Mr. Xi Jinping's reply to Mr. Ramon Rebolet, President of Kehn University in the United States.

In a recent communication, President Xi Jinping responded to Ramon Repollet, president of Ken University in the United States, encouraging Chinese and American universities to enhance their collaboration and contribute to the advancement of Sino-US relations.

Xi Jinping indicated that in 2006, I witnessed the signing ceremony of Sino-US cooperation in establishing Wenzhou Ken University in your university. With the joint efforts of both parties, Wenzhou Ken University has achieved remarkable results and has become a landmark project of Sino-US educational cooperation, which is gratifying.

Xi Jinping highlighted the interdependence of Sino-US relations and the well-being of the two countries' populations, as well as the broader implications for global stability and progress. Educational exchanges and cooperation facilitate mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, particularly the younger generation, and represent a promising avenue for future growth in Sino-US relations. In your letter, you indicated your intention to expand the collaboration with Wenzhou Ken University and to encourage American students to participate in exchange and study programs in China. I appreciate your consideration. It is hoped that colleges and universities in the two countries will strengthen their exchanges and cooperation in various forms, cultivate young envoys who understand both China and the United States, and build more bridges to promote Sino-US friendship.

Xi Jinping said in his reply that you and other people in the American education industry are welcome to visit China. Please also convey my greetings to the former president, Dr. Farashi.

In May 2006, under the guidance of Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, Wenzhou University and Ken University officially signed a contract with the United States, and decided to cooperate to establish Wenzhou Ken University. In 2014, the Ministry of Education granted approval for the establishment of Wenzhou Ken University. Currently, there are approximately 4,500 undergraduate and doctoral students, with a total of over 3,300 undergraduate graduates trained to date. Recently, Rebolet, President of Kehn University in the United States, sent a letter to President Xi Jinping to introduce the situation and achievements of cooperation in running the school. He stated that he would actively respond to President Xi's initiative to help more American teenagers come to China for exchange and study and promote the strengthening of exchanges between the young generation in China and the United States.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

ZJNU&KUUnited Institute of Education

School of Joint Education, Kansas University, Zhejiang Normal University

The United School of Education of Kansas University of Zhejiang Normal University is the only Sino-US cooperative educational institution in China approved by the Ministry of Education in April 2023. The college is a joint venture between Zhejiang Normal University and the high-level research university of Kansas in the United States. The institution's strategic positioning, high starting point, innovation and internationalization, is designed to cultivate high-quality talents, including outstanding teachers with national and global perspectives, professional expertise, and an innovative spirit. The college offers four majors, including a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Science and Technology Education. It emphasizes a Chinese-based curriculum with an international perspective. In 2023, the first 58 undergraduate students, hailing from Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, and other provinces and cities, benefited from the subject strengths, resources, and platforms of the two universities during their inaugural year of study. Upon learning that President Xi Jinping had replied to the president of Ken University in the United States, the teachers and students of the college studied the reply and discussed Sino-US cultural and educational exchanges.

Hot discussion among teachers and students

Mao Xilong, Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Department of Zhejiang Normal University:

Zhejiang Normal University and the University of Kansas have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, with teachers and students on both sides exchanging ideas and forming strong bonds. The Joint School of Education of Kansas University and Zhejiang Normal University represents a comprehensive collaboration encompassing cultural, educational, and youth exchange initiatives. This platform offers our teachers and students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the United States and the cultural and educational characteristics of Kansas. It also allows them to showcase the educational advantages and achievements of Zhejiang and even China to the United States. Such collaboration will not only strengthen the relationship between China and the United States, but also inject new energy into the advancement of education on both sides.

Huang Xiao, Dean of ZJNU&KU United Institute of Education:

In his reply, President Xi Jinping encouraged colleges and universities in China and the United States to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and contribute to the promotion of Sino-US friendship. As a member of the Sino-US Joint Education Institute's talent training team, I recognize the importance of the role of education exchange workers in Sino-US universities in the current era. I will fully comprehend and implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's reply. I will also comprehend the crucial task of China and the United States to cultivate outstanding normal students in the future. Furthermore, I will collaborate with the University of Kansas, a cooperative university. Together with the University of Kansas, we will integrate courses, conduct joint research, and develop new paradigms. We will pursue various forms of exchange and collaboration to cultivate individuals with a deep understanding of both China and the United States. The young envoys of the United States will work together to promote Sino-US educational and cultural exchange cooperation. The Sino-US Joint Institute of Education will serve as a platform and bridge for Sino-US friendly educational exchanges, youth exchanges, and cultural exchanges.

Mr. Xu Zhanbin, Secretary of the Party Committee of ZJNU&KU United Institute of Education, made the following remarks:

In June, Zhejiang Normal University hosted an exchange learning camp for American middle school students in China. While learning and practicing the spirit of President Xi Jinping's reply, we strive to create opportunities for young friends from the United States to become familiar with history and culture, experience the development of science and technology, and inspect practice bases, and cooperate with one-on-one volunteers for students of the School of Education. Strive to foster a positive and productive communication and dialogue.

Sheree Willis：Vice President of the United States of the United Institute of Education

     We believe that education is a critical component to the relationship between the US and China and also for contributing to the well being of people everywhere. We believe that this type of program in which Americans and Chinese are working together to develop a high quality educational platform will make an outstanding contribution to that effort. We hope that this type of program will continue to grow and expand so that we can teach more and more students to become outstanding educational leaders.

Zhu Jian, Vice President of the United Institute of Education:

In his reply, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of educational exchanges and cooperation in fostering mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, particularly the younger generation. He also highlighted this as a promising avenue for future collaboration between China and the United States. I would like to take this opportunity to actively assist Zhejiang Normal University and the University of Kansas in their future endeavors to collaborate on the training of exceptional educators. This will contribute to the advancement of Sino-US educational exchanges.

Jaclyn Lauren dudek：American Professor of United Institute of Education

      I see one of my roles, in addition to being an educator, as being an ambassador who goes back and forth between the US and China to share what I've learned here and bring it back to my university and my colleagues back home.

Zhang Yuting, head teacher of the United Institute of Education:

As a young teacher at the Sino-US Joint Education Institute, I am acutely aware of the value of educational exchange and collaboration. In my role as a teacher, I will actively encourage students to expand their international horizons, enhance their cross-cultural communication skills, and contribute to the cultivation of more internationally competitive young talents.

Ding Chenchen, head teacher of the United Institute of Education:

After reading President Xi Jinping's reply to the president of Ken University in the United States, my classmates and I are optimistic about the future of the United College of Education. As educators with experience in Sino-American education, I will assist my colleagues in becoming educators who are knowledgeable about China and have a solid grasp of the United States in the practical activities of courses and development jointly offered by Chinese and American teachers.

He Lei, counselor of the United Institute of Education:

As a counselor at the United Institute of Education, I will assist in organizing cultural salons, academic seminars, student team projects, and other activities to create more opportunities for students to participate in on-site practice and experience learning. I will also help them understand the way of thinking and values in different cultural backgrounds.

Shen Shitian, a student of the United Institute of Education:

The college recently hosted an exchange and study camp for American middle school students in China. As a reception volunteer, I am eager to contribute to the success of this event. This is not only a rare opportunity for cultural exchange, but also an excellent platform for us to communicate face-to-face with young American students and enhance friendship. I believe that through mutual learning and sharing, we can gain a deeper understanding of each other's culture and education, as well as form a strong friendship. This will enable American middle school students to gain a better understanding of China and contribute to the future development of Sino-US relations. It is anticipated that the college will facilitate an increased number of American teenagers coming to China for exchange and study in the future, and will promote the young generation of China and the United States to strengthen exchanges.

Qin Yuhong, a student of the United Institute of Education:

This semester, we were honored to welcome teachers from the University of Kansas in the United States. They prioritize situation creation and teaching feedback in the classroom, utilize children's literature stories, facilitate group discussion, and enable students to learn teaching skills and expand their knowledge in a relaxed and pleasant manner. In the classroom, students are encouraged to actively exchange and express their views, and the teacher provides timely feedback. I believe this approach is conducive to integrating American education concepts with Chinese cultural heritage. The dialogue with American teachers provides a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the American classroom culture.

Sum up

The United Institute of Education has announced plans to facilitate three educational exchanges and learning camps for American teenagers in China. The inaugural phase of the study camp commenced today with the theme of Approaching the Dynamic Zhejiang and Finding the Friendship between China and the United States. The programme will involve research, site visits and experiential learning activities over the course of approximately half a month. The program offers American teenagers the opportunity to observe, listen to, and experience China firsthand. Through this immersive experience, they will gain a deeper understanding of China's humanities, history, educational culture, and scientific and technological development. This will help them gain a more nuanced and comprehensive perspective on China.

Joint Education Institute of Zhejiang Normal University and University of Kansas will continue to deepen the educational exchanges and dialogue between China and the United States, and make new contributions to the cultivation of outstanding educational talents who understand international rules!

The following is the interview with Huang Xiao, dean of the United School of Education of the University of Kansas, Zhejiang Normal University:

Voice of Zhejiang: Further enhance collaboration and communication, and foster more connections. The General Secretary replied to the President of Kenn University in the United States, and the spirit of the reply was well received in the land of the Yangtze River.

The spirit of the General Secretary's reply triggered a warm response in the land of the Yangtze River.