The opening ceremony for an international forum -- “Belt and Road: Education, Science and Culture” -- is held on Oct 15 at Kalmyk State University in Elista, capital of the Republic of Kalmyk in the Russian Federation. [Photo/imu.edu.cn]

A delegation from Inner Mongolia University, or IMU, attended the second international forum -- “Belt and Road: Education, Science and Culture” -- held at Kalmyk State University in Elista, capital of the Republic of Kalmyk in the Russian Federation on Oct 15-17.

Supported by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and Kalmyk State University, the forum was hosted by the Confucius Institute at the university.

It attracted the participation of 21 experts and academics from universities and research institutions in China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative -- and over 150 students and teachers from Kalmyk State University.

Wei Yonggui, dean of the School of Literature and Journalism at IMU, delivered a speech on behalf of the school’s Party secretary Zhu Bingwen congratulating the forum.

Wei said that, in the important year marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, links between the two countries would continue to deepen.

He cited the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era.

Wei said there would be further cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as business and commerce and people to people exchanges.

University officials said that IMU will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Kalmyk State University and continue to work with the university to build its Confucius Institute.

At the forum guests, experts and academics put forward practical suggestions on friendly Sino-Russian relations, the Confucius Institute construction and development, Chinese language teaching and Chinese culture, among other things.