From April 28 to May 3, 2019, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of May Fourth Youth Day and the 121st anniversary of Peking University, the delegation of students from the Arabic Department, the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University was invited by the King Abdulaziz Public Library to Riyadh to participate in the 3rd Sino-Saudi Youth Academic Exchange Program. The delegation was led by Prof. Fu Zhiming, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, and Ms. Yuan Lin of the Arabic Department, and consisted of 12 undergraduates, master and doctoral students from all years of the Arabic Department of the School of Foreign Languages.

Group photo after the opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place on the morning of 29 April at the King Abdulaziz Public Library. Dr Abdou Karim Zaid,Deputy Director of the Library, officiated at the opening ceremony. He welcomed the delegation and recalled fond memories of the two previous events held in Beijing. Dr Fahd Sultan and Professor Fu Zhiming, the project leaders of the Peace Programme, expressed their appreciation for the positive role of the youth academic exchange activities between China and Saudi Arabia, saying that young people are the future of cultural exchange between the two countries and will contribute to the spread of culture and the development of friendship between the two countries.

Exchange at the King Abdulaziz Public Library

The first session was held at the King Library, where young people from China and Saudi Arabia had in-depth discussions on the Saudi Vision 2030, Belt and Road Initiative and building a peaceful world. The second session was held at King Saud University and was chaired by Professor Fu Zhiming, with the theme of "Closing the Ties and Enhancing Civilizational Communication between Chinese and Saudi Youth". The delegation also visited the building of the Faculty of Languages and Translation at King Saud University, which is equipped with advanced language teaching facilities, and held a discussion with the leadership of the Faculty.

Exchange at King's University

In the afternoon of 30 April, representatives of the Peking University delegation went to the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Chinese Ambassador Chen Weiqing received the delegation and had a talk with the students.

Visit to the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia

On the morning of 2 May, the third session on the theme "Building a common vision of mutual coexistence and diversity among the youth of China and Saudi Arabia", was chaired by Dr Abdullah Al-Washimi, Director of the Saudi Arabian Language Service Centre.

Exchange site

In the afternoon of May 1, the delegation also visited the headquarters of the Saudi MISK Foundation to learn more about the foundation's departments and programmes, such as the World Youth Forum programme and the Saudi Youth Development and Employment Programme. In the evening, members of "Peace Project" and the delegation from Peking University held an exchange activity. During the free talk session, the Saudi youths recalled their good impressions of their visit to China, and the Arabic students of Peking University expressed their gratitude for the generous invitation and hospitality of the Saudi side, and their hopes for future cooperation.

Visit to MISK Foundation

The delegation of Peking University was also invited to visit Masmak Castle, Dera'iyeh Old Castle, Al-Hakam Palace, the National Museum and the King's History Centre in Riyadh to gain a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia's national history, humanities, national conditions and livelihoods.

Visit to Masmak Castle

In order to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges between China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University was found on 17 March 2017. The branch library provides a platform for youth exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia, and the branch library has invited Saudi youth delegations to visit Peking University twice, showing an open and progressive China to Saudi youth. The King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University provided funding and various services for this exchange, truly serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Saudi Arabia.

Source: https://news.pku.edu.cn/xwzh/5976d8a9f04e4fbabd27fa64e7a5a161.htm