On March 17, 2017, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who is on a state visit to China, paid a special visit to Peking University to attend the inauguration ceremony of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University (“Library Branch”) and to receive the title of honorary doctorate of Peking University. Zhu Zhiwen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education of China, Hao Ping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University and Director of the School Affairs Committee, and Lin Jianhua, President of Peking University attended the ceremony. Attendants also included guests from China and Saudi Arabia, and teacher and student representatives from Peking University and sister institutions.

King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University

King Salman unveiling the Library Branch

King Salman is a witness, supporter and promoter of the friendship between Saudi Arabia and China. His Majesty has visited China twice before, attaching great importance to the development of relations between the two countries, and stays committed to strengthening cooperation with China in various fields and developing bilateral relations in depth. At 12:15 p.m., King Salman unveiled King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University. Subsequently, King Salman’s conferring ceremony of honorary doctorate of Peking University was held in the lecture hall of the Library Branch.

Hao Ping and Faisal, Chief Director of King Abdulaziz Public Library, delivered speeches successively. Hao Ping said that His Majesty King Salman has made a special trip to attend the inauguration ceremony of Peking University Branch, which demonstrates that His Majesty highly valued Peking University and China-Saudi Arabia cultural exchanges. “This landmark cultural event will surely be recorded in the annals of friendly exchanges between the two countries, and will remain in the memory of Peking University teachers and students for a long time.” Faisal pointed out that the Library Branch is a symbol of the achievements of His Majesty King Salman’s historic visit to China, and reflects His Majesty’s good wishes for promoting world peace and friendship between the two countries.

Afterwards, Lin Jianhua presented the honorary doctorate certificate of Peking University to His Majesty the King. King Salman said that Peking University is the center of dissemination of cultural knowledge in China, and will soon celebrate its 120th anniversary. His Majesty was very pleased to accept the title of honorary doctorate of Peking University, and hoped that the Library Branch in Peking University will become a cultural witness of Saudi Arabia and China, and will contribute to a broader prospect for cooperation between the two countries.

Finally, student representatives Abdul Aziz and Kong Que, on behalf of Saudi Arabia and China respectively, presented precious books from the two countries to King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University.

Hao Ping delivering the speech

Lin Jianhua presenting the honorary doctorate certificate of Peking University to King Salman

King Salman delivering the speech

Student representatives of China and Saudi Arabia presenting precious books from the two countries to the Library Branch

King Abdulaziz Public Library has three library branches around the world, located respectively in Riyadh, Casablanca, and Peking University. The Library Branch in Peking University has been a project highly valued by the leaders of the two countries. As one of the most important carriers of human civilization, libraries are the essence of civilization and represent the spiritual height of a people and a country. The completion of King Abdulaziz Public Library Branch in Peking University will not only provide Chinese readers with a wealth of Arabic books and materials, but also promote Arabic language teaching and Middle East studies at Peking University and other universities. Furthermore, it will become the bond and bridge for cultural exchanges between the two countries, and consolidate and deepen the friendship between the people of China and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the Library Branch will also be integrated with Peking University Ancient Books Library to provide better academic resources and services for PKU teachers and students.

Peking University will stay committed to promoting communications of the people and exchanges of the cultures between China and Saudi Arabia, exploring more areas and ways of cooperation, and making greater contributions to the friendly cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia and development of the two countries.

Source:https://news.pku.edu.cn/xwzh/129-297103.htm