Academics from Uganda’s Makerere University and several Chinese institutions, including Xiangtan University, have gathered in the Ugandan capital of Kampala for a two-day conference focused on enhancing cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Africa.
Buyinza Mukadasi, speaking on behalf of Makerere University’s vice chancellor, noted that the conference held on Monday coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University.
Established jointly by Xiangtan University and Makerere University and inaugurated in December 2014, the institute has served as a key platform for cultural exchange, bridging the gap between China and Uganda and promoting global citizenship.
During the conference, scholars will discuss and share research on language, literature, and cultural exchanges between Chinese and African people.
Pan Biling, president of Xiangtan University, addressed the conference via video link, highlighting Xiangtan’s significant role in trade, cultural exchanges, and technical cooperation between China and Africa, as well as China and Uganda. Pan emphasized that deepening cooperation between China and Africa could lead to significant progress in addressing global issues such as poverty reduction, welfare improvement, environmental enhancement, and the protection of cultural diversity.
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said”Bridges are built that bring our people and hearts closer,” and noting that cooperation in education, healthcare, and vocational training has produced fruitful results. He also mentioned that China’s Global Civilization Initiative has been positively received by African countries, including Uganda.
The conference has been attended by professors, doctors, and deans from China’s Nanjing University, Shanghai Normal University, Zhejiang Normal University, Hohai University, and Xiangtan University.