Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, visited Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on March 30. 

Also present at the visit were Chen Jie, a member of the leading Party members group and vice-minister of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Yang Dan, head of the ministry’s Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, and Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee. 

The welcoming ceremony was chaired by Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university. 

Chen Jie (L), a member of the leading Party members group and vice-minister of the MOE, presents Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, with a Bulgarian edition of Dream of the Red Chamber, translated and published by BFSU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, speaks at the event. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

In his speech, Wang warmly welcomed commissioner Ivanova and her delegation and recalled the profound history of communication and cooperation between China and the European Union (EU) as well as the remarkable achievements.

Wang emphasized BFSU's commitment to language education as a vital means of promoting mutual learning among different civilizations and upholding common human values. 

The university currently offers 101 foreign language courses, including 35 European languages, covering all the official EU languages, contributing significantly to youth dialogues and cultural exchanges between China and Europe, Wang said. 

Promoting communication and enhancing mutual trust through linguistic, educational and cultural endeavors are crucial for the peaceful and healthy development of Sino-European relations and the exploration of a common future for humanity, Wang added. 

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, speaks at the event. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Ivanova expressed gratitude for BFSU’s warm reception. In her address, Ivanova underscored the power of knowledge and educational interactions and said that such interactions can transcend national boundaries and play an irreplaceable role in enhancing global understanding and trust.

The commissioner said that she is very pleased with the deepening cooperation between European and Chinese universities and institutions, as well as the increasing frequency of personnel exchanges. 

She also spoke highly of BFSU, saying that as an important base for foreign language education in China, the university has nurtured a large number of young leaders with international perspectives and provided valuable talent resources for China-EU cultural exchanges. 

BFSUers perform Da Feng Ge (Wind Song) with peizhu, an ancient Chinese musical instrument. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

BFSUers sing the song You’re Beautiful, My Forest in the Bulgarian language. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

BFSUers sing in chorus Auld Lang Syne in multiple languages. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Participants in the event visit the Bulgarian Language Teaching and Research Office at BFSU’s School of European Languages and Cultures. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Participants in the event pose for a commemorative photo at the EU-China Friendship Garden. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

After the welcoming ceremony, Ivanova and her delegation visited the Bulgarian Language Teaching and Research Office at BFSU’s School of European Languages and Cultures, where they inquired in detail about the development of Bulgarian language and other EU language majors. 

The delegation also toured the EU-China Friendship Garden which was completed in 2015, witnessing the friendly exchanges between China and the EU.