International university

A branch campus of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) has been established in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, a symbol of the growth of China-Kazakhstan friendship and people-to-people exchanges. Duan Peng, principal of BLCU stated that the branch campus will play an important role in promoting mutual understanding and exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. The BLCU Kazakhstan branch is located on the campus of Astana International University within the Astana Expo Park, including a reading room with Chinese language books as well as an exhibition room for Kazakh culture. Aside from decorations of lanterns and eagles from both countries, the most eye-catching item on the campus is the student ID copy of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev when he was a student at the BLCU in Beijing. It witnessed President Tokayev's student life in China and the valuable China-Kazakhstan friendship. BLCU and Astana International University signed an agreement in March 2024 to co-build the BLCU Kazakhstan branch campus, Duan told the Global Times in Astana. Prior to the agreement, the two universities began detailed negotiations regarding cooperation following a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2023, Irsaliev Serik Aztaevich, president of Astana International University, told the Global Times, noting that…