Slovak Ambassador to China Peter Lizak visited Beijing International Studies University (BISU) on Dec 20.

Ji Jinbiao, deputy secretary of the CPC BISU Committee and president of the university, extended a warm welcome to the ambassador on his first visit to the university, and expressed gratitude for the strong support from the embassy in the exchanges between the two sides.

Ji (R) communicates with the ambassador.

During the meeting, Ji highlighted BISU’s internationalization efforts and its cooperation achievements with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). He mentioned that Slovak high-level delegations and representatives from the embassy and educational institutions have visited BISU on many occasions.

BISU and Constantine the Philosopher University have signed a collaboration framework agreement, which was one of the achievements of the 8th China-CEEC Summit, Ji noted, adding that the two universities also quickly resumed teacher exchanges under the Erasmus+ program after the pandemic.

A meeting is held to discuss cooperation and exchange between the two sides.

Peter Lizak expressed gratitude for BISU’s reception and praised the cooperation achievements between the two sides. He said that both sides share the enthusiasm for exchanges between the two countries, and promised that he would work for further cooperation between Slovak universities and BISU.

The ambassador also shared his personal experience of learning multiple foreign languages, emphasizing the importance of one’s linguistic environment.

He showed keen interest in BISU’s curriculum offerings for international students and relevant policies. He said he hoped to see more Slovak students coming to BISU to study Chinese and other subjects such as economics.

Participants of the meeting pose for a group photo.

The ambassador and the Slovak language students from the school of European Studies, Class of 2020, held a discussion. The students welcomed the ambassador through traditional Slovak customs such as dipping bread in salt. They also recited a Slovak poem and sang the song “Silent Night” for the ambassador.  

The students shared their motivations and experiences in learning the Slovak language. The ambassador acknowledged their language proficiency and shared his insights gained by learning foreign languages, as well as his work and life experiences. He encouraged the students to understand Slovakia and assured them of the embassy's active support for their further studies in the country.

The ambassador meets with the BISU teachers and students.

The ambassador also visited BISU’s history museum.