Prof. Zhang Jun, vice president of BAI, led a delegation to visit South Africa and Ethiopia from December 10 to 17, at the invitation of the National School of Government (South Africa), Oromia State University (Ethiopia), and Addis Ababa Leadership Academy(Ethiopia). Members of the delegation included Lyu Tingjun, Director of the Training Division, Dai Shan, Director of the IT Department, Ga Rida, professor of Sociology Department, Li Ying, associate professor of Public Administration Department, and Liu Min, associate professor of the Department of International Exchanges and Political Party Studies. The delegation conducted academic exchanges and forged partnerships with the three higher education institutions, making it a fruitful visit. 

This was BAI’s debut trip to Africa after the pandemic had been subsided. Leveraging the visit, BAI renewed old friendships and also reached out for new partners. South Africa serves as the rotational Chair of BRICS this year, making the country top the list of BAI’s visiting destinations in Africa. In South Africa, the delegation held meetings with Dr. Lakela Kaunda, DDG Administration of the National School of Government, Mr. Edward Mosuwe, Director General of Gauteng Province, and leaders from the Gauteng City Region Academy, Gauteng City Region Observatory, and University of Johannesburg. In the meetings, the delegation shared experience in civil servants training, internal capacity building, think tank development, and international research cooperation. Following the meeting, BAI and the National School of Government signed Memorandum of Understanding to solidify the partnership and foster bilateral development.

BRICS countries are navigating transformation in a rapidly changing global environment. The need for dialogue and mutual learning cannot be overstated. Hence, the delegation conducted academic exchanges during the visit. Prof. Zhang Jun delivered a keynote speech on “Carrying Forward Traditional Chinese Culture and Promoting Mutual Learning Among World Civilizations” at the Master Class Series of the National School of Government. Nearly 150 officials attended the forum onsite or online. Lyu Tingjun, Ga Rida, Li Ying, and Liu Min respectively presented at roundtable on the topics of “China's Practice of Building a Government Based on the Rule of Law in the new era”, “China’s Innovation in Urban Governance”, “Improving Government’s Governance Capabilities by Building a Digital Government”, and “Poverty Alleviation in China”. The South African side was impressed by the tremendous achievements China has made after reform and opening up, and expressed the hope of carrying out diversified exchanges and cooperation in the future.

The delegation arrived in Ethiopia on December 14. Both Oromia State University and Addis Ababa Leadership Academy attached great importance to the visit and hosted the delegation with meticulous preparation and gracious hospitality. Two sides had a cordial talk by reviewing the achievement of partnership in the past few years and had an in-depth exchange of views on future cooperation. Lyu Tingjun and Dai Shan respectively briefed on “the Innovation of Training at BAI” and “Facilitating Training by the Use of Information Technologies”. Subsequently, two sides signed Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the partnerships in the new era.

The eight-day visit has achieved productive results by expanding cooperation with higher education institutions overseas, sharing experience in civil servant training and also conducting academic exchanges on the issues of common concern.

Written by Liu Xiaoyun

Photographed by Dai Shan