On the afternoon of November 2, the ambassador of India to China H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha and his delegation visited Lanzhou University. President of LZU Wang Cheng met with them in the VIP room of the Science Building together with vice President Pan Baotian.
Wang Cheng introduced the history of development of Lanzhou University. He referred that the ancient Silk Road had strengthened the link between ancient China and India. Gansu Province is a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and Dunhuang City is like a precious pearl on the Silk Road. Both places have witnessed the exchange and communication between India and China. Wang Cheng agreed with H.E. Mr. Kantha on enhancing mutual visits and exchanges between the teachers and students of the universities of the two countries. He wished LZU to strengthen cooperation with South Asian countries, especially in such areas as education and culture etc. Wang Cheng referred that LZU valued the import of foreign teachers to LZU and believed that outstanding Indian experts could be invited to teach at LZU under the support of the Indian government.
H.E. Mr. Kantha referred that China and India had frequent exchanges in culture and technology in the ancient time. Some eminent monks and experts such as Fa Xian and Xuan Zang once went to India to seek for knowledge of the Buddhism. Many Indian experts also came to China through Dunhuang and Gansu. He wished Chinese and Indian experts could inherit such spirits and promote our national exchanges in education, economy, culture, science and technology and so on. He also referred that President Modi described the relation between China and India as “one spirit in two bodies” during the Brazil BRICS Summit. During President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September, President Xi Jinping and President Modi both believed that education was the key area of cooperation between the two nations. H.E. Mr. Kantha highlighted that the “Chinese Dream” and “Indian Dream” are connected and that the two countries should enhance cooperation and strive forward together in more substantive areas.
After the meeting, H.E. Mr. Kantha delivered an academic report entitled as “Prospects of Friendly Economic Cooperation between China and India” in the lecture hall of the Science Building. He underlined that, as two emerging economies with the fastest developing speed in the world, China and India shared the dream of rejuvenating our countries. The realization of that goal depends on the development of our strategic partnership. We need to learn from each other and enhance our cooperation. He demonstrated his wishes for the bright future of the two countries and hopes for the effective role that LZU shall play in enhancing the exchanges and mutual benefits of China and India. H.E. Mr. Kantha also exchanged with the teachers and students. The report was held by Pan Baotian.
After the report, H.E. Mr. Kantha and his delegation visited the LZU Indian Culture Research Centre and had a group discussion with the teachers of the LZU.
People participated in the activities include representatives of the Gansu Province International Cultural Exchange Center, Office of Foreign Affairs, Association for NGO Cooperation, Science and Technology Administration Office, Social Sciences Administration Office, Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Indian Cultural Research Centre.
(Translated by Wei Xianchao; proofread by Sissi Xu)
