The delegation of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association in the Greater Bay Area visited City University of Macau today, where they were warmly greeted by José Alves, Dean of the Faculty of Business; Adrian Cheung, Dean of the Faculty of Finance, and Associate Dean Eva Khong. The two parties engaged in profound discussions on further strengthening cultural, sports, business, and innovation exchanges along the "Belt and Road" route, focusing on topics such as multilateral cultural tourism cooperation, school-enterprise and inter-university exchanges, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship.

Distinguished guests at the meeting included Qu Xiangdong, Chairman of Beijing Xingzhi Exploring Culture Development Group Corp., Ltd; Huang Weimin, Executive Vice President of Beijing Xingzhi Exploring Culture Development Group Corp., Ltd; Zhao Shan, Secretary-General of the Ultra Gobi Friends Activity Center in the Greater Bay Area; Xu Weifeng, President of the Outdoor Sports Club at City University of Hong Kong; Liu Liling, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association; Zhang Haibin, Presidents of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association at Hunan University, and Tang Qunxia from the same association; Ji Cheng, Senior Partner at Beijing DHH Law Firm; Xie Fumian, Secretary-General of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association at China Global Philanthropy Institute; Li Xiaoyan, Secretary-General of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association at Fudan University; Guo Wentao from Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Initiator of“The Journey of Xuanzang”  film project; and Chen Jianing, Executive Producer of “The Journey of Xuanzang”film project.

During the meeting, Deans José Alves and Dean Adrian Cheung introduced the overview, educational characteristics, and achievements of City University of Macau, as well ad Faculty of Business and Faculty of Finance. They also highlighted the "929 Challenge", an international entrepreneurship competition targeting university students and startups in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, co-organized by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), City University of Macau, and several well-known universities in Macao and mainland China.

The delegation outlined the founding purpose of the Ultra Gobi Friends Association, the historical background and features of the “The Journey of Xuanzang” Gobi Business Challenge Race, and its significance in promoting folk sports and cultural exchanges. Launched in 2005, “The Journey of Xuanzang” brand series is a major national cultural exploration event aimed at experiencing the spirit of "ideals, action, perseverance, and transcendence" through hiking along the ancient routes taken by Xuanzang over 1300 years ago, thus understanding the historical significance of economic and cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. Over eighteen years, the Gobi Challenge has attracted 83 top global business faculties and brand enterprises from Asia, Europe, and America, with a total of 170 teams and over 60,000 entrepreneur participants, earning it the media title of "Business Olympics."

In the future, both parties look forward to jointly establishing a service and exchange platform that spans the Greater Bay Area, aiming to align with the national development strategy, actively promote 'Belt and Road' cultural and sports exchange projects, inherit the culture of the Silk Road, and enhance international academic and business cooperation and exchanges. Faculty of Finance encourages students and professors from business and finance faculties and students of different universities to actively participate, compete and exchange ideas with outstanding talents from different regions, learn from each other's innovative entrepreneurship spirit, strengthen team cooperation abilities, and contribute to future interconnectivity, cooperation, and development between countries and regions.