On 21 September 2026, China Global Television Network (CGTN) featured Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) President Prof Chen Zhi in a special edition of Eye on the Real China, where he shared insights into how collaborative higher education can foster cross-cultural exchange, particularly between China and the United States.
The programme brought together university leaders, faculty and students from institutions in China and the United States, including Prof Zhao Zhongxiu, President of the University of International Business and Economics; Dr John Quelch, Executive Vice Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University; and Dr Eric Yang, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Wenzhou-Kean University.
During the programme, Prof Chen introduced BNBU’s development and highlighted the University’s recent efforts to advance internationalisation. Among these is the Boston Center, established in January 2025 as a key initiative in BNBU’s international development strategy.
The Center houses the Institute of Life and Art, the Whitehead Research Center and the BNBU Alumni Association of America. It has also supported academic and cultural exchange between BNBU and US academic communities through lectures, academic forums, recruitment events and summer programmes.
BNBU has established a broad network of partnerships with US universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, Cornell University, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin, as well as collaborations with more than 10 liberal arts colleges.
Looking ahead, Prof Chen said BNBU will build on its Boston Center and partnerships in the United States to further promote China-US educational and academic exchange, and to expand opportunities for youth exchange, talent development and research collaboration.
The programme also featured a dialogue between Chinese and American faculty and students, who raised questions on topics ranging from study-abroad policies and scientific collaboration to career development. Prof Chen engaged with the students and encouraged young people to deepen mutual understanding. "That is why education is so important," Prof Chen concluded. "It can transcend cultural differences, boundaries and all those things."
CGTN is an international media organisation whose television channels reach more than 160 countries and regions worldwide. It has more than 600 million followers across its social media platforms.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu, Koga Song
Video edited by Season Li
