Armenian-Chinese relations in focus: Scientific-practical seminar discussion at Yerevan State University

During the event, post-graduate students, graduate students and undergraduate students of YSU Faculty of International Relations presented reports, addressing Armenian-Chinese relations, foreign policy, culture, economy of China, teaching Armenian in China and other topics.

In addition to presenting 8 reports, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions were also held, in which about 50 pre-registered participants actively participated not only from Yerevan State University, but also from the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Brusov State University and Armenian-Russian University.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, welcoming the participants of the scientific-practical seminar discussion, noted. "One of the priorities of Yerevan State University is the expansion and strengthening of educational, scientific and cultural cooperation with China, and that’s what this event is also aimed at. All over the world, and especially in Armenia, interest in China is growing day by day, and today I am very happy to point to our students’ desire for meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia, which is extremely important for their professional growth and strengthening of knowledge."

Referring to the successful path of China's history and the centuries-old relations between Armenian-Chinese civilizations, Tigran Yepremyan, Dean of YSU Faculty of International Relations, emphasized. "The faculty attaches great importance to the development of Chinese studies, fulfilling the main tasks and functions of the Center for Chinese Culture and Language of YSU. We hope that the promotion of Chinese studies will contribute to closer cooperative relations between the two nations." 

Fan Yong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia, emphasized that Yerevan State University is his favorite university in Armenia and he is warmly welcomed here. In his speech, the Ambassador touched on Armenian-Chinese relations, "One Belt, One Road" initiative and Armenia's involvement in it, the recorded results and development opportunities.

"Language is a bridge for communication between different nations. We are happy to notice that the desire to learn Chinese is growing in Armenia, and the ministries and professors of both countries are doing their best to strengthen educational and cultural ties," said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia.

Referring to the organization of the scientific-practical seminar discussion, Syuzanna Navasardyan, Director of the Center for Chinese Culture and Language of YSU, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor, said. "Taking into account the growing interest of students in China, Chinese culture, religion, "One Belt, One Road" initiative, we decided to organize this kind of scientific-practical seminar discussion for the first time, as in the previous 8 years we organized events related to Chinese culture and language."

Hovhannes Ghazaryan, a 2nd-year student studying in the same master’s program of the YSU Faculty of International Relations, presented a report titled "The Problem of South Caucasus Transport Communications in the Context of Iran and China's Foreign Policy".

"Taking into account the fact that today’s issue is directly related to the national security of the Republic of Armenia and is a threat to both our region and countries outside the region, I conducted my research on this topic, presenting my views and analyses," Hovhannes pointed out.

Gagik Ekmalyan, a 2nd-year student studying in "World Politics" master's program of the same faculty, considers his study "Eurasia in Transition. From the Chinese Belt to Turkish Tennis " to be a novelty and hopes to present it on other platforms and make it a serious scientific article.

"In my study, I tried to highlight China's interests in our region, Turkey's policy within the framework of contrasts and combinations between China and the West, presenting the Chinese "One Belt, One Road" and the Turkish "Middle Corridor" initiatives" said Gagik.

It should be noted that university students interested in Chinese language, Chinese culture, China's foreign policy, as well as Armenian-Chinese relations, representatives of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Armenia and other guests also participated in the event.