Miory Regional Executive Committee
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with Rector of Peking University Gong Qihuang, BelTA reports.
"Good relations have been established between Peking University and our leading university. I really hope that it will continue to be so. We counted on this cooperation to be an example for other universities. Moreover, we have an association of rectors where we can solve common issues," said Alexander Lukashenko.
He specifically noted that Peking University has taken unprecedented steps to create a separate program for training particularly advanced Belarusian students in the specialty of "biotechnology." This program provides for an in-depth study of disciplines related to this field.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that there is great interest from the Chinese side, among others, in similar programs for studying physics, mathematics, chemistry, and other sciences. "This is a good example for studying these sciences. I think we will focus on this in the near future. But we are counting on deeper cooperation with the PRC," the Belarusian leader stated.
The President called the several thousand Chinese and Belarusian students studying in universities in Belarus and China, respectively, the future of bilateral relations.
"In short, we have a large field of activity. Doors are open for you to any institution, any company, any state enterprise. We have no secrets from China," the head of state emphasized.
In turn, Gong Qihuang noted that this is his first visit to Minsk. "I have a feeling that this is a harmonious, peaceful city where people are very happy," he said.
The Rector of Peking University noted that last month Alexander Lukashenko visited the PRC, and a meeting was held with the country's leader Xi Jinping. "We are good partners, good friends. Your high leadership and Xi Jinping are leading us to in-depth cooperation, an all-weather strategic partnership. And we, as Peking University, actively participate in all events," the university rector emphasized.
Following the meeting, the Rector of Peking University stated that a wide range of issues were discussed with the head of the Belarusian state, including academic exchanges, the development of cooperation in the educational sphere, and work in various areas, including the creation of a joint master's program with BSU in biotechnological sciences and the opening of a joint center for fundamental scientific research.
Gong Qihuang noted that when China launched its policy of reform and openness several decades ago, the country's gates were opened to new technologies and the study of foreign experience. "We have learned a lot during this time. Therefore, we now believe that we also bear responsibility. We are simply obliged to share our joint achievements and developments with Belarus and other countries," he emphasized.
These days, a delegation from Peking University is visiting Belarus. The key event of the visit program will be the opening of the Belarusian-Chinese Center for Fundamental Scientific Research at BSU.
As reported by BELTA, on June 25, 2024, Alexander Lukashenko, at a meeting with the Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University Hao Ping and representatives of Chinese universities, supported the initiative of Belarusian and PRC universities to create a center for fundamental research. "I am confident that its activities will mark a new stage of scientific and technological development. And given that we have absolutely no closed topics from our friends in China, we are ready to share, including technologies that China does not currently possess. You are our friends, you are our brothers, you can count on us," the President said.
The first step towards project implementation was the establishment of a Chinese branch of the center at Peking University in November 2024. The opening of a similar institution in Belarus, based at BSU, will ensure effective interaction between scientists of the two countries, and improve the quality of joint specialist training and scientific personnel development. It is expected that the center's activities will result in multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary fundamental and applied developments and research.
Peking University is the largest and most important higher education institution in China. It was founded in 1898. The university enrolls about 50,000 students, including over 3,000 international students.