with Egyptian universities and institutions at the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt on Dec 18. BFSU hopes to deepen cooperation with the council in areas such as scholar exchanges, student interactions and joint academic research, aiming to foster mutual cultural understanding and promote integrated development, Jia said. 

The BFSU delegation attends a seminar on Chinese and Arabic literary translation under the BRI framework on Dec 18. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation attended a seminar on Chinese and Arabic literary translation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), organized by the Translation Division of the Supreme Council of Culture. Jia delivered a speech, while Xue Qingguo, a professor at the BFSU School of Arabic Studies, and Zhang Tianwei, director of the BFSU Scientific Research Department, shared their views. 

Jia Wenjian (L) and Ashraf Mohamed El-Shihy, BUC president and former minister of higher education and scientific research of Egypt, sign a memorandum of understanding on Dec 19. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia introduced the development history and distinctive strengths of BFSU and its School of Arab Studies at Badr University in Cairo (BUC) on Dec 19. He expressed hope that the two sides will strengthen faculty and student exchanges, overseas internships and practical programs for students, joint development of MOOCs, co-editing of textbooks and co-publishing of academic journals. 

Delegation members meet with BFSU alumni working at the Chinese embassy in Egypt and students studying in the country. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

During the visit to Egypt, delegation members talked with BFSU alumni working at the Chinese embassy in Egypt and students studying in the country to gain insights into their personal reflections on China-Egypt relations and the friendship between the two peoples.

The BFSU delegation meets with officials of the Chinese embassy in Algeria on Dec 20. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

At the Chinese embassy in Algeria on Dec 20, Jia said that his visit aimed to establish broader cooperative relationships with various Algerian parties, understand the latest developments in China-Algeria collaboration and gather suggestions from the embassy to help BFSU better plan its future academic development and enhance students' overall capabilities. He expressed gratitude for the embassy’s long-term support and pledged that the university will proactively collaborate with Algerian universities, think tanks and government institutions to enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. 

Delegation members visit the Algeria-China Friendship Association on Dec 21. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia thanked the longstanding support of the Algeria-China Friendship Association for BFSU during the visit to the association on Dec 21. BFSU will continue to foster friendly dialogues with various Algerian parties and actively contribute to strengthening the friendship and development between the two countries, Jia said. 

The delegation meets with BFSU alumni and students working and studying in Algeria on Dec 21. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

On Dec 21, delegation members met with BFSU alumni working at the Chinese embassy in Algeria, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, China Poly Group Corporation and China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation, as well as students studying at the University of Algiers 2. 

Jia Wenjian (L) signs a memorandum of understanding with Khaled Rouaski, president of the University of Algiers 3, on Dec 22. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

BFSU and the University of Algiers 3 share highly aligned academic programs and talent training philosophies, both committed to promoting the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations, said Jia during his visit to the university on Dec 22. He hopes the two sides will strengthen interdisciplinary and cross-sector cooperation, establish a humanities and business think tank and enhance the friendship of the two peoples and mutual development of the two countries.