On July 2, Zhang Donggang, secretary of the CPC Renmin University of China (RUC) Committee, led a delegation to visit the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). 

During the visit, Zhang attended the launch ceremony of the "RUC–UNAM Advanced Program on the Global Significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", where he delivered the opening lecture.

Zhang noted in his lecture that RUC is widely regarded as a banner of higher education in the humanities and social sciences in China, while UNAM is one of the largest and the oldest comprehensive universities in Latin America. The joint establishment of the advanced program aims to create a high-level, sustainable platform for academic dialogue and to deepen discussions on development issues concerning contemporary China and Latin American countries. He expressed the hope that, taking this program as a new starting point, both sides would promote its institutionalization and regular operation, jointly explore pathways to modernization, and work together to build a China–Latin America community with a shared future.

Building on 37 years of productive cooperation, and with the renewal of the inter-university agreement as a new opportunity, Zhang emphasized the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and experience sharing among Chinese and Mexican scholars and students, thereby enriching perspectives on contemporary China and global issues.

William Lee, vice-president of UNAM, said that UNAM and RUC have long maintained close and fruitful cooperation in student exchanges, academic seminars, joint publications and mutual visits. The launch of the new program, he noted, enables Mexican students and scholars to gain a deeper understanding of the global significance of Chinese modernization, provides valuable reference for discussions on China–Latin America relations, and contributes to promoting friendly exchanges and the comprehensive strategic partnership between Mexico and China. He added that the initiative opens new avenues for modern universities in both countries to jointly address the challenges of globalization and offers further opportunities for cooperation in civilizational exchange, mutual learning, and think tank collaboration. He expressed expectations for expanded faculty and student exchanges, joint training programs and broader interdisciplinary research and international academic cooperation with RUC.

Chen Daojiang, Chinese ambassador to Mexico, attended the launch ceremony and delivered remarks.

During the visit, the two universities renewed the "Framework Cooperation Agreement between Renmin University of China and the National Autonomous University of Mexico" and the student exchange agreement.

Zhang Donggang (center left) and William Lee (center right) renew cooperation agreements between Renmin University of China and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.