The School of African Studies at BFSU holds an award ceremony of a short video contest for college students and releases Chinese Culture in the Malagasy Language on Nov 19. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The School of African Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) held an award ceremony of a short video contest for college students on Nov 19 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Madagascar.

Chinese Culture in the Malagasy Language, a book in the Chinese culture in multiple languages series, was also released at the ceremony.

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, addresses the event. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, addressed the event, saying that the short video contest highlighted the strength of the young people who are building a community with a shared future for China and Madagascar, while Chinese Culture in the Malagasy Language, as the first Malagasy teaching material in China, marked a special gift presented by BFSU in celebration of the friendship between the two countries over the past 50 years.

Sambaniaina Nomenjanahary Jean-Victor (L), first counsellor of the embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in China, and Zhang Wei (R), minister-counsellor of the Chinese embassy in Madagascar, speak at the event. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Sambaniaina Nomenjanahary Jean-Victor, first counsellor of the embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in China, said the celebration event and the publication of the new book will play an important role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Madagascar.

Zhang Wei, minister-counsellor of the Chinese embassy in Madagascar, acknowledged the cultural value of the short video contest and the new book, and expressed his expectations that China-Madagascar friendship will make further progress.

Chinese Culture in the Malagasy Language is released on Nov 19. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

At the book launching ceremony, Liu Jie, deputy secretary of the CPC committee, deputy chair of the board and executive vice-president of Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, said that Chinese Culture in the Malagasy Language, as a new book in the Chinese culture in multiple languages series, is of epoch-making importance and will contribute to exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and Malagasy civilizations.

Du Yimeng, a writer representative and director of the Malagasy language teaching and research office at BFSU, reviewed the process of writing the book and said the office will continue to promote the building of professional textbooks and lexicographical books in a solid and efficient manner.

At the award ceremony of the short video contest, Xu Ye, secretary of the general Party branch committee of the School of Asian Studies and the School of African Studies, spoke highly of the wisdom of students from both countries. Xu said the School of African Studies will always attach great importance to teaching African languages and cultivating talents.

The list of winners was released by Li Hongfeng, dean of the School of African Studies, and Chen Lijuan, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Antananarivo.

Andriamampionona Zo Miadana Princia from Madagascar and Lei Ming from China delivered acceptance speeches as representatives of award-winning students.

Award-winning students participating in the short video contest gather for a group photo with officials at the award ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]