The event was held at the Ali Hood Baabad Hall under the patronage of H.E. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, Member of the Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Hadhramout. It was attended by Prof. Mohamed Khanbash, President of Hadhramout University, the university’s vice presidents, college deans, deputy governors, and directors of executive offices. The celebration also featured virtual participation by Prof. Amin Noman Al-Qudsi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Mohammed Al-Maitami, Ambassador of Yemen to China, and Mr. Shao Zheng, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen.

In his address, H.E. Salem Al-Khanbashi described the occasion as a celebration of a long history of friendship and cooperation between Yemen and China. He noted that China has long been, and continues to be, a trusted partner of Yemen, standing alongside the Yemeni people at various stages of their development. He also praised Hadhramout University for its efforts in documenting and strengthening bilateral relations.

For his part, Professor Amin Al-Qudsi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, expressed his pleasure in participating in the event and thanked Hadhramout University for its excellent organization. He highlighted Yemen’s strategic location and its importance within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that nearly 30,000 Yemenis, including students, businesspeople, and workers, currently reside in China. Among them are approximately 6,000 students pursuing their higher education. He also pointed out that Chinese language programs are offered at most Yemeni universities and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding academic exchange agreements and strengthening educational cooperation between the two countries. He stressed that Yemeni-Chinese relations are founded on shared interests and mutual benefit.

In his keynote address reviewing the depth of Yemeni-Chinese relations, Prof. Mohamed Khanbash, President of Hadhramout University, emphasized the university’s aspiration to serve as an academic bridge between the two nations through the publication of a documentary book, the organization of a photo exhibition, and the hosting of a scholarly symposium. He noted that the university has signed cooperation and academic exchange agreements with several Chinese universities covering blended and digital learning, joint research projects, collaborative academic programs, and the teaching of both Arabic and Chinese languages.

Professor Khanbash further explained that the university’s colleges have adopted an academic vision aligned with labor market needs and expressed his hope for further development of relations between Yemen and China in general, and between Hadhramout University and Chinese institutions in particular. He concluded by thanking all parties that have supported the university, especially H.E. Salem Al-Khanbashi and Professor Amin Al-Qudsi.

Meanwhile, Prof. Mohammed Al-Maitami, Ambassador of Yemen to China, stated that China is Yemen’s leading trading partner and emphasized that relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

Mr. Shao Zheng, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, noted that Yemen was among the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian, developmental, and educational support to Yemen.

In addition, Ambassador Saleh Al-Bahsani, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Hadhramout, highlighted Hadhramout’s historical role as one of the gateways of Yemeni-Chinese interaction through the Port of Mukalla and the Maritime Silk Road. He also praised China’s balanced position regarding the Yemeni crisis and its support for peace efforts.

The celebration featured the screening of the documentary film “Bridges of Friendship”, followed by the inauguration of a documentary photo exhibition, which received widespread appreciation from attendees. Supervised and produced by Dr. Khaled Buraik, the exhibition traced the development of Yemeni-Chinese relations over the past seven decades. Participants also received a commemorative book documenting seventy years of bilateral relations, supervised by Prof. Abdullah Baabaier, Dr. Samir Al-Bouri, and Dr. Adeeb Al-Shatari, in addition to a special press bulletin and informational brochures that comprehensively documented the event and its activities.