Badran, upon receiving a donation from the Chinese Embassy: The Lebanese University is a platform for civilizational encounter… China’s ambassador affirms support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security

Lebanese University President Professor Bassam Badran received a donation from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China consisting of a number of computers, presented by Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong, in the presence of a Chinese diplomatic and cultural delegation, as well as representatives of the Lebanese University, its deans, and a number of its officials.

The Chinese delegation included the embassy’s cultural attaché, Pan Pai, First Secretary Wu Shutao, and the ambassador’s office director, He Xiaoheng. Representing the Lebanese University were the coordinator of the Office of External Relations, Dr. Véronique Kaspar, along with deans of faculties and institutes and the university president’s adviser, Dr. Ali Rammal.

During the meeting, Badran welcomed the ambassador and the accompanying delegation, pointing to “the ongoing cooperation for years between the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, its Center for Languages and Translation, and Chinese universities.”

Badran said: “It is an honor for the Lebanese University to welcome the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Chuandong, in a meeting that reflects the depth of the cultural and scientific relations between our two countries and confirms that universities are a platform for civilizational encounter and bridges of communication between peoples.”

He added: “Your presence today at the Lebanese University reinforces a firm conviction that knowledge is a universal language, and that investing in education and scientific research is the best path to building a brighter future. As we at the Lebanese University commend your symbolic initiative of presenting a number of computers, we consider it evidence of mutual trust and of a shared belief that academic cooperation opens new horizons for our students and professors to engage with global experiences—something the Lebanese University is keen to strengthen with dozens of prestigious universities around the world, including Chinese universities distinguished by their scientific and technological expertise.”

Badran continued: “As the Lebanese University celebrates 75 years since its founding—its diamond jubilee—it remains faithful to its mission of building the individual, deeply rooted in its land, open to the world, and moving forward on the path of giving and excellence.”

He concluded: “On behalf of the Lebanese University, I extend my deepest thanks to His Excellency the ambassador for his generous initiative, and I hope this meeting will serve as an occasion to consolidate spaces of encounter and lasting cooperation.”

For his part, the Chinese ambassador pointed to the long-standing relations linking Lebanon and China for more than fifty years, expressing his pride in the resilience shown by the Lebanese University under difficult circumstances, and noting the “extended cooperation between the Lebanese University and China, not only in teaching the Chinese language, but in various fields of exchange.”

He affirmed that he “will do his utmost to assign Chinese professors to the Lebanese University to continue teaching the Chinese language.”

He concluded by saying: “This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and China, and our embassy looks forward to organizing cultural events and welcomes the participation of the Lebanese University in them,” adding: “We support Lebanon’s sovereignty and security and stand in solidarity with it.”