Xiangtan University Delegation Pays an Official Visit to Zambia, Kenya and Madagascar

Written by: Zhou Shengyou

Edited by: Zhang Gan

Translated by: Li Tingting, Xiao Liang

From May 7 to 15, upon the invitations of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the Madagascar-China National Assembly Cooperation Organization, and the National Civil Society Union of Kenya, the delegation from Xiangtan university visited Africa to attend the China-Africa People-to-People Dialogue and the Silk Road People-to-People Connectivity activities.

During the visit, the delegation conducted exchanges and investigations at multiple institutions, including the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, the National Assembly of Madagascar, the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, the University Council and Confucius Institute of the University of Antananarivo, as well as the Kenya Office of Beijing Jingshi Law Firm and StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co., Ltd.

The delegation first arrived in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, to attend the inaugural China-Africa People-to-People Dialogue Forum. The delegation was warmly received by Mutale Nalumango, Vice President of Zambia, George Charamba, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Zambia, Louis Sissoko, Chairperson of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, and William Carew, Secretary-General of the Council. Professor Hong Yonghong delivered a keynote speech titled Leverage the Advantages of Local Universities, Deepen the Mutual Learning of Chinese and African Civilizations, which received high recognition from the attendees.

In Nairobi, the delegation participated in the Silk Road People-to-People Connectivity International Volunteer Service Event. It held discussions with person-in-charges of Kenyan public welfare organizations, school principals and community representatives, reaching initial consensus on multidisciplinary and cross-field cooperation. Afterwards, the delegation visited Chinese enterprises stationed in Kenya and exchanged views on legal risk prevention and control as well as the training of international legal professionals.

In Madagascar, the delegation met with Tokely Justin, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Augustin Andriamananoro, Deputy Speaker. It also conducted in-depth discussions with officials from local economic development authorities and heads of civil society organizations on people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The delegation was invited to attend the China-Madagascar Cooperation Exchange Conference hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar. Ambassador Ji Ping and many Malagasy officials were present at the event, expressing the expectation for substantive cooperation between Xiangtan University and local universities in Madagascar.

At the final stage of the visit, the delegation held talks with President Rivoarison Randrianasolo and Vice President Nantenaina Rabetokotany of the University of Antananarivo, and conducted a survey of its Confucius Institute. Rivoarison Randrianasolo expressed his willingness to sign a cooperation agreement with Xiangtan University. Taking legal education cooperation as the starting point, the two sides intend to further carry out practical research and exchanges on China-Africa legal affairs, while actively exploring cooperation possibilities in more academic disciplines.

This visit has broadened the university’s international cooperation platforms and laid a solid foundation for multi-level, wide-ranging and substantive exchanges and cooperation in the future.