Link:https://www.en.rw.uestc.edu.cn/info/1020/1171.htm , for more details.

The UESTC School of International Education holds a Salon Seminar on learning the important reply letters to international students from President Xi Jinping.

The well-attended salon event that took place at the Main Building of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) on Thursday, April 11, 2004 attracted several Chinese and international students who came to learn the contents of the important replies from President Xi Jingping to international students. Ms. Nicole (曹冰蕾) from the School of International Education at UESTC set the pace to start the program by welcoming all international and Chinese students to the Salon, as she referred to it as an important session that is beneficial to all.

The presenter from the Center for West African Studies (CWAS) of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Abu Bakarr Koroma, gives a succinct talk on the importance of the China-Africa friendship. In his short presentation titled “China-Africa Friendship: A Trajectory of Hope," he highlighted the invaluable contributions this always spoken-about friendship has given to the African continent and, by extension, China as well. The importance of the reply of President Xi to the Kenyan students and alumni representative at Beijing Jiaotong University was part of and a key component of his message to both his international students’ colleagues and Chinese counterparts in attendance.

In his comments on the importance of the reply of President Xi, he commended and showed appreciation and gratitude to the Chinese president for taking time out of busy his schedule to reply to a constituent that carries the future of this much-spoken-about China-Africa friendship, the youth and international student community. It shows that the president actually meant what he has been referring to as his unwavering commitment to “building a friendship with a shared future with the African continent," he added. The president’s message is a clarion call to the bearers of the future of the China-Africa friendship, with expectations of learning professional knowledge to positively contribute to promoting values and hopes of a shared future between China and Africa.

The young researcher from CWAS, in his presentation, further explained the contributions of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the African continent. China’s blue-print infrastructural investment is seen almost all over the African continent, as the researcher showcased some growing, valuable statistics of China’s propelling influence and relevance in the continent. He highlighted that, according to a 2020 report by Deloitte, Chinese firms were responsible for 31% of all infrastructure projects on the African continent, with a value of over $ 50 million, which was up from 12% in 2013.He said that the clarion call made by President Xi to young people from this beautiful landscape, has shown that the Chinese side is unabated ready to continue the manifestation of a true friendship of hope that embodies the spirit of inclusivity, mutual respect, and benefits between the two parties that transcends geographical boundaries to cultivate meaningful connections and build everlasting ties. He ended his presentation with the saying from Senegal’s president, Leopold Sedar Senghor, which he relates to President Xi’s reply message to the Kenyan students and Alumin representatives of Beijing Jiaotong University: “Let’s answer present at the rebirth of the world."

CWAS’s presenter, Abu Bakarr Koroma on the China-Africa friendship

The UESTC International Students’ Union president, Sam Francis, was among the speakers who also spoke on the valuable contributions the China-Africa friendship has given to African youth. He highlighted the unwavering commitment from the Chinese government, especially in the area of research, and always opening new avenues for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Mr. Cai (蔡明均), a staff member at the UESTC international school office, gave an in-depth discussion on the important replies of the president to international students of different countries studying in China. He reiterated the stunt and unabated commitment from President Xi to promoting peace, strengthening bilateral ties, and multilateral cooperation in the international arena, and explained the role of international students in building what President Xi referred to as "a relationship with a shared future."

Several other international and Chinese students made contributions to the all-important Chinese and foreign students' thematic salon seminar. The program has continued to broaden the knowledge and ideas of both international and Chinese students on the significant role China continues to play in the global arena and how it has been able to remain committed to international cooperation amidst current global challenges.

After learning the contents of important replies to international students from both the International Students Office (ISO) representatives and Chinese and foreign students, the program reached its climax with the presentation of President Xi’s book, "The Government of China" to the participants and the international students’ union of UESTC.

Salon’s participants and organizers after the presentation of President Xi’s book, "The Government of China."