During the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, Professor Tongqian Tony Zou, Vice-Rector of “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, visited Northwest University on May 18 in Xi’an, China. Professor Chang Jiang, Vice President of Northwest University received Professor Zou. Heads of the Science and Technology Department, Planning and Discipline Department, International Department, School of Cultural Heritage, Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center, and representatives of teachers from the Department of Geology and the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences participating in the scientific expedition to Central Asia attended the meeting.

Vice-Rector Zou firstly introduced the development Status of the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. He expressed sincere thanks for the archaeological laboratory construction of “Silk Road” University sponsored by Northwest University. Vice-Rector Zou said that Xi’an, as the starting point of “Silk Road”, has rich Silk Road cultural heritage and tourism resources, and Northwest University enjoys high reputation in the disciplines such as cultural heritage management and tourism management, it has important reference significance for the discipline construction of the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. It is hoped that Northwest University can give more help and support in personnel training, teacher mutual visits, subject exchanges, laboratory construction, etc., and jointly contribute to the mutual learning of civilizations and people-to-people bonds along the Silk Road.

Professor Chang Jiang welcomed the visitation of the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. He pointed out that Xi’an is the starting point of the Silk Road, Samarkand is the pearl on the Silk Road, Northwest University and the “Silk Road” International Tourism and Cultural Heritage University has a good foundation for cooperation and broad prospects for cooperation. He expressed his gratitude for the support and assistance of the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in the fields of joint archaeological research. He proposed two universities to establish Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center, to construct the China-Central Asia “Belt and Road” joint laboratory for human beings and the environment, and jointly implement the Central Asian archaeological investigation and excavation. He said that the two sides can continue to make efforts in curriculum construction, visiting scholars exchange, teacher training, scientific research cooperation, laboratory co-construction, etc., continue to deepen cooperation, produce cooperative results with international influence. Professor Chang said the cooperation between our two universities had become a benchmark for cooperation and exchanges among universities along the Silk Road.

At the meeting, the participants conducted in-depth discussions on issues related to future cooperation and exchanges.