On January 13, 2026, a vibrant graduation ceremony for the short-term Chinese language program of the Center for Chinese Studies took place at the Media Center of the University of Sulaimani in Iraq. The online program, jointly delivered by Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (ZZULI) and the Center, concluded successfully, with approximately 70 students completing all academic requirements and receiving certificates of completion. Dr. Kosar Mohammed Ali, President of the University of Sulaimani, and Mr. Liu Jun, Consul General of China in Erbil, attended the ceremony and presented certificates to outstanding students, witnessing another milestone of educational exchanges between China and Iraq.

In his address, Consul General Liu Jun emphasized that language serves as a bridge for mutual understanding, and that Chinese language education not only deepens Iraqi students' knowledge of China, but also energizes cultural exchanges between China and Iraqi. President Kosar spoke highly of the international cooperation in Chinese language education between the two universities, underscoring that the program has provided invaluable learning opportunities for Iraqi youth and was of great significance to promoting China-Iraqi friendly relations. The Consulate General of China in Erbil issued a dedicated report highlighting this initiative.

Since the formal establishment of a sister-university relationship between the University of Sulaimani and ZZULI in October 2024, collaboration has expanded steadily and yielded fruitful results. The two sides have carried out a variety of educational cooperation activities, including student visits and faculty exchanges, which earned broad recognition from local faculty members and students. This short-term Chinese language program represents a direct extension of that partnership and marks the fourth such initiative delivered by ZZULI's School of Foreign Languages in Iraq. Up to now, more than 300 Iraqi students have participated, generating positive social responses in the local area.

In the future, the two sides will continue to broaden cooperative domains, deepen educational exchanges, and make greater contributions to the inheritance and development of China-Iraqi friendship.