Exchanges

Chinese Higher Education Expo Held in Belgrade

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Zhang Wanxue attended the opening ceremony last December of the 21st Century Chinese Higher Education Expo held at Megatrend University in Belgrade. He indicated in his speech that students represent the future， and expressed hope that both countries younger generations might work together to expand communication and transform their friendship into a stronger bond that will engender more cultural and academic exchanges.

The Expo was a vehicle for implementation of the National Outline for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development （2010-2020）， according to which China will advance international exchanges and multitiered， wide ranging cooperation and promote reform and development via opening-up.

Beijing Hosts First High-Level Think Tank Symposium of China-CEE Countries

Beijing was the venue last December 19 for the 1st Highlevel Think Tank Symposium of China and Central and Eastern European countries（CEE）. The event was jointly organized by the China-Central and Eastern Europe Cooperation Secretariat and the China Foundation for International Studies （CFIS）. Scholars from China and the 16 Central and Eastern European countries that attended the symposium discussed ways of developing bilateral cooperation in different fields.

Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said at the symposium that cooperation between CEE countries and China suits the interests of all parties. He called for more academic exchanges to give greater intellectual support to cooperation between the two sides. CEE countries see China as a potential partner， and huge potential exists for bilateral cooperation on different levels， Mesic said， adding that Croatia welcomes investment from Chinese companies.

Vuk Jeremi？， president of the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly and former Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs， said that enhancing economic ties with China is one of the most critical decisions CEE leaders can make at this juncture， and that CEE entrepreneurs are willing to build a global industrial chain with China.

China and Bahamas Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement

China signed on December 19， 2013 the Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visa Between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in Nassau， Bahamas.

According to the agreement， citizens of both countries holding valid passports are exempted from visa requirements for entry into， exit from or transit through the territory of the other contracting party， and can spend up to 30 days there without obtaining a visa. But a visa is required for stays of longer than 30 days or for people intending to study or work.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng said at the signing ceremony that this is the first visa-free agreement covering various passports between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. The signing of the agreement will save Chinese and Bahamian travelers the time and energy necessary for visa applications. He added that it would greatly promote and facilitate mutual personnel exchanges， advance friendship between the two peoples， and further strengthen and promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields.

Bahamian Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said that the signing of the agreement represents a milestone in the two countriesdiplomatic history， and that it is an embodiment of the sound diplomatic relations long maintained by the two countries.

Chinese and Bolivian Presidents Exchange Congrats on Satellite Launch

Sichuan Provinces Xichang Satellite Launch Center successfully launched last December Bolivias first telecommunications satellite， the Tupac Katari， jointly developed with Chinas researchers. On the same day， Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Bolivian President Evo Morales who had come to the site to witness the launch.

President Xi said that the successful development and launch of the satellite is emblematic of the latest achievements and level of cooperation in science and technology between China and Bolivia. The satellite will enable Bolivia to improve its broadcasting， distance education and medical services， and make important contributions to promoting cooperation between China and Latin American countries. China hopes that more space collaboration with Bolivia will promote mutual beneficial cooperation and friendly relations， so bringing benefits to the people of both countries， Xi said.

President Morales expressed gratitude to the Chinese government， scientists and people， and hope that the successful launch will deepen cooperation in all areas between China and Bolivia and bring bilateral ties to a higher level.