Chinese ambassador visits AU

The Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Wenzhong Zhou, praised Auburn University for its partnerships with Chinese institutions during a brief visit to campus Wednesday.
“I’m impressed by the beauty of the campus, but more importantly I’m impressed by your commitment to partnerships with Chinese institutes,” Zhou said.
AU President Dr. Jay Gogue said AU has about 40 agreements with Chinese universities. Gogue said the ambassador’s two-day visit included tours of the college of engineering and the AU fisheries in addition to a meeting with Gov. Bob Riley in Montgomery.
Before a packed room in the Student Center, Zhou briefly discussed China’s relationship with the U.S., its economic and foreign policy and predictions for the future. With each, Zhou returned to the idea of harmony — whether with regional neighbors, growth or the environment.
“Harmony is most valuable,” he said. “It is a state position.”
Zhou asserted the philosophy was largely responsible for the country’s growth in the last 30 years, a period also characterized by improving relations with the U.S.
Zhou highlighted inter-
governmental agreements and the academic exchange among the two countries, noting 90,000 Chinese students and instructors are in the U.S. and 19,000 Americans are at Chinese institutions.
But for the relationship to continue to grow, there must be
respect.
Zhou said the partners must avoid measures such as the duties on Chinese tires recently enacted by the Obama administration, which China claims are protectionist measures.
China and the U.S. should agree to any measures that might affect the trade relationship, he said.
Locally, China is the fourth largest export market for Alabama, Zhou said. Chemicals are chief among the state’s exports to China, he said. Zhou said he was impressed with biofuels and agricultural research in the state, noting among other projects the mapping of the catfish genome at Auburn.
“I see a lot of opportunity for more cooperation,” Zhou said. “Obviously, we need to explore ways to expand the relationship.”