Zhu Shanzhong (second from left), an ambassador and former executive director of the UNWTO, visits the HAITC on Dec 16. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Zhu Shanzhong, an ambassador and former executive director of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), conducted an inspection tour of the HNU-ASU Joint International Tourism College at Hainan University (HAITC) on Dec 16.

Zhu Shanzhong (fourth from left), an ambassador and former executive director of the UNWTO, talks with representatives from HNU and the HAITC on Dec 16. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Zhu was received by Luo Qingming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of Hainan University (HNU), Ye Guangliang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC HNU committee and vice-president of the university, and the management team of the HAITC.

Luo expressed his heartfelt welcome to Zhu, who also served as deputy head of the dissolved China National Tourism Administration and secretary-general of the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits.

Luo briefed Zhu about the development of HNU, especially the progress made in talent introduction, foreign exchanges, teaching and research, as well as the building of cultural and tourism disciplines and the construction of its Sino-foreign cooperative educational institutions.

Luo said that HNU will strengthen its ties with international organizations, such as the UNWTO, leverage the advantageous policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) and the International Education Innovation Island, and expand cooperation in talent training and scientific research.

Zhu Shanzhong, an ambassador and former executive director of the UNWTO, meets with representatives of Chinese and foreign teachers at the HAITC on Dec 16. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Zhu also met with representatives of Chinese and foreign teachers at the HAITC, talking about the disciplinary development, scientific research, talent training and international cooperation of the college.

Zhu said that he is impressed by HAITC’s teaching mode, adding that the dynamic efforts to build the Hainan FTP and the International Education Innovation Island have provided beneficial conditions for training international tourism talents.

Zhu said he will actively promote further cooperation between the UNWTO, HNU and the HAITC.