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On 25 August, a delegation led by Paulo Quaresma, former Vice-Rector of the University of Évora, Member of the Board of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Representative for China Cooperation of the University of Évora, and Honorary Dean of the Institute for Smart Health and Longevity Studies at the University of Saint Joseph in Macao, together with Zhang Shuguang, Vice-Rector of the University of Saint Joseph in Macao, visited our university. Wu Jiawei, Vice-President of our university, met with the delegation. The two sides held in-depth discussions on deepening inter-university cooperation, advancing the development of the national Belt and Road Joint Laboratory, and the joint training of international talents. Li Yanguang, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office and Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office, Wu Yao, Director of the Belt and Road Joint Laboratory, and Shen Jinghua, Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Chief Scientist of the Joint Laboratory, attended the meeting.

During the discussion, Wu Jiawei extended a warm welcome to the delegation from Portugal and Macao. He introduced Suzhou’s profound historical and cultural heritage, as well as the university’s geographical advantages and achievements in the development of distinctive disciplines. Professor Paulo Quaresma reviewed the existing cooperation foundation and the implementation progress of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides, expressing a strong willingness to further deepen inter-university research links and expand areas of cooperation. Drawing on Macao’s geographical and platform advantages, Vice-Rector Zhang Shuguang presented cutting-edge trends in international cultural and natural heritage research, and pledged full support for the delivery of collaborative projects among Suzhou, Macao and Portugal. Participants conducted detailed discussions on establishing a tripartite collaborative mechanism, research tackling in cultural heritage conservation, and the rollout of demonstration cooperation projects. Preliminary consensus was reached on exchanges of faculty and students and joint academic seminars.

In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation conducted an on-site inspection of the industry-university-research space of the Joint Laboratory and attended a special forum. Wu Yao gave a comprehensive overview of the laboratory’s construction and operation status, noting that the laboratory has entered a phase of regular and standardized operation, with a research system covering project research, academic studies and achievement transformation. He hoped that this exchange could offer guidance for the laboratory’s post-acceptance development path and further enhance the leading capacity of the platform. Professor Paulo Quaresma proposed that the three parties should focus on highly applicable and deliverable research topics, carry out interdisciplinary integrated research supported by digital technologies, innovate models for the conservation and utilisation of cultural heritage, and effectively promote in-depth, substantive collaborative research with tangible outcomes. Vice-Rector Zhang Shuguang suggested that the laboratory should fully leverage its platform strengths to advance heritage science; take the Hengqin Cooperation Zone as a key external gateway to further expand resources covering the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international partners, and strive to build a high-level national international cooperation platform with academic influence and voice. Shen Jinghua, Chief Scientist of the Joint Laboratory, Chen Xi, Assistant to the Director of the Joint Laboratory, Wu Jie, Party Branch Secretary of the Joint Laboratory, Shen Shaojie, Executive Dean of the Suzhou Urban Architecture and Art Research Institute, Xu Minmin, Director of the Cultural Heritage Material Analysis Laboratory, Huang Yong, Foreign Affairs Director of the Joint Laboratory, and young researcher Wang Shiruo attended the forum.

During the visit, the delegation accompanied by laboratory members carried out field research at Shuangta Shadow Garden of Suzhou Wudu Construction Investment Co., Ltd. Shi Jianhua, Chairman of the Wudu Think Tank, and Shi Liang, Chairman of Wudu Construction Investment, warmly received the research team. All parties engaged in in-depth discussions on the conservation and renewal of ancient buildings, paired research on Sino-Portuguese cultural heritage, and the global promotion of Jiangnan garden culture. It is reported that the Joint Laboratory has previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the enterprise to jointly build a “Practice Base for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Revitalisation”, continuously deepening industry-education integration and industry-university-research collaborative innovation to facilitate the transformation of research achievements into practical applications.

This visit and exchange have further consolidated the foundation for tripartite cooperation among Suzhou, Macao and Portugal, clarified priorities and development pathways for the next phase of the Joint Laboratory, marking that tripartite cooperation has entered a new stage of systematic, regular and coordinated development. Moving forward, all parties will continue to devote efforts to cultural heritage science, focus on research innovation and international talent training, further promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilisations under the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute the scientific research strength and platform value of higher education institutions.