Spanish Language Majors Attend Reception Marking 7th Anniversary of China-Dominican Republic Diplomatic Relations

On May 21, a reception celebrating the 7th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and the People's Republic of China was held at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in China. The event was attended by Zhang Run, Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; José Gómez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to China; representatives from various embassies, enterprises, and media; as well as other distinguished guests. On behalf of our university, Spanish language faculty representative Chu Lidong and undergraduate students majoring in Spanish were invited to the reception.

Ambassador Gómez stated that the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on May 1, 2018, was a historic event that demonstrated both countries' solemn commitment to deepening cooperation, mutual respect, and building a shared future. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have flourished, bringing numerous opportunities for cooperation and achieving shared prosperity for the peoples of both nations.

In his speech, Director-General Zhang Run expressed gratitude to all sectors of society who have supported the development of bilateral relations. He noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2018, he had the privilege of witnessing the rapid growth of bilateral ties as both Deputy Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs and the first Chinese Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Over the past seven years, bilateral trade between China and the Dominican Republic has increased by 127%, with the Dominican Republic's exports to China tripling.

Ambassador Gómez and the Dominican Republic's Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao extended a warm welcome to the faculty and student representatives from our university and acknowledged the important role our institution has played in cultivating Spanish language professionals and promoting cultural exchanges between China and the Dominican Republic.

In recent years, the Spanish language program at our university has actively promoted innovative practical teaching models. Through various activities and competitions, it has created platforms for students to apply and practice their Spanish language skills. By participating in embassy receptions, organizing and taking part in Spanish song competitions, and events such as "Puente de Español", teachers have leveraged real-life language communication scenarios to conduct on-site instruction, guiding students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to practical use. Through these series of activities, students have not only enhanced their language skills but have also deepened their understanding of China-Latin America bilateral relations and cultural exchanges, showcasing the excellence of our university's students.