At the invitation of Massey University and other international partners, a delegation led by Wang Hongyuan, Chairman of the University Council of BFU, recently visited Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the operations of the Flyway University Alliance for the Green Belt and Road Initiative.

Singapore: Expanding Collaboration with BirdLife International

On February 27, the delegation met with Vinayagan Dharmarajah, Regional Head for Asia at the Asia Regional Office of BirdLife International in Singapore. Wang Hongyuan emphasized BFU's commitment to deepening partnerships with global organizations. Both parties agreed to formalize a long-term cooperation agreement to mobilize universities, research institutions, and NGOs in advancing regional bird protection and ecological restoration. BirdLife is the world's largest nature conservation network in natural conservation, spanning 123 national partners across all continents. 

Malaysia: Attracting New Alliance Member

On March 1–2, at Putra International University College (PIUC) in Malaysia, President Ding Cairong expressed their intent to join the Alliance and signed a Letter of Intent to Join the Alliance, becoming its first Southeast Asian member institution. Wang welcomed PIUC's participation, hoping it to leverage its regional influence to unite Malaysian academic and research institutions in implementing unified conservation actions. Professor Lei Guangchun, Chair of the Alliance and Professor at BFU's School of Ecology and Conservation, outlined the Alliance's mission, membership responsibilities, and strategic priorities. 

New Zealand: Multilateral Dialogues and Agreements

In Auckland, the delegation met with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat on March 3 to align the Alliance's development plans with EAAFP's scientific priorities. EAAFP CEO Jennifer George commended the success of the 2024 Global Ecological Governance (Nansen) Conference co-hosted by BFU, which established the Alliance. Wang thanked EAAFP for its support and said BFU will strengthen the Alliance's role as an international cooperation platform with EAAFP. They also discussed the next steps and key tasks for the year ahead. 

Next day at the 50th Anniversary Conference of New Zealand's Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, Wang engaged with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, and former New Zealand Ambassador to China Clare Fearnley. He presented BFU’s practical contributions to ecological civilization, including the Alliance's founding purpose and cooperative plans for migratory bird conservation and flyway management, which was well-received by others. 

At a seminar on bar-tailed godwit conservation in Whanganui on March 5, Professor Lei Guangchun delivered a keynote address titled Conservation and Restoration Strategies for the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf Migratory Bird Habitats (UNESCO World Heritage Site) under Global Climate Change. His presentation detailed BFU's scientific work in habitat protection and China's World Heritage nomination efforts, receiving praise from international experts. 

On March 6, BFU and Massey University signed a Cooperation Protocol in Wellington, outlining joint initiatives in faculty/student exchanges, technological innovation, and wildlife conservation research. Massey President Ray Geor introduced the university and highlighted shared goals between the two sides in addressing global ecological challenges, which was followed by a tour of the university's wildlife rescue hospital. 

The visit strengthened BFU's partnerships with Southeast Asian and Oceania governments, academic institutions, and NGOs. As the Alliance's Secretariat, BFU expanded its international network and reinforced the development of Flyway University Alliance for Green Belt and Road. 

Written by Zeng Qing, Luo Yang
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang