Chinese Ambassador Says U.S. Destined to be Partner¿Speech to be Delivered at UM

COLLEGE PARK, MD China's Ambassador to the United States, Li Zhaoxing, comes to the University of Maryland Dec. 16 to deliver what is expected to be an important speech on the prospect of closer ties between the U.S. and China.

Li's public lecture, titled "China and the U.S. are Destined to be Partners," is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday (12/16/99) in the Atrium of the Stamp Student Union on the campus in College Park. The talk is expected to touch on all aspects of U.S. - China relations.

Li's visit was prompted by an invitation from Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr.,who has expressed interest in expanding educational linkages with the People's Republic of China (PRC). The university has cooperated with China on several major research, extension and training projects in areas as diverse as agriculture, meteorology, superconductivity, information science and archives management.

"We have a long and positive relationship with our Chinese colleagues, and we wish to see that relationship grow and prosper," says President Mote. "We look forward to more opportunities for new initiatives that contribute to our mutual advancement of educational and research projects."

Since 1979 more than 400 Chinese students and visiting scholars per year have studied and conducted research at Maryland, and the first U.S. Ph.D. degree earned by a student from China was awarded by Maryland in 1982. More than 500 students from the PRC are enrolled at the university this year.

Persons interested in attending the public lecture should reserve a seat by Dec. 14 by contacting Maryland's Office of International Affairs at 301/405-8535 or e-mail: lc144@umail.umd.edu".

NOTE: Media interested in covering the event should contact Cassandra Robinson at 301-405-4625.