Recently, Kang Zhen, Vice President of Beijing Normal University, led a delegation to visit Brazil, Peru, and Chile for dialogues and exchanges.

On November 12, Kang Zhen attended the China-Brazil youth dialogue event in São Paulo, Brazil, and signed a university-level macro cooperation agreement with the University of São Paulo. The delegation was received by President of the University of São PauloCarlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior and other representatives.

Kang Zhen expressed gratitude to the University of São Paulo for its longstanding support and participation in BNU’s project Looking at China. He also expressed hope that the two universities would have closer ties in areas like academic research, education, and culture, thereby laying a solid foundation for future cooperation between China and Brazil and working together to build a world of mutual trust and connection.

Carlos expressed his gratitude to BNU and the Looking at China project for their contributions to youth exchanges between China and Brazil, noted that over the years, the project has deepened the understanding and friendship between the youth of the two countries, building a strong bridge for cultural exchanges. The University of São Paulo will continue to encourage young students to actively participate in the Looking at China project and seeks to strengthen cooperation and mutual learning with BNU in various fields, contributing to global educational equity and social development.

During the event, Kang Zhen and Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective universities. The agreement aims to strengthen exchanges and collaboration between Beijing Normal University and the University of São Paulo. Following the signing, the two universities jointly opened the Stories in Light and Shadow: Looking at China virtual exhibition hall.

Prior to the visit to Brazil, Kang Zhen and BNU delegation, at the invitation of Universidad de Ricardo Palma and the Chilean Chamber of Books, attended the 2024 China-Latin America Civilization Dialogue event in Peru and the 2024 Santiago International Book Fair in Chile, where China was the Guest of Honor.

On November 6, Kang Zhen attended the 2024 China-Latin America Civilization Dialogue event in Lima, Peru. Over 150 dignitaries, experts, scholars, and business representatives from China, Peru, Argentina, and more than 10 other Latin American countries conducted discussions centered on the forum's theme, Civilizational Heritage and Modern Development.

Kang Zhen emphasized that China and Latin America share different civilizations, but can seek harmony in diversity and appreciate the culture of each other. He highlighted BNU’s efforts, including the establishment of the Institute of Chinese Culture (Jingshi Academy) and the launch of the Master’s Program in Global Development and Governanceto cultivate young leaders with cross-cultural competencies and promote China-Latin America civilizational exchanges and mutual learning. At the forum’s opening ceremony, the Institute of Chinese Culture (Jingshi Academy) of BNU, along with 53 other institutions from China and abroad, took the lead in initiating the Global Civilizational Dialogue Academic Partnership Network and jointly issued the Lima Initiative.

On November 7, Kang Zhen visited Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago and held discussions with the university’s Vice President, Lilian Ferrer. Kang Zhen briefly overviewed BNU’s academic development and institutional framework, with a particular focus on the progress of the Institute of Chinese Culture (Jingshi Academy).

Lilian Ferrer expressed her hope that this meeting would serve as an opportunity for the two universities to explore new forms and fields of cooperation. Both sides reached a consensus on cooperation in fields such as education, literature, law, and the Global Development and Governance program. They agreed to implement specific collaborative initiatives through online meetings, including youth dialogues, faculty and student exchanges, joint courses, and research partnerships.

From November 8 to 10, Kang Zhen and BNU delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 43rd Santiago International Book Fair in Chile. Beijing Normal University Press showcased a collection of 80 titles, featuring 92 high-quality publications at the exhibition.

At the exhibition, Kang Zhen, as a prominent Chinese writer and scholar, presented a calligraphy piece to President Eduardo Castillo. He also had cordialconversations with several Latin American readers.