On the afternoon of January 25th, Hangzhou Normal University (HZNU） received the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne visited . He met with Guo Dongfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of HZNU and delivered a keynote speech.

Guo Dongfeng extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Brown and all members of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation on behalf of HZNU. He said that as one of the first council units of the "Belt and Road" Languages Education and Cultures Network, HZNU attaches great importance         to cultural and educational cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda, and has played an active role in promoting the deepening of scientific and educational cooperation and promoting mutual learning among civilizations in countries along the “Belt and Road”. The university will conscientiously implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Antigua and Barbuda, take the opportunity of building high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the countries, strengthen communication and exchanges with relevant departments of Antigua and Barbuda in talent training, scientific research and people-to-people exchanges.

In his speech, President Browne expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese Government for its valuable support, on behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda. China's help and cooperation have greatly promoted the development of Antigua and Barbuda. He spoke highly of China's tremendous achievements and significant contributions to addressing the global challenge of climate change. He said that China not only benefits its own people with its own development, but also helps developing countries accelerate their development, and promotes the world to achieve common development and prosperity with its own practical efforts through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Browne pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda abide by the one-China principle and firmly support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Antigua and Barbuda is ready to deepen practical cooperation with China, jointly address global challenges such as climate change, and work together to create a better future. He expressed the hope that Hangzhou Normal University and the universities in Antigua and Barbuda will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture and education, and consolidate the friendship between the two countries.

Antigua and Barbuda was one of the first countries in the Eastern Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Over the past 41 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Antigua and Barbuda have always respected and supported each other, and have become a model of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries large and small.