Ugandan Vice President Edward Ssekandi and other officials, who attend China International Friendship Cities Conference 2018 held in Wuhan, visited Jianghan University on the afternoon of November 16. They were accompanied by Lin Yi, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. JHUN’s Party Secretary Li Qiang, President Zhang Xingping, Vice President Chen Gongjiang and senior management staff of relevant departments warmly welcomed the visitors.
In the library, Ssekandi appreciated the performance of Chinese zither (Guzheng) and Chinese dance, learned to play go (Weiqi) and visited the “Chinese National Treasures • Lute-playing, Chess, Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition”. In the exhibition hall, Party Secretary Li Qiang presented Chinese traditional paintings to Vice President Edward Ssekandi as gift.
The cultural exchange between Jianghan University and Uganda was initiated by dragon boat race. In 2016, Uganda held Dragon Boat Race on Dragon Boat Festival, the event being held on Lake Victoria, Entebbe, a friendship city of Wuhan. For two consecutive years, JHUN has sent Dragon Boat Team to participate in the event on behalf of Wuhan, which won the championship in June 2018.
During the visit, Vice President Edward Ssekandi participated in painting the hull of the dragon boat. He stood on the fourth floor of the school’s library and watched the boat racing performance from a distance. Ssekandi said that the dragon boat race symbolizes the spirit of unity and cooperation between China and Africa. While extending his thanks to Wuhan for supporting Ugandan Dragon Boat Race, he also wished the dragon boat teams from other cities in Hubei and other provinces in China to participate in the event in Uganda so as to expand the exchange channels between China and Uganda.
At Academic Exchange Center, Vice President Edward Ssekandi delivered a speech and friendlily exchanged opinions with the teachers and students present. In his speech, he encouraged young students to participate in building China–Africa Community of Common Destiny, believing that youths are the drivers of the “express” of China–Africa Community of Common Destiny. In the era of China-Africa cooperation for joint development, young people are the most important beneficiaries as well as participants.
Ssekandi suggested that the mechanism of friendly relationships between Chinese and African universities should be established in the light of the friendly relationship mechanism between international friendship cities, so as to share knowledge and experience in academic researches. Besides, exchanges between young people in the fields of sports, culture, language, dance and drama should be promoted for the coordinated development of diverse cultures between China and Africa.
While delivering the concluding remarks, President Zhang Xingping said that Uganda, as a long-term promoter and participant in China-Africa cooperation, has made significant contributions to the construction of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The visit of Vice President Edward Ssekandi will further promote the cooperation and development of the friendship between Wuhan and Entebbe as well as the contact and exchanges between Jianghan University and institutions of higher education in Uganda.
On November 14, Ma Guoqiang, Deputy Secretary of Hubei Provincial Committee and Secretary of Wuhan Municipal Committee，met Ugandan Vice President Edward Ssekandi and other officials, accompanied by Li Qiang, JHUN Party Secretary.
(Yi Jun Office of Foreign Affairs)
