TheAfricanUnionConvention Centerproject, which was funded by Chinese government and designed by TongjiInstitute of Architectural Design Corporation,started construction on November 10thlast year. A visiting mission made up of the project team members and led by the University Executive Vice-President Li Yongsheng, Ding Jiemin, the University President Assistant and Dean of TongjiInstitute of Architectural Design and the Assistant Dean Ren Lizhi, directing designer of this project arrived atAddis Ababa, capital ofEthiopia. The UA Committee Chairman Jean Ping warmly received the visiting mission members at the UA Committee Headquarter.
UA Convention Center project was one of the eight aiding Africanpolicy measures announced on the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation by Hu Jintao in 2006. This project was an international one of greatest historical significance and political meaning thatTongjiInstitute of Architectural Design undertook in 50 years’ history. As a token of the China-Africa friendship, this project was also regarded as a window, through whichTongjiUniversitydisplayed Chinese architectural design to the whole world.
During the meeting, Jean Ping emphasized the significance of this project. He expressed satisfaction with the development of this project and hoped the convention center would be completed and put into use soon. Li Yongsheng also expressed great attention towards this project on behalf ofTongjiUniversity. The university andInstituteofArchitectural Designwould use all kinds of resources to support the constructing work so as to propel the smooth construction of the convention center and at the same time guarantee the quality of the project.
