On February 4, President Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay visited Beijing Foreign Studies University. Li Hai, secretary of the CPC Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) Committee; Jia Wenjian, president of BFSU and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU Committee; Zhao Gang, vice president of BFSU and member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU Committee; as well as Huang Yazhong, Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay; Zhang Wenwei, counselor of the Department of Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Zhang Jin, deputy director general of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education; attended the event.
Li Hai and Jia Wenjian welcomed President Orsi at the Lize Pavilion at 9:00, east of the Main Building. President Orsi visited the China-Uruguay Friendship Tree planted by former Uruguayan President José Mujica in 2013, where he was briefed on its maintenance. Accompanied by Li Hai and Jia Wenjian, he added soil to the tree and unveiled a new plaque for the China-Uruguay Friendship Tree. Li Hai presented Orsi with a certificate of stewardship for the tree. Orsi then delivered a short speech, noting that the spruce symbolizes the friendship between the two countries and wishing bilateral relations would take deep roots, thrive and remain evergreen like the tree.
Later, President Orsi and his delegation arrived at the Wenhua Hall, where they met and exchanged views with teachers and students from 16 universities and middle schools in Beijing that offer Spanish language education. The exchange event was presided over by Jia Wenjian.
On behalf of BFSU, Li Hai delivered a speech welcoming President Orsi's visit. He briefly introduced the university's history and development, and reviewed the long history and notable achievements of BFSU's Spanish program. He stated that BFSU has maintained close cooperation and exchanges with Uruguay and looks forward to further deepening exchanges and collaboration with universities and academic institutions in Uruguay, so as to cultivate more young ambassadors of friendship proficient in each other's languages and cultures, who will promote China-Uruguay friendship.
Huang Yazhong delivered a speech in which he recounted his two working experiences in Uruguay as an alumnus of BFSU, and shared his understanding of China-Uruguay friendly relations through three short stories. He noted that this year marks the 38th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of generations on both sides, the seed of friendship between the two countries has grown into a towering tree. He expressed the hope that young students will become envoys of friendship no matter where they go or what careers they pursue in the future.
Subsequently, President Orsi delivered a speech. He stated that cooperation and dialogue constitute the foundation for the survival and development of Uruguay. China embraces a long-term vision for development. Although countries differ from one another, mutual understanding, recognition and respect are essential. He fondly recalled the scene when then Uruguayan President José Mujica planted the Friendship Tree 13 years ago, adding that his act of adding soil to the tree on this occasion symbolizes the aspiration for bilateral relations to remain resilient and grow stronger over time. He emphasized that mutual trust is at the core of sound and stable relations between countries. Academic exchanges play an important role, particularly those between China and Uruguay as well as between China and Latin America, which represent one of the deepest forms of cooperation, which lays a solid foundation for enhancing people-to-people bonds. He expressed the hope that the two sides can learn from each other's experience, broaden their perspectives, and jointly promote peace and development through cooperation and dialogue.
After the speech, Orsi engaged in a Q&A session with faculty members and students present. The audience asked questions enthusiastically, and Orsi addressed topics such as Uruguay's "national character" and the shared characteristics of Latin America, President Mujica's philosophical ideas, the significance of education, and the cultural symbols of the Uruguayan people. The atmosphere was lively, punctuated by frequent applause.
On behalf of the faculty and students of BFSU, Li Hai presented President Orsi with a painting of the China-Uruguay Friendship Tree created by students from the Department of Hispanic and Portuguese of BFSU.
Before the event began, President Orsi visited an exhibition showcasing the teaching and exchange achievements of the Spanish Department of BFSU and left a handwritten inscription. To warmly welcome President Orsi, students from the Spanish Department performed a solo performance of the song "Tu Vestido" and a poetry recitation of "Montevideo," both of which were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. After the event, President Orsi highly commended the students' performance and specially invited the student performer to participate in a live video call with the original singer.
Also in attendance were members of the Uruguayan delegation, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Lubetkin, Ambassador to China Aníbal Cabral, Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Alfredo Fratti, and Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining Cardona. Also present were Mao Dongmin, Director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs, Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education; He Jing, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, BFSU; and Chang Fuliang, Dean of the Department of Hispanic and Portuguese of BFSU.
