Guangzhou strengthens EU ties on its 60th anniversary

An exhibition was launched at Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) in Guangzhou to mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the treaty establishing the European Economic Community in Rome in 1957.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, the European Union's ambassador to China, stressed the importance of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and China.

"Cooperation between our universities, academic cooperation, more student exchange, people-to-people cooperation," Hans said. "This is certainly something which needs to be strengthened even more. This is the backbone of our relationship."

In terms of political and economic cooperation, Hans said that the EU and China has built a long-lasting friendship over the years, and stressed that for the future there should be a focus on universities and young people.

"I'm happy to see the number of European students here and if I look at the number of Chinese students at universities in Europe. This really offers the vision for a bright future for both of us."

Sun Yat-sen University has a long history of collaboration with universities, research institutions, and government organizations based in the EU, said Xiao Haipeng, vice-president of the university.

The university has 70 institutional partnerships with universities in 13 European countries, and hosts more than 700 European students on campus every year as exchange students, visiting students and full-time degree seeking students.

"Through educational cooperation, we are creating platforms for grassroots dialogue, exchange, and cooperation between SYSU and our European partners," Xiao said.