Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inaugurated the Kazakhstan branch of the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in Astana on Wednesday, marking a significant step in educational and cultural cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.
President Xi is on a state visit to Kazakhstan and is also set to attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The opening of the BLCU branch underscores the strengthening ties between the two nations, particularly in the fields of education and cultural exchange.
President Tokayev, a fluent Chinese speaker and distinguished alumnus of BLCU, expressed his enthusiasm for the university’s expansion into Kazakhstan. “The establishment of BLCU’s branch in Astana will foster deeper understanding and collaboration between our peoples,” he remarked during the ceremony.
The BLCU is renowned for its specialization in teaching Chinese language and culture to foreign students. Its new branch in Astana aims to provide opportunities for Kazakh students and scholars to engage more closely with Chinese language and culture, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation.
The inauguration aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation on a transcontinental scale. Educational exchanges are a vital component of this initiative, facilitating people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.
President Xi emphasized the importance of educational collaboration in his remarks. “Education is the foundation of our future partnership. The opening of BLCU’s branch in Astana will serve as a bridge connecting our youth and fostering friendship between China and Kazakhstan,” he said.
The event highlights the ongoing commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability and development through educational and cultural initiatives.
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President Xi, Tokayev attend inauguration of BLCU branch in Astana
cgtn.com
