On September 14^th, President Zhang Xi met with Prof. Vitaly Zaleshsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), and Prof. Sergey Gaponenko, Director, B.I.Stepanov Institute of Physics and Academician of the NASB. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on deepening scientific research cooperation, jointly establishing a joint laboratory, and jointly cultivating talents.

Zhang Xi extended a warm welcome to Vitaly Zaleshsky and Sergey Gaponenko. He noted that the delegation's visit, coinciding with the 80^th anniversary of JLU, fully demonstrates the high importance attached by the NASB to bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Zhang Xi reviewed the years of fruitful cooperation between the two sides, pointing out that JLU, leveraging its comprehensive disciplinary strengths, has established a stable and in-depth cooperative system with the NASB. The two sides are about to sign the Agreement on the Establishment of the China-Belarus Joint Laboratory of AI + Novel Concept Materials and Technology, marking a new stage in their cooperation. He expressed the hope that, as a brand-new platform, the laboratory will bring together the strengths of both sides’ advantageous disciplines, produce high-level frontier research outcomes, jointly cultivate outstanding research talents, and empower the common development of both sides through high-quality international exchanges. During the exchange, Zhang Xi also noted that in the AI era it is even more important to uphold the original aspiration of education and focus on cultivating students' critical thinking.

Vitaly Zaleshsky expressed gratitude to Zhang Xi for arranging the meeting amid a busy schedule. He introduced that the NASB has profound accumulation in education, basic research, and high-level talent cultivation, and has established a solid partnership with JLU, with broad areas for cooperation—especially enormous potential in the field of artificial intelligence. The continuous advancement of joint research programs by both sides fully reflects their high mutual trust, laying a solid foundation for cooperation. Zaleshsky on the spot delivered a letter from the Chairman of the Presidium of the NASB to President Zhang Xi. He stated that the letter carries the profound cooperative friendship between the two sides, and expressed confidence that through a series of academic seminars, experts from the two countries will continue to explore new areas of convergence.

Following the exchange, the two sides signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the China-Belarus Joint Laboratory of AI + Novel Concept Materials and Technology.

Relevant personnel from the Office of Global Engagement and the International Center of Future Science of JLU attended the event.