On the morning of October 25, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Rao Quan and his associates visited Peking University. Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, and Sun Qingwei, Vice President, met with Rao Quan and his associates, and the two parties held discussions on deepening cooperation and other matters.

Gong Qihuang presenting Peking University souvenirs to Rao Quan

Gong Qihuang extended a warm welcome to Rao Quan and his associates. He said that General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to improve the civilization level of the whole society, prosper and develop cultural causes and industries, and enhance the influence of Chinese civilization. In recent years, Peking University has made positive progress in the cultivation of high-level talents and the construction of high-quality teaching staffs. It has bred and gathered a large number of outstanding talents and teams, actively aligned with national strategic goals and tasks, strengthened organized scientific research, and accelerated the construction of the system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. It has also created a new situation in the construction of “Double First-Class” and contributed PKU wisdom and strength to the further advancement of Chinese-style modernization. Peking University has abundant literature resources: Peking University Ancient Books Library is that with the most precious ancient books among Chinese universities, and King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University is a model of China-Saudi Arabia friendly cooperation, playing an important role in the friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries. In the future, the two parties can rely on existing resources and platforms to strengthen cooperation in the fields of digital humanities, regional and country studies, and cultural exchanges, strive to tell Chinese stories, spread Chinese voices, and jointly promote Chinese culture to the world.

Rao Quan expressed his gratitude to Peking University for its continuous support to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and introduced the recent related projects promoted by the Ministry. He said that Peking University has achieved fruitful results in discipline construction, personnel training, scientific research and other fields, and has cultivated and delivered a large number of outstanding talents with both ability and political integrity for the country and society. Four institutions, including Peking University’s National Cultural Industry Innovation and Development Research Base, were also awarded the “Cultural and Tourism Research Base” by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He hopes that Peking University will provide stronger academic support for the cooperation between the two parties in the future, and promote the construction of smart libraries, cultural dissemination and promotion, etc.

At the symposium

At the symposium, Zheng Qingwen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University Library, reported relevant information such as historical evolution, institutional setup, operating mechanism, development results, and next-step work plans. Wang Jun, director of the Digital Humanities Research Center of Peking University, introduced the center’s latest progress in the intelligent development and utilization of ancient book resources and its future focus. The two sides also discussed matters of mutual concern.

Visiting Peking University Ancient Books Library

Visiting King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University

Rao Quan and his associates visited Peking University Ancient Books Library and King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University.

Other attendants of the event included: Zhang Xuxia, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Chen Binbin, First-level Inspector of the Public Service Department; Feng Litao, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau; Chen Jianlong, Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Committee of Peking University and Director of Peking University Library; Qiang Shigong, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Fu Zhiming, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages; Li Yun, Dean of the Office of International Relations; and Zheng Ruqing, Vice Dean of the Office of International Relations.

Source: https://news.pku.edu.cn/xwzh/459fdde452f249f9a198f7c285242e61.htm