On March 3, Miguel Mejía, Minister of Policies for Regional Integration of the Dominican Republic, and his party visited Tsinghua University and delivered a speech in the main building. Wang Hongwei, Vice President of Tsinghua University, met with Miguel Mejía and his delegation, and both sides exchanged views on strengthening the exchange of students, scholars and expanding cooperation in education, culture and other fields.

                         Wang Hongwei meets with Miguel Mejía

During the meeting, Mr. Wang welcomed Miguel Mejía’s visit and provided a brief introduction of the historic evolution and development of Tsinghua University. He mentioned that Tsinghua University launched the “2030 Agenda” in 2021, which highlighted its effort to further connection to the world, and to work with partners from various countries in areas such as higher education, talent cultivation, scientific and technological innovation, service to society, among others. He stated that Dominican scholars and young people are welcome to participate in exchanges and study at Tsinghua University, and mentioned that he looked forward to reach out for more contact with all sectors of the Dominican Republic, explore more cooperation possibilities and achieve tangible results in various fields, contributing to the strengthening of mutual understanding and friendship as a result.

Mejía congratulated Tsinghua University for its achievements in various fields in recent years, and stated that Tsinghua University, as one of the top universities in China, not only contributes to world-class academic research, but also actively advances China’s economic and social development. He expects further connection between Dominican universities and Tsinghua University, towards making the world a more sustainable place.

After the meeting, Mejía delivered a speech entitled “From the Caribbean to the Antipodes”, counting with more than 100 attending students from different schools and departments of the university.

Miguel Mejía delivers a speech

Chen Taotao presides over the activity

Briunny Garabito Segura delivers an opening address

Firstly, Miguel Mejía welcomed and thanked the students and faculty in attendance. Starting from his new book, From the Caribbean to the Antipodes, he shared his new reflection on the relations between the Dominican Republic and Asian countries, combining his personal experiences and insights into the international scheme. As a statesman with a unique global perspective, his knowledge opened a new door for young students present to establish relevant dialogues with Latin America.

In his speech, Mejía reviewed the historical relation between China and the Dominican Republic, as well as the good momentum in bilateral ties and broader prospects for cooperation. He expressed his hope to continue to expand cooperation between the two countries and progressively make it more diverse and effective.

Scene of the speech

In the Q&A session, Mejía spoke in depth with the teachers and students of Tsinghua University on topics such as the China-Dominica cooperation, prospects of people-to-people exchanges, and the role of young people in international exchanges and cooperation.

Q&A session

Following the Q&A session, Song Junying, Director of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, China Academy of International Studies, shared his views on Mejía’s speech and new book from three dimensions: “A wise man does not get confused”, “a brave man shows no fear”, and “a man of action is not tired”.

Song Junying shares and exchanges his views

At the end of the speech, Chen Bo’xian, a student representative from the Academy of Arts & Design, presented Mejía with a portrait painting specially painted on site for the event.

Student representative Chen Bo’xian presents a painting to Mejía

The meeting was attended by Briunny Garabito Segura, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to China; Jin Xiaopeng, Deputy Director of the Fifth Bureau of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC; Song Junying, Director of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, China Academy of International Studies; Chen Taotao, Director of Tsinghua Latin American Center; and relevant persons in charge of the Office of International Affairs and the Center for Global Competence Development at Tsinghua University.

Miguel Mejía, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in July 1955, served as Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic in 1996, Secretary of State from 2004 to 2012, and Minister of Policies for Regional Integration from 2012 to present.

With his long-term commitment to deepening the relation between the Dominican Republic and fraternal countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Vietnam, North Korea and China; Mejía has significantly contributed to the promotion of diplomatic ties between the Dominican Republic and China.