On the morning of March 16, 2023, a group of seven researchers, including Sun Degang, Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, and Yin Zhiguang, Zou Zhiqiang, Zhang Yifeng, Zhang Chuchu, Liao Jing and Du Donghui, visited the Middle East Studies Institute (MESI) of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)  to have a working exchange and academic discussion with our researchers. Professor Ding Jun, Director of the Institute, Associate Researcher Yu Yong, Deputy Director of the Institute, and researchers including Zhang Yuan, Zhao Jun, Han Jianwei, Bao Chengzhang and Wen Shaobiao attended the seminar.

Director Ding Jun reviewed the rapid development of mutual cooperation between the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of Fudan University and the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University since its establishment and stressed the importance of further strengthening exchanges, carrying out joint research on major projects and promoting in-depth cooperation and collaborative innovation between the two institutions under the new situation of promoting the construction of a new development pattern in the new era.

Director Sun Degang thanked the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University for its hospitality and introduced the team building, talent training and think tank construction of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of Fudan University, expressing the necessity and importance of strengthening cooperation between the two institutions, paying attention to the changes in the Middle East and conducting forward-looking research on hot issues.

Afterwards, researchers from both sides had a lively discussion and in-depth exchanges on current hot issues in the Middle East, such as the security situation in the Gulf, the Beijing trilateral agreement on the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and its impact, and the general election in Turkey, and formed a broad consensus on promoting the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Middle East studies in China and building a visual database.

Finally, Director Ding Jun thanked the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of Fudan University for its support to the construction and development of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, and looked forward to strengthening joint exploration and practice in related fields and deepening cooperation in the future.