From February 26 to 28, 2019, a delegation composed of 17 outstanding Saudi young people visited Peking University (“PKU”) and participated in the Second China-Saudi Arabia Youth Exchange Event jointly sponsored by King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University (“Library Branch”) and the Arabic Language Department, School of Foreign Languages of PKU. Professor Fu Zhiming, Deputy Dean of School of Foreign Languages of PKU, Doctor Abdulkareem Al Zaid, Deputy Supervisor General of King Abdulaziz Public Library (“KAPL”), Professor Lin Fengmin, Director of the Arabic Language Department of PKU, and Doctor Fahd Sultan, Director of the Saudi “Peace Project”, Doctor Abdullah Woshmi, Director of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Arabic Language Service Center, Mr. Abid Bin Ali Alsharif, Deputy Director of the Library Branch, and students from China and Saudi Arabia attended the opening ceremony.

Picture 1 Prof. Fu Zhiming delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony

The exchange event lasted for three days. After the opening ceremony, Mr. Abid, Deputy Director of the Library Branch, guided the Saudi youth delegation to visit the “Oriental Wisdom” Saudi Arabia—China Calligraphy and Culture Exhibition and the Silk Road Photo Exhibition.

Picture 2 Dr. Zaid, Deputy Supervisor General of KAPL, introduced Chinese and Arab calligraphy to the guests

Picture 3 A group photo of the guests and students from China and Saudi Arabia in the hall where the Silk Road Photo Exhibition was held

Subsequently, guided by the student volunteers from the Arabic Language Department of PKU and the China Arabia Multicultural Exchange Link (CAMEL), the Saudi delegation had a tour around the campus of PKU, caught a glimpse of the beautiful environment and the rich culture of the university, and then visited the Palace Museum where they learned about Chinese historical and cultural heritage as well as its unique artistic architecture.

Picture 4 The students from China and Saudi Arabia took a group photo at the gate of PKU

Picture 5 A group photo of CAMEL volunteers from PKU and the Saudi youth delegation in the Forbidden City

On the morning of the next day, the Saudi delegation came to the No.2 teaching building of PKU and had an in-depth exchange with students from the Arabic Language Department of PKU. The former Palestinian ambassador to China, Doctor Mustafa, highly recognized and praised the event.

Picture 6 The exchange and dialogue between young Saudis and students from the Arabic Language Department of PKU

In the afternoon of the same day, the Saudi youth delegation, accompanied by the librarians of the Library Branch, went to Beijing International Studies University for a visit, and was warmly welcomed and received by the school leaders, teachers and students. Ms. Zhu Peifen, Vice President of Beijing International Studies University, was present at the event and delivered a speech. She sincerely welcomed the Saudi delegation and encouraged Chinese and Saudi youths to have more cooperation and exchanges. Afterwards, the students from Beijing International Studies University sang bilingual songs in Chinese and Arabic, performed Chinese calligraphy and tea art for the delegation.

Picture 7 Saudi youth and students from the Arabic Language Department of Beijing International Studies University wrote the word "Fu"(blessing) in Chinese

Picture 8 Saudi students had a taste of Chinese tea art with Chinese students

On the third day of the event, Doctor Abdullah Woshmi, Director of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Arabic Language Service Center, and Doctor Fahd Sultan, Director of the Saudi “Peace Project”, delivered keynote speeches themed “Arabic Teaching in China and Chinese Teaching in Saudi Arabia" and "Saudi Education and Vision 2030" respectively. Professor Lin Fengmin, Director of the Arabic Language Department of PKU hosted the lectures. At the end of their speech, Doctor Woshmi and Doctor Fahd all invited the representatives of Chinese and Saudi students to express their opinions and have in-depth exchanges on the culture, political hotspots, language learning and other aspects of the two countries.

Picture 9 Dr. Abdullah Woshmi gave a lecture to the students from the Arabic Language Department of PKU and the Saudi youth delegation

Picture 10 Dr. Fahd Sultan gave a lecture to the students from the Arabic Language Department of PKU and the Saudi youth delegation

Doctor Zaid, Deputy Supervisor General of KAPL, expressed his hope that the Library Branch could be a bridge for exchanges between Chinese and Saudi youths and help more people understand and contribute to the development of relations between the two countries, and in this way the friendship between China and Saudi Arabia will carry on and blossom in the future.