Alumnus James Heller, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in ShanghaiVisited Hopkins-Nanjing Center

On March 30, James Heller, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC) graduate of the class of 1992, visited Gulou campus of Nanjing University and met with Vice President Wang Zhenlin of the university. The two parties had in-depth discussions on strengthening Nanjing University’s cooperation with the United States and enhancing people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. Vice President Wang Zhenlin reviewed a series of cooperation achievements between the United States and Nanjing University, represented by HNC, emphasizing that Nanjing University would uphold the tradition of international cooperation and further strengthen exchanges with American universities, so as to promote win-win cooperation in Sino-US relations. Consul General James Heller recognized the contributions of HNC in people-to-people exchanges and public diplomacy and remarked that the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai would continue to provide support and guarantee for exchanges between the two countries.

AlumnusJames Heller, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai visited Nanjing University.

After the meeting, Consul GeneralJames Hellerand his delegation visited HNC and interacted with some faculty members and students. The event at HNC was presided over by Chinese Co-Director Cong Cong and Deputy American Co-Director John Urban. Professor Huang Haifeng from Peking University,HNC graduate of the class of 1992, attended the event as well.

Co-Director Cong Cong welcomed alumnus James Heller’s return to the HNC community and praised Consul General James Heller and Professor Huang Haifeng’s 30-year friendship as a typical representation of the relationships cultivated by the model of “cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-language, and cross-border” and “co-learning, co-living, co-growing, and co-development” at HNC.

Recalling his experience of living and studying at HNC, Consul General James Heller confirmed HNC’s pioneering role in “people-to-people” exchanges. He commended HNC for its model of exchanges that enhance mutual trust, build consensus, promote cooperation, and deepen friendships. HNC plays an instrumental role in China’s exchanges with the United States and the rest of the world. Consul General James Heller believed that the experience of international and Chinese students sharing a dorm room would deepen mutual understanding and tolerance, promote mutual growth and development, and create a people-to-people exchange in practice. He stressed that the United States and China should maintain such exchanges, and advocate diversity, openness, and inclusiveness in the world.

Afterwards, Chinese and international students were enthusiastic about asking Consul General James Heller questions. Professor Hua Tao and ProfessorPaul Armstrong-Taylor also engaged in discussions with Consul General James Heller. Consul General James Heller highly acknowledged the development of China’s reform and opening-up over the past forty years and looked forward to further cooperation in areas such as Sino-US trade and green energy research. He encouraged students at HNC to maintain optimism and confidence while actively participating in and promoting “people-to-people” exchanges. He also shared insights with Chinese and international students about the unique aspects of a diplomatic career path and the life of a diplomat’s family. Beforethe event concluded, Director Cong Cong and Deputy American Co-Director John Urban presented gifts to Consul General James Heller on behalf of HNC.

After the event concluded, Consul GeneralJames Hellerwent to see the courtyard and the dormitory at HNC and took photos with some faculty members and students. Intheevening, at HNC’s banquet room, some faculty members and students had a buffet-style dinner in the HNC tradition and had further conversations with Consul General James Heller. Also at the dinner were Co-Director Cong Cong, Deputy Director of Academic Affairs Sun Wen, DeputyAmerican Co-DirectorJohn Urban, and Professor Huang Haifeng.

In addition, Consul General James Heller visited the Pearl Buck Memorial House on Gulou campus.

Consul General James Heller and Professor Huang Haifeng recreated a photo in the dormitory where they stayed 31 years ago.

Consul General James Hellertook a group photo with some faculty members and students at HNC.