Leaders Congratulate Universities on AnniversariesLi Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Vice- Premier Li Lanqing have congratulated two Beijing-based universities on their founding anniversaries.The top legislator wrote the inscription "Train Foreign Language Talents and Build Friendship Bridges" for the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) which celebrated its 60th founding anniversary Saturday, while the vice premier wrote congratulatory letters to the BFSU and the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE). The UIBE marked its 50th founding anniversary. In his letters, the vice premier urged the two universities to train more quality personnel in foreign languages and foreign trade. In related developments, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and Li Guixian, a vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended a ceremony held by the BFSU Saturday. Speaking on behalf of the central leadership, Qian praised the BFSU for its reforms and achievements over the past decades. Many foreign and Chinese leaders including United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan wrote congratulatory letters to the BFSU. In a letter to the UIBE, State Councilor Wu Yi said the university will be given more opportunities and room for development once China enters the World Trade Organization. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |