Azerbaijani Sinology center launched

The launch ceremony of "China Research Center of Khazar University" was held online on Oct 21. The center is jointly sponsored by the World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University and Khazar University of Azerbaijan.

Guo Min, China's ambassador to Azerbaijan, expressed congratulations on the launch of the center, adding that this year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan. She said the Chinese embassy in Azerbaijan will also fully support the development of the center, hoping that the center can make contributions to building a shared future for mankind, as well as promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries. It will also add lasting strength and stability to global academic cooperation.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to China Akram Zeynalli said in his speech that the educational exchanges between China and Azerbaijan have developed rapidly with the support of Beijing Language and Culture University. Today, the launch of center is of great significance to the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. He hoped that the center serves as a channel where experts from around the world will be able to better understand China and tell its stories

Agshin Aliyev, director of the Department of Azerbaijani Language at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said in his speech that a major dilemma facing the development of Sinology in Azerbaijan is the lack of high-level learning or research institutions that can offer Chinese courses.

"As a Sinologist myself, I am very happy to see the launch of the center, the establishment of the center will provide courses to open up a new horizon of research and bring traditional Chinese culture to the world, which is vital to the sustainable development of Sinology," he said.

Xu Baofeng, dean of the Belt and Road Research Institute of Beijing Language and Culture University and director of the World Sinology Center, said the World Sinology Center has connected with nearly 5,000 Sinologists from more than 100 countries speaking 67 languages. The Azerbaijani center will carry out in-depth cooperation in the fields of bilateral cultural exchanges between the two countries.