SANTIAGO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and digital education are among the topics featured in a series of virtual conferences this week to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and Chile.
The conferences were jointly organized by China's Tsinghua University, Chile's Pontifical Catholic University (PUC), and the University of Chile.
"I am very honored that Tsinghua University and its partners in Chile are co-hosts of this 'Chile-China Week'," Tsinghua University Vice President Yang Bin said at a ceremony kicking off the series.
"Since 1970, Chile and China have enjoyed 50 years of diplomatic relations, which is nothing less than a brotherhood," said Yang.
Through Friday, Chile-China Week will offer five talks presented by experts in academia, diplomats, business leaders and students from both countries, who will address "successful ties" in a range of fields, from science and technology to healthcare.
Yang said he was "proud" to share the "collaborative achievements" and "fruits" of half a century of close ties, which also lay the foundations for "a new era of collaboration in the next 50 years."
Zhou Yi, charge d'affaires of the China's Embassy in Chile, said that collaboration between universities is "of great importance" to promote the development of the bilateral ties.
Also attending the opening was Rector of the PUC Ignacio Sanchez, who highlighted the opportunity to participate in the online seminars.
These opportunities for interaction "bring us closer" by allowing contact between academics in different fields, and generate "an exchange of great value and great friendship," said Sanchez.
That interaction produces synergies and ideas, he added.
The PUC has signed collaboration agreements with 14 research centers in China, including one inked in 2006 with Tsinghua University relating to the areas of law, business and communications, as part of its international development program, according to Sanchez.
"I think we have to congratulate ourselves on the decision to establish relations with China ... a country we are constantly looking to deepen ties with," said Ennio Vivaldi, rector of the University of Chile, which was founded in 1842 and one of Chile's leading institutions.
Rodrigo Toledo, first secretary at the Chilean Embassy in China, noted the two countries have "an excellent relationship that has matured and is quite deep, which is very positive."
The pandemic "has shown that we have to work and collaborate together" through "multilateralism, internationalization and globalization," he added. Enditem
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