On May 12, a meeting was held for the founding of the University Alliance of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle(led by Sichuan University and Chongqing University) in the International Academic Exchange Center of Sichuan University. Xingping Yang, vice governor of the Sichuan Province People's Government, Jiang Li, director of the Department of Education of Sichuan Province, Yanrong Li, president of Sichuan University and the leaders of 12 Chengdu universities and 8 Chongqing universities, including Zongyi Zhang, president of Chongqing University, attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Weilin Xu, executive vice president of Sichuan University.

During the meeting, Xingping Yang, on behalf of the Sichuan Province People’s Government, extended sincere welcome to the leaders of the eight Chongqing universities, and warmly congratulated 20 universities on the establishment of the University Alliance of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. Xingping Yang pointed out that colleges and universities are crucial to the development of local economy. He hoped that the universities from the two cities would strengthen cooperation in talent training, scientific research, local service, international exchange and cooperation, and work together to promote the strategic layout of the country and the high-quality development of the economy of Chengdu and Chongqing.

At the founding meeting, Yanrong Li, on behalf of Sichuan University and Chairman Jianguo Wang, welcomed the leaders of all member universities andexpressed his congratulations on the founding of the alliance. He pointed out that the construction of the two-city economic circle in Chengdu and Chongqing is a major strategic measure for the coordinated development of regions in the new era. Hence, Yanrong Li made two suggestions around "the future development of the alliance": on the one hand, the alliance can establish a system to have an annual consultation meeting among the member universities. On the other hand, we can strengthen exchanges and cooperation of the alliance, which should be open and mutual benefiting. We should also combine all quality resources and innovation power along the Yangtze River, the "Belt and Road" zones and the two-river basin areas in China and Russia.

He said that Sichuan University will continue to do a good job in all aspects of service for the operation of the alliance. He also expected member universities to take the establishment of today's alliance as a new starting point and provide more insight and support for the future construction and development of the alliance.

On behalf of Chongqing University, Zongyi Zhang expressed congratulations on the establishment of the alliance. He also expressed sincere thanks to Sichuan University for organizing this meeting on behalf of the eight member universities from Chongqing. He indicated the member universities will take the initiative to accelerate the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, making contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Yong Zeng expressed congratulations on the establishment of the alliance on behalf of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He said that UESTC would like to work with other universities to have close cooperation in system construction, talent training, team building., and contribute wisdom and strength to the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

Xufeng Li extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the alliance on behalf of Southwest University, and introduced the efforts that Southwest University had made in promoting the construction of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. He said that Southwest University is willing to work with other member universities to provide talent, intellectual resources and scientific and technological support for the realization of the strategic objectives of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

Weilin Xu briefly explained the “Charter ofthe University Alliance of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle”. The leaders of 20 member universities of the alliance reviewed and approved the Charter by acclamation.

Ruijin Liao, vice president of Chongqing University, read out the “Declaration on the Establishment of the University Alliance of Chengdu- Chongqing Economic Circle”.

The leaders of 20 universities in the alliance took the stage to jointly launch the University Alliance of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.