On March 24, a delegation led by H.E. Jonathan Austin, New Zealand’s Ambassador to China, visited Hainan University (HNU). President Luo Qingming, also Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) received the delegation and held talks with them in Room 402 of the Office Building.

President Luo Qingming (right) meets with H.E. Jonathan Austin (left). (Photo by Zhang Mengting)

H.E. Jonathan Austin extended his gratitude for HNU’s hospitality and lauded its tremendous development in recent years. He pointed out that the importance of international university cooperation has become increasingly prominent at present. Transnational education shoulders the responsibility of sharing global wisdom and building people-to-people connections. New Zealand will further open its international education sector and offer more convenient pathways for Chinese students to study and work there.. Looking ahead, he expressed hope to deepen bilateral cooperation in education, leverage respective strengths, and uphold inclusiveness and mutual learning.

President Luo Qingming warmly welcomed Dr. Jonathan Austin and his delegation, and outlined HNU’s remarkable strides in talent cultivation, scientific research and international cooperation and exchanges. He noted that, by fully leveraging the Hainan Free Trade Port’s unique advantages in geography, natural resources and application scenarios, HNU would continue its open and inclusive approach to education, with a focus on serving “Belt and Road” initiative. He also called for deepening pragmatic collaboration with New Zealand universities in joint education programs, scientific innovation and faculty and student exchanges. He expressed hope that this visit would pave the way for deeper collaboration and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

Prior to the meeting, H.E. Jonathan Austin and his delegation toured the Hainan University History Museum and the School of Information and Communication Engineering.

New Zealand’s Ambassador to China H.E. Jonathan Austin visits Hainan University and tours the Hainan University History Museum. (Photo by Zhou Mingxuan)

New Zealand’s Ambassador to China H.E. Jonathan Austin visits HNU and tours the School of Information and Communication Engineering. (Photo by Dai Fanqin)

The event was also attended by Mr. Michael Zhang and Ms Paige Kawana, Consul-General and Deputy Consul-General of the New Zealand Consulate-General in Guangzhou, HNU Vice President Yue Wen, as well as heads of relevant units and departments.