Representatives and students from world universities gathered in Xi'an and exchanged views on talent cultivation to support the Belt and Road Initiative on May 13.

A total of 157 representatives from 87 universities in 26 countries and regions, as well as guests from the British Times and Malaysia embassy in China attended the 2018 World-class Expo in Xi’an, which kicked off at Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi province.

At the opening ceremony, Wang Yongkang, Party secretary of Xi’an, said that the city is an important gateway and fulcrum along the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Several strategies including globalization, "university plus" and innovation-driven policies have been implemented to make the city an international metropolis to promote the Belt and Road initiative and Asia-Europe cooperation and exchange.

"My city and I warmly welcome university and college students who are members of the Silk Road University Alliance to study, live and start their undertaking in Xi’an,” he said.

Wang Shuguo, president of Xi’an Jiaotong University, said that Xi’an is an ancient capital with eye-catching rapid development.

He expressed his willingness to see the University Alliance of Silk Road become a platform for college students to exchange ideas and for universities to cooperate on talent cultivation and academic study.

As part of the Expo, the presidents’ Forum of the UASR was also held during the Expo. The presidents discussed talent training and the development of higher education around the world.