Universities partner for 35th China-Brunei diplomatic anniversary events

To mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei, two universities recently teamed up to host a series of academic and cultural exchange activities in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Chongqing University partnered with Bandar Seri Begawan's University Brunei Darussalam for the event, which was developed to deepen cooperation between the institutions.

From Aug 23 to 30, the 2nd Global Urban Innovation & Development Symposium (GUIDeS 2026) and the 2026 China-Brunei Youth Innovation Camp for Sustainable Development brought together teachers and students from both universities for academic discussions, joint design projects and field studies focusing on urban innovation, sustainable development, and cultural exchange.

GUIDeS 2026 opened on Aug 26 at the campus in Brunei, drawing over 100 experts, scholars, students, and industry representatives from more than 10 countries. Discussions covered resilient cities, sustainable infrastructure, urban health and well-being, the circular economy, and urban innovation.

A standout feature of the Youth Innovation Camp was a joint design workshop on Aug 24 and 25. Students from both universities collaborated to rebuild six cultural pavilions at the university. The pavilions were originally designed and built in Chongqing by 31 students from six universities across five countries earlier this year.

According to the Chongqing school, the two institutions have expanded their collaborative efforts in recent years. In 2023, Chongqing University launched the University Network for Research Collaboration: A Belt and Road Science and Technology Initiative. In January, the two universities signed a memorandum of understanding to further strengthen cooperation in scientific research, talent development, and international exchanges. Currently, they are also exploring new interdisciplinary research areas, such as biodiversity conservation in tropical rainforests.

Li Yuan contributed to this story.