On the morning of April 17, 2024, the opening ceremony of the "Urban Planning and Construction Seminar for French-speaking African Countries", a short-term foreign aid training project sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and hosted by our school, was held in our school. Vice President Gao Yan attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

      Gao Yan welcomed the officials who attended the seminar. She introduced the basic situation of the school, and said that since the "the belt and road initiative" initiative was put forward, our school has actively served the major strategic needs of the country and given full play to its professional advantages and characteristics. Up to now, nearly 20 urban planning seminars have been held, and more than 400 officials from all over the world have been discussed how to make cities smarter, greener and more sustainable, and China's experience has been shared. Gao Yan introduced the relevant courses of this seminar, and put forward ardent hopes for the officials, hoping that the officials can act as ambassadors of China-Africa exchanges, make contributions to promoting pragmatic cooperation and deepening the friendship between the Chinese and African people, and contribute to the implementation of the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035.

      At the opening ceremony, Alun Musangu Mulumba, a representative of the seminar participants and adviser to the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, made a speech. He said that the disparity between urban and rural modernization development in China and Africa is very common, and he very much hopes to share and discuss with Chinese experts the public health problems, housing problems, health problems, employment problems, garbage management problems, sewage treatment problems, etc. caused by urbanization, and learn from China's valuable experience and solutions in the field of urban planning and construction. He also hopes to reach relevant cooperation with Chinese cities and build a fruitful bridge for China-Africa friendship.

      The 18 officials who participated in this seminar came from five French-speaking African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Gabon, Mauritius and Tunisia. During the 14-day seminar, they will study and teach on the spot in Beijing, and will visit Chongqing to get an in-depth understanding of China's development experience in urban planning and construction.

      Relevant responsible comrades from the School of International Education, the School of Architecture and Art, and the International Office attended the opening ceremony.