On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal, the 25th anniversary of the return of Macau to China and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Educational and Scientific Research among Renmin University of China, the University of Macau, and the University of Coimbra was signed in Coimbra, Portugal, a move marking the strengthening of the political mutual trust, the fruitful economic and trade cooperation, and the encouraging progress in mutual cultural enrichment between China and Portugal.

Zhao Bentang, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhang Donggang, Chair of the University Council of RUC, Rui P. Martins, Vice Rector of the University of Macau, and Amílcar Falcão, Rector of the University of Coimbra, attended the ceremony.

The three universities held in-depth exchanges on deepening practical cooperation. A consensus were reached on jointly promoting the young generation to grow into messengers of Sino-Portuguese cultural exchanges, contributors of civilization exchanges and mutual understanding in the new era, and creators of a new form of human civilization so as to expedite the implementation of Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, providing new momentum into the development of global higher education and contributing to the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

Zhao Bentang addressed at the signing ceremony. He reviewed the sound and healthy development of bilateral relationship between China and Portugal since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago. Going forward, he hoped that, on the basis of established cooperation in traditional fields, the three universities will further align their development strategies, explore the potential for cooperation, reinforce each other with their respective advantages, and contribute to the development of friendly relations between China and Portugal. He stated that the Embassy in Portugal will, as always, serve as a platform for Sino-Portuguese educational exchanges and promote the development of friendly relations between the two countries.

Zhang Donggang stressed that the establishment of a cooperation mechanism among the three universities is conductive to their efforts to seek common development and cooperation in the new era, greatly accelerating the civilization exchanges, mutual understanding and advancement of human civilization. RUC stands ready to work hand in hand with the University of Macau and the University of Coimbra to engage in diversified cooperation and exchanges, create a new mode of talent cultivation, integrate the advantages of resources, provide new impetus for scientific research, and to set up a new platform for civilization enrichment and mutual understanding.

Rui P. Martins noted in his online speech that the MOU for Cooperation among the three not only help consolidate the role of the University of Macau as a bridge connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, but also contribute to the talent cultivation and scientific research among the three parts. Calling this cooperation an innovative move to explore a new path for modern universities to tackle the challenges of globalization and development, he believed the gesture will help provide more opportunities for in-depth cooperation among the three universities in such areas as people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding. Looking ahead, Martins look forward to deepening cross-field research and international academic cooperation with RUC and the University of Coimbra through the exchange of faculty and students and other forms of mutual visits.

Amílcar Falcão said that the MOU witnesses the power of cultural enrichment and academic cooperation, and it will also set a stellar example for international education development. On behalf of the University of Coimbra, he reaffirmed the university’s commitment to make full use of the good opportunities presented by Sino-Portuguese cooperation, further boost its cooperative relationship with Chinese universities, and make the University a bridge in Sino-Portuguese educational cooperation.

During his visit to Portugal, Zhang Donggang also met Zhao Bentang, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, and Luís FERREIRA, President of the University of Lisbon and exchanged views on the cooperation and exchanges in education between Chinese and Portuguese universities with them.

Following that, the School of Arts of RUC respectively signed cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra and the faculty of fine arts of University of Lisbon, and launched the “High-level Art Talent Training Project for Mutual Learning of Sino-European Civilization.