On March 14, Jin Gang, a member of the CPC Xinjiang University Committee and vice-president of the university, led a delegation to Beijing International Studies University (BISU) for a research visit. Ji Jinbiao, deputy secretary of the CPC BISU Committee and president of the university, met with the delegation.

Ji extended a warm welcome to Jin and his delegation. He said that BISU has always focused on international education, tourism management and international people-to-people exchange.

He expressed the hope that this exchange would serve as an opportunity to further strengthen communication and deepen academic mutual learning, adding that under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, both parties should maintain interaction on topics of mutual concern, explore possibilities for cooperation, and share development opportunities.

Jin expressed gratitude for the warm reception and outlined the basic situation of Xinjiang University and the objectives of the visit. He said that Xinjiang University, located in the core area of the BRI, has a natural geographic advantage in relation to Central Asian countries. He said he hoped to further deepen ties with BISU, leveraging the resource endowments and unique advantages of both parties to expand cooperation, jointly promote academic exchanges and talent cultivation and contribute to regional economic and social development.

Ji Jinbiao (R) meets with Jin Gang.

Zhang Yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and vice-president of the university, held discussions with Jin and his delegation at the university's Culture and Tourism Big Data Lab. They engaged in discussions and exchanges on matters such as the training program for Uzbek tourism officials, academic discipline development, talent cultivation and laboratory development.

Zhang Yan speaks at the meeting held at the university's Culture and Tourism Big Data Lab.

Zhang welcomed Jin and his delegation, and outlined the basic situation of BISU's first and second Advanced Seminars on Silk Road Cultural and Tourism Development and the Seminars on Enhancing Capabilities of Cultural and Tourism Research in Central Asian Countries (Uzbekistan) and the Sino-Uzbek Educational Forum.

Jin praised BISU's contributions to Sino-Uzbek cooperation and exchange. He spoke about the background and policies of Xinjiang University's plan to host a training program for Uzbek tourism officials and consulted on the possibility of cooperation with relevant institutions regarding the training program.

Jin Gang praises BISU's contributions to Sino-Uzbek cooperation and exchange.

Wu Liyun, executive vice-president of BISU's China Academy of Culture and Tourism, spoke about the course system, exchange visits and field study arrangements of the two seminars hosted by BISU, emphasizing the key points to be noted in organizing the seminars. She highlighted the importance of a "theory + practice" training system to enhance participants' professional capabilities and global perspectives.

Lyu Ning, dean of the School of Tourism Sciences, exchanged views with the Xinjiang University delegation on academic discipline development, talent cultivation and laboratory development. Lyu also spoke about the 14th National College Students' Red Tourism Creative Planning Competition co-hosted by BISU. The competition, held in Shihezi, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, was aimed to cultivate students' sense of responsibility and mission.

Both parties agreed to take this meeting, their discussion and exchange as an opportunity to jointly explore the development of cultural and tourism education and academic exchanges, jointly serving the integration of national culture and tourism and the BRI construction, and acting as envoys of international people-to-people exchanges.