Zheng Chengjun, vice-president of Beijing International Studies University (BISU) and a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee, led a delegation on a visit to Portugal and Tunisia from Oct 19 to 25. The trip aimed to expand the university's educational collaboration resources in Europe and Africa and to strengthen practical inter-university cooperation networks.

In Portugal, Zheng attended the 2025 Board Meeting of the Confucius Institute at the University of Coimbra, joined by Vice-Chancellor João Calvão da Silva and Huang Aijun from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.

Discussions focused on key annual tasks and financial planning. Zheng emphasized the importance of the Confucius Institute continuing its "Chinese + Traditional Chinese Medicine" educational model to enhance its influence in international Chinese education in Portugal.

The three parties renewed their agreement with the Chinese International Education Foundation to co-build the Confucius Institute. Zheng also met with representatives from nine faculties at the University of Coimbra and visited 30 BISU students majoring in Portuguese who were studying there.

Zheng (L) poses for a photo with João Calvão da Silva and Huang (R) during the 2025 Board Meeting of the Confucius Institute at the University of Coimbra.

In Lisbon, Zheng met with João Peixoto, vice-rector of the University of Lisbon, to discuss deepening cooperation in Portuguese language testing, student and faculty exchanges, as well as regional studies. They signed agreements for student exchanges and a master's program, adding a high-level partner university for BISU students' overseas studies.

In Tunisia, Zheng met with Moez Chafra, president of the University of Tunis El Manar, and its vice-president, Asma Gati. They reviewed the history of cooperation between the two institutions and explored future collaborative directions based on their academic strengths.

Zheng invited Tunisian students to study at BISU in programs such as "An Overview of Modern China and City Development" and "Chinese + Tourism". The two universities signed a faculty and student exchange agreement, which was reported on the front page of the Tunisian state media newspaper, La Presse.

The visit of BISU delegation to the University of Tunis El Manar is reported on the front page of La Presse.

Zheng also had discussions with Lotfi Belkacem, president of the University of Sousse, to exchange views on further collaboration. He issued a confirmation letter for short-term high-level visiting scholar cooperation, inviting scholars from Sousse to conduct joint research at BISU.

Zheng (L) issues a confirmation letter for short-term high-level visiting scholar cooperation.

During the visit, the delegation met with Wan Li, China's ambassador to Tunisia, Counselor Dong Shuhui and Hu Bin, the acting charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, to report on BISU's educational and cultural exchanges with the two countries.

This visit strengthened BISU's partnerships with universities in Portugal and Tunisia, contributing to China-Europe and China-Africa cultural exchanges and educational cooperation. It achieved practical outcomes in Confucius Institute development, faculty and student exchanges, and joint research, thereby supporting BISU's commitment to educational openness and cross-cultural understanding.