Panamanian Ambassador to China Leonardo A. Kam Binns visited Beijing International Studies University (BISU) on June 30. He was warmly received by Ji Jinbiao, deputy secretary of the CPC BISU Committee and president of the university. Also in attendance were Zheng Chengjun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and BISU vice-president, as well as He Jing, assistant to the BISU president.

Ji Jinbiao, deputy secretary of the CPC BISU Committee and president of the university, meets Panamanian Ambassador to China Leonardo A. Kam Binns (left) on June 30.

Ji extended a warm welcome to Binns on his second visit to BISU and provided an overview of the university's recent developments. He emphasized that BISU stands as the sole municipally owned foreign language university in Beijing, with a notable characteristic of internationalization.

Ji highlighted the significant progress made by the Confucius Institute, a collaborative effort between BISU and the University of Panama, with strong support from the embassy. The institute was bestowed with the title of "Global Advanced Confucius Institute" in 2019, exemplifying the fruitful cooperation between China and Panama in the fields of education and culture.

Expressing his hope for continued support from the embassy, Ji emphasized the promotion of collaboration between BISU and Panamanian universities, particularly in strengthening cooperation in regional studies. He extended a warm invitation to Panamanian students seeking to pursue studies at BISU in fields such as tourism, management, and international relations. Additionally, Ji welcomed recommendations from the embassy for outstanding foreign teachers to join the BISU faculty.

Furthermore, Ji extended an invitation to Binns, as well as other ambassadors and dignitaries from Latin American countries, to visit BISU, fostering enhanced cooperation and cultural exchanges between the university and institutions in the Latin American region.

Binns expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at BISU and acknowledged the significant contributions of the Confucius Institute in promoting Chinese language education and facilitating cultural exchanges between China and Panama. He highlighted the institute's distinguished reputation in Panama, which has ignited a keen interest among Panamanians in learning Chinese.

Binns emphasized Panama's embrace of a diverse and open culture, which has earned it the reputation of being a "world bridge". He expressed a willingness to actively participate in cultural and educational cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Binns pledged support for strengthening ties and deepening cooperation between BISU and educational institutions in Panama. Additionally, he expressed readiness to provide internship and practical opportunities for BISU students, thereby contributing to bilateral cultural exchanges.

A group photo of the meeting

Accompanying the delegation was Xu Duowen, assistant to the ambassador. The meeting was attended by other university officials such as Yu Gang, director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office; Zhang Ke, vice-dean of the School of European Studies; and Yuan Yu, deputy director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office.