Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) committee and vice-president of the university, led a delegation to visit Belarus from Nov 20 to 23, aiming to strengthen educational ties between the two nations. 

Jia Wenjian (first right), deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, poses for a photo with speakers of the inauguration ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The highlight of the visit was the inauguration ceremony of the China-Belarus University Alliance held at the National Library of Belarus on Nov 21. 

The ceremony witnessed the signing of the China-Belarus University Alliance Establishment Agreement by Jia on behalf of BFSU. 

As a founding member, BFSU pledged to implement the 2023-25 cooperation plan approved by the education ministries of both countries, focusing on Belarusian language teaching, faculty development and exchange programs with member universities, particularly Minsk State Linguistic University (MSLU). 

The alliance, jointly initiated by Dalian University of Technology and Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, saw the participation of 81 universities from China and Belarus as its first members. 

Later that afternoon, Jia attended the China-Belarus University Presidents' Forum organized by the alliance. The forum facilitated extensive discussions on the digital era and educational development that involved university leaders from both countries.

The BFSU delegation poses for a commemorative photo with officials from MSLU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation also toured MSLU and the Confucius Institute at the university on Nov 21. BFSU and MSLU reached a consensus on deepening cooperation within the framework of the China-Belarus University Alliance, building upon their existing strong foundation. 

On Nov 22, delegation members engaged in a dialogue meeting with BFSU alumni and students studying in Belarus. Jia extended warm greetings, shared the latest developments at BFSU, and invited alumni to join hands in supporting their alma mater's growth, emphasizing their collective role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Belarus.

The BFSU delegation poses for a commemorative photo with officials from Belarusian State University. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

In the afternoon, they visited Belarusian State University for discussions with officials from the university on collaborations in such areas as language education and Slavic studies, aiming to foster personnel exchanges, faculty development, student exchanges and joint research endeavors.

The BFSU delegation poses for a commemorative photo with Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong (4th, L). [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation also attended an exchange event involving the Chinese embassy in Belarus, during which ambassador Xie Xiaoyong shared insight into the current status and prospects of Sino-Belarusian educational cooperation.

BFSU and JSC China Merchants CHN-BLR Commerce and Logistics Company sign a letter of intent to cooperate on Nov 23. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Concluding the visit on Nov 23, delegation members explored collaboration opportunities in the China-Belarus Industrial Park and held discussions with relevant authorities on economic and trade exchanges. 

Following prior communications, BFSU and JSC China Merchants CHN-BLR Commerce and Logistics Company reached a consensus on promoting student internships, collaborative industry-academia-research initiatives and more. A letter of intent to cooperate was signed, solidifying their commitment to joint endeavors.