On October 11th, Ambassador Zhou Ding attended and delivered a speech at the Inauguration Ceremony of the China-Africa Joint Research Center for Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Civilizations and the First China-Africa Civilization Forum in Harare, jointly organized by Renmin University of China (RUC) and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). Professor Zhang Donggang, Chairman of the Council of RUC, Professor Paul Mapfumo, Vice Chancellor of UZ, the Chinese and Zimbabwean deans of the Confucius Institute at UZ, as well as around 300 teachers and students from the two universities were present at the ceremony.

    In his address, Ambassador Zhou noted that cultural exchanges and mutual learning have always been an integral part and vivid characteristics of China-Zimbabwe cooperation. The establishment of the China-Africa Joint Research Center for Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Civilizations is in line with President Xi Jinping's “6-point” proposition and “10 partnership actions” initiative for the modernization that China and Africa should jointly advance which were announced during the FOCAC Summit. It will promote high-quality academic exchanges, mutual learning, and common development among China, Zimbabwe, and African countries.

    Professor Zhang and Professor Mapfumo respectively expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between the two universities and work together to develop the center into an important platform for cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and actively contribute to the prosperity and development of both countries.