University of Minnesota China Center celebrated its 30th anniversary on Nov. 18th, 2009 U.S. local time. RUC President Prof. Ji Baocheng sent his congratulatory letter and the 11 members of the Senior Administrative Personnel Delegation to U.S. attended the celebration. Over 300 people from U.S. educational and other institutions attended the celebration.

Prof. Ji Baocheng delivered the congratulations on behalf of RUC and himself in his letter to Prof. Robert Bruininks, President of University of Minnesota (U of M), and expressed his best wishes to the faculty, students and alumni of U of M.

Prof. Ji highly praised the great contribution U of M has made for the long-term development of U S economy and society as well as the career of human progress. He considered China Center of U of M as an important platform for cross-cultural communication and its function and contribution for strengthening the Sino-American cultural, educational and youth exchanges and for enhancing the mutual recognition and understanding between China and US. He also expressed his best wishes for the success of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of China Center.

Prof Ji hoped that RUC and U of M could continue their cooperation based on the current good exchanges to build a bridge of understanding, friendship and cooperation between the people of China and US. He believed the two sides would make more contribution to promote the stable and healthy development of Sino-US relationship.

RUC presented a calligraphy work Golden Bridge created by Prof. Zheng Xiaohua, Senior Deputy Dean of RUC School of Arts, to express the best wishes for the China Center. 

Mr. Huang Ping, China General Consul to Chicago, Mr. Mark Kennedy, former U.S. congressman, Mr. Robert Jones, Senior Vice-President of U of M, and Ms. Meredith McQuaid, Associate Vice President and Dean of International Programs of U of M, respectively addressed the celebration and congratulated China Center on its achievements for the past 30 years. Mr. Liu Xiangbing, Head of the delegation, RUC Assistant President and Director of RUC President Office, read Prof. Ji’s congratulatory letter. Mr. Zhang Yongwei, Director of U of M China Center chaired the celebration.

Founded in 1979, U of M China Center is the first research institute of China issues among US universities. U of M China Center has plenty of cooperation with RUC and always working on many significant programs for promoting the communication in culture and education between China and US.