Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, minister of education of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led a delegation to Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on May 29, and was warmly received by Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee. 

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

In his speech, Wang expressed gratitude and a warm welcome, briefed the delegation on BFSU's history and academic specialties, and reviewed the significant achievements in practical cooperation across various fields in recent years between BFSU and Arab countries, particularly the UAE. 

Wang noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, as well as the 20th anniversary of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. He highlighted the common values and pursuits shared by the two sides in seeking peace and development. 

Wang emphasized BFSU's willingness to play a greater role in promoting Sino-Arab cultural exchanges, people-to-people bonds and mutual learning among civilizations. He said he hopes for enhanced cooperation with the UAE’s universities, think tanks and cultural institutions in jointly conducting Arab studies, publishing high-quality Chinese and Arabic books, compiling and promoting Chinese language teaching materials and facilitating faculty and student exchanges and academic research.

Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the UAE’s minister of education, speaks at the meeting. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Al Falasi conveyed greetings to the BFSU faculty and students on behalf of the UAE’s Ministry of Education.

He expressed gratitude for BFSU's outstanding contributions to training high-level Arabic language professionals and deepening China-UAE cultural exchanges and civilizational dialogue.

The minister underscored BFSU's strong reputation domestically and internationally, noting its effective cooperation with cultural and educational institutions in the UAE. The Ministry of Education will support the development of BFSU, especially its School of Arabic Studies and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, and work with the university to promote Sino-Arab friendship, he said. 

Delegation members tour the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, learn about the development of the Belt and Road China-Arab Friendship Library and appreciate students’ Arabic calligraphy works. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

A student representative presents UAE Minister of Education Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi (R) with a calligraphic work that reads "Long Live China-UAE Friendship”. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Following the meeting, delegation members appreciated a recital of Arabic poetry and an oud performance presented by students from BFSU’s School of Arabic Studies, toured the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, learned about the development of the Belt and Road China-Arab Friendship Library, and interacted with students practicing Arabic calligraphy. 

The minister spoke highly of the excellent language skills and cultural literacy presented by students at the school and hoped for more opportunities to enhance exchanges between the young people of China and the UAE. 

Participants in the meeting pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]