From September 22nd to 23rd, Péter Medgyessy, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Honorary President of the China-CEEC Technology Exchange Association, visited Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs. He was accompanied by the following personnel: László Kozma Levente, former Assistant to the Prime Minister; Jiao Chao, President of the China-CEEC Technology Exchange Association and General Manager of Hungary Europe-Asia Technology Industrial Park; Zhou Lu, General Manager of Hungary Schützmann Technology Co., Ltd. and Deputy Secretary-General of the China-CEEC Technology Exchange Association; and Sámuel Gilling, Chairman of Hungary Home (Shandong) Technology Service Co., Ltd., CEO of Global Capital Corporation, Distinguished Overseas Expert Appointed by the China Association for Science and Technology, and Chairman of the Hungarian Association for Investment in Science and Technology Enterprises. Xu Dongsheng, Secretary of the University Party Committee; Sun Chengwu, President of the University; Liu Xianyi, Executive President; Wang Jian, Vice President; and Sun Xixuan, Assistant to the President, along with other university leaders, received Péter Medgyessy and his delegation.
On behalf of the more than 30,000 teachers and students of Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs, Xu Dongsheng extended the warmest welcome and most sincere gratitude to Péter Medgyessy and his delegation for their visit. He pointed out that Mr. Péter Medgyessy is an important witness and active promoter in the development of China-Hungary relations. He has made outstanding contributions to firmly advancing the policy of friendship with China, promoting the upgrading of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and actively participating in and highly appraising the construction of the “Belt and Road Initiative”. Xu Dongsheng emphasized that Mr. Medgyessy’s visionary insights have laid a solid foundation for the in-depth development of relations between the two countries. This visit will surely strengthen the ties between the university and the education and academic circles of Hungary, deepen the understanding of the current development status and future of Hungary and even the Central and Eastern European region, and at the same time inject new vitality into promoting the construction of the university’s relevant disciplines and talent cultivation.
Péter Medgyessy expressed his gratitude to the university for its warm and thoughtful reception. He made an in-depth analysis of the current global situation and emphasized the importance of cooperation and fair competition. He pointed out that the world needs predictable major-country forces that uphold peace, and spoke highly of the positive role China plays in this regard. By reviewing the historical changes in the global competitive landscape, Péter Medgyessy noted that healthy economic and technological competition, which is superior to protectionism, serves as an important driving force for promoting human progress and creating a better life. He encouraged young students to actively engage in cross-cultural exchanges, constantly broaden their international horizons, and become bridges for promoting cooperation between China and Hungary, as well as between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
At the symposium, Sun Chengwu delivered a speech on behalf of the university. He highly praised Mr. Medgyessy as a “steadfast promoter of China-Hungary friendship” and pointed out that Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs has always adhered to the distinctive feature of internationalized education, committed to contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the development of global vocational education. The university also launched the “Vocational Education Going Global 2.0” standard export project and the construction project of digital international high-quality courses with Hungary in early 2025. He expressed the expectation that taking this visit as an opportunity, the university will carry out all-round and in-depth cooperation with Hungary in the field of vocational education, jointly cultivate high-quality applied talents with an international perspective, and contribute educational strength to a better future for the people of the two countries.
In his speech, Jiao Chao highly praised the achievements the university has made over the past more than 20 years since its founding and expressed his admiration for President Sun Chengwu. He shared his feelings of accompanying Mr. Medgyessy during the visit, pointing out that the strength of a strong person lies in the elegance and wisdom embodied in the details. He also encouraged young students to bravely connect with outstanding people, broaden their horizons, and sent a sincere invitation to the teachers and students of Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs to visit and study in Hungary, so as to jointly explore broader cooperation opportunities.
During the interactive session, Péter Medgyessy patiently answered questions regarding youth vocational development in Hungary, cultural similarities and differences between China and Hungary, and studying in Hungary. He also welcomed students of Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs to study and exchange in Hungary, encouraging them to experience firsthand Hungary’s profound cultural heritage and vibrant development momentum.
Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs appointed Péter Medgyessy as a visiting professor, and President Sun Chengwu presented him with the letter of appointment. Péter Medgyessy wrote an inscription and message for the university: “I wish for university long life, success and for the professors and students happiness and excellent results.” László Kozma Levente also wrote an inscription and message for the university: “I wish a successful future for all the students, professors of the university!)”
Péter Medgyessy and his delegation visited the university’s teaching facilities and campus environment, and personally experienced the educational and teaching equipment equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual simulation. They highly praised the university’s outstanding achievements in fields including scientific and technological innovation, humanistic care, and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, and encouraged the students to cherish their time and forge ahead with determination.
On behalf of the university, Sun Chengwu presented Mr. Péter Medgyessy with a calligraphy work titled The Ancient Silk Road, A New Bridge of Friendship—a creation by Sun Gang, who is a member of the 12th Shandong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Secretary-General of the Shandong Provincial Committee of Jiusan Society. In return, Péter Medgyessy gave the university his personally autographed biography A Citizen in Public Service: The Memoirs of Péter Medgyessy, Former Prime Minister of Hungary. Personnel from both sides took a group photo to commemorate the occasion.
As one of China’s first batch of undergraduate vocational universities, Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs has always taken “foreign affairs and foreign languages” as its distinctive feature and actively served the national strategy of opening up to the outside world. In recent years, the university has established extensive cooperation with universities and institutions in Central and Eastern European countries. This visit by former Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy will inject new impetus into China-Hungary educational exchanges.
Compiled by: Yang Yilin
Photography by: Yan Lichang, Yang Yilin, Lin Jianpu, Lin Dandan