Groups of political notables have visited Tongji University in 2009, including Ms. Henna Virkkunen, Minister of Science & Technology, Finland , Mr. Christian Ude, Mayor of Munich, Germany, Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers, Prime Minister of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Pinkwart, Minister of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Jean Ping, African Union Commission Chairman and Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Finance Minister of Zambia.