Chinese university inks cooperation pact with Armenia think tank

A memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation has been signed between the China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research and the Renmin University of China.

The document was signed on July 7 by Mher Sahakyan, the founding head of the Armenia-based institution focusing on China and Eurasia research, and Yang Guangbin, dean of RUC's School of International Studies.

The signing took place against the backdrop of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Armenia.

The MoU covers such issues as conducting joint conferences, seminars, courses, expert consultation, implementation of research projects and preparation of publications, as well as the exchange of academic information and publications.

Sahakyan said the MoU will inject new impetus to boost further cooperation and enhance academic exchanges between the institutions.

Noting the RUC is a first-class research base on international issues and political science in China, Yang said the university hopes to expand academic and cultural communications between China and Armenia to promote bilateral exchanges.

Zheng Yuntian, director of World Socialism Institute with the RUC School of International Studies, said the MoU represented the friendship between the Chinese and Armenian people.

As the Belt and Road Initiative is becoming more important to Eurasia, Zheng said scholars should take up the responsibility to contribute to relevant studies.

The China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research has long been working with the RUC's School of International Studies. Since 2019, researchers from both sides have attended academic conferences, courses and seminars such as the Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia and the RUC Area Studies Forum.

On April 8, 2022, the two sides jointly organized the first Armenia and China Forum.