On the morning of October 17th, Professor Joao nuno Calvin, Vice President of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, visited Soochow University. Zhang Xiaohong, vice President of Soochow, met with the delegation and signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Soochow and Coimbra.HoDs from several departments of Soochow attended the ceremony..

Zhang xiaohong welcomed the delegation and introduced to the visitors about Soochow’s history and status quo. He also invited the delegation from the university of Coimbra to attend the 120th anniversary of the Soochow next year in order to  further develop cooperative relations. President Calvin stated that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal and the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China. The university of Coimbra and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences signed the cooperation agreement between the Chinese academy of social sciences-Coimbra overseas Chinese research center in the presence of Chinese leaders and Portuguese prime minister during President Xi Jinping's visit to Portugal last year. Hence, Coimbra university is a link between China and the Portuguese-speaking world.

President Calvin also briefly introduced the basic status of Coimbra University. He expressed that he took it as a pride to have established cooperation with the Law School of Soochow. He also promised that Coimbra university would give full assistance to promote the establishment of sister cities between Coimbra and Suzhou.

Shen Yue, Director of Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office, said that it is a great honor to attend the signing ceremony of the two schools and Suzhou foreign affairs office will take the cooperation and exchange between Soochow University and Coimbra University as the starting point to improve the friendly exchanges between the two cities.

Worldwide reputable Coimbra university is one of the top universities with its Portuguese Language Department. Founded in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in Portugal. In June 2019, the Sino-Lusophone Academy was formally established with the support of Coimbra University, which has been promoting multiple cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and boosting the Belt and Road Initiative.