On the afternoon of December 7, 2022, the sixth board meeting of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University (“Library Branch”) was convened in the conference room of the Library Branch, taking the form of online video conference. Attendants of the meeting included: Faisal Muaammar, Chief Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library; Abdulrahman Alharbi, Saudi Ambassador to China; Abdulkareem Zaid, Deputy Chief Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library; Mohammed Ajlan, Vice President of Saudi-Chinese Business Council; Ashraf Fagih, Vice President of Aramco’s Public Affairs Department; Bander Mubarak, Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library; Abed Shreef, the Saudi Deputy Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University; Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University; Sun Qingwei, Vice President of Peking University; Fu Zhiming, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages; Wang Zhouyi, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Li Yun, Dean of the Office of International Relations; Zheng Ruqing, Vice Dean of the Office of International Relations; and Zhang Meiping, the Chinese Deputy Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University. The meeting was presided over by Zheng Qingwen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University Library and Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University.

At the video conference

Faisal, the current rotating president of the board, said in his speech that the Library Branch has made remarkable achievements since the beginning of its operation. He thanked Peking University for its attention and support to the Library Branch, and hoped to take the fifth anniversary of the Library Branch as an opportunity to organize activities such as youth exchange programs and scholars’ visits between China and Saudi Arabia, as well as the translating and publishing of literary and cultural works of the two countries. Bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation will be further strengthened through these activities, which then will promote the long-term development of the Library Branch. At the same time, Faisal hoped that the Library Branch will continue to play as a bridge between China and Saudi Arabia, and make greater contributions to the friendship, cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries.

Sun Qingwei said in his speech that the Library Branch is an important result of the friendly cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, generated by the valuable exchanges between Chinese and Arabian cultures. Since the beginning of its operation, Peking University has attached great importance to the Library Branch, and has actively supported the construction and development of it. In recent years, the Library Branch has made remarkable achievements in enhancing the security of document services, serving the development of the industry and promoting cultural exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia. Peking University is willing to work with King Abdulaziz Public Library to run the Library Branch well, and jointly promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries.

Gong Qihuang said that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Saudi Arabia will greatly enhance the traditional friendship between China and Saudi Arabia and promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Arabian civilizations. The Library Branch has been in operation for nearly five years, and has made remarkable achievements and accomplished the expected goals. Peking University hopes to work with King Abdulaziz Public Library to jointly promote the construction of the Library Branch, making it a model in cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia. Peking University and King Abdulaziz Public Library will make greater contributions to the traditional friendship between China and Saudi Arabia and the construction of a China-Arabia community with a shared future in the new era.

The board fully affirmed the Library Branch’s work in 2022, reviewed and approved the Library Branch’s work plan and annual budget for 2023, and signed the 2023 fund agreement.

Photo taken at the Peking University meeting

Source: https://news.pku.edu.cn/xwzh/4c069e2334344324a4b937a9b3124d61.htm