Flying visit by high-ranking Chinese delegation
A high-ranking delegation from China visited Leiden on 6 November. The party of some 25 officials from the CPPCC – a Chinese advisory body comparable with the Dutch Senate - visited the Leiden Observatory, the Hortus Botanicus and the Asian Library.
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), headed by Wenyi Lin, is an important advisory body within the Chinese government, in terms of influence similar to the Dutch Senate. The delegation of some 25 Chinese officials visited the University on Monday morning. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy were also present, including Ambassador Ken Wu.
Reputation
It was an honour for the University to receive this visit, the highest official diplomatic visit from China this year. The main aim of the delegation's very brief stay in the Netherlands was to visit the Dutch Senate, the equivalent of the CPPCC. In view of the brevity of the delegation's time in the country, it was particularly appreciated that they made time to visit Leiden University. ‘We wanted to come to Leiden because of the great reputation your university enjoys in the world and your rich history and achievements in sinological studies,’ Wenyi Lin, Vice-Chairman of CPPCC, explained.
China Studies
Leiden is the only university in the Netherlands to offer a programme in Chinese Studies and the Asian Library with its prominent collections including from China is also unique in the country. China is an important partner for the University, with many collaboration agreements between Leiden and Chinese universities facilitating exchanges of students, teaching and research.
Lunch meeting
While visiting the Asian Library, Wenyi Lin was presented with a copy of the book Discovery that features the highlights of the University collections. The visit was concluded with a lunch meeting in the Academy Building hosted by Rector Magnificus Carel Stolker. He was accompanied by fellow Board member Martijn Ridderbos (Vice-President) and several deans, including Pancras Hogendoorn (Medicine/LUMC), Joanne van der Leun (Law) and Geert de Snoo (Science). Former Rector Douwe Breimer was also present, as were a number of Leiden's professors of Chinese Studies.