The University’s tie with China was strengthened Thursday afternoon when Executive Vice President Min Weifang from Peking University spoke in Harrelson Hall.

N.C. State and Peking University have formed an academic partnership which includes study abroad programs at Peking University.

Also, a master’s degree program called “4+1” has been created for Chinese students. The program entails four years of study at Peking University in order to earn a bachelor’s degree, with an additional year of study at NCSU to earn a master’s degree.

Helen Wang, a visiting student from the University of Beijing in China, said she would have benefited from the “4+1” master’s program were she not already enrolled in a doctoral program at NCSU.

“It’s a good chance [to study in America],” she said. “In China it’s not easy to come to the U.S. to study.”

Weifang, who is also chairman of University Council at Peking University, said he hoped to promote friendship between Chinese and American people, along with the partnership between NCSU and Peking University.

“I think there’s a great potential for collaboration … that will be mutually beneficial,” he said. “We can have students exchange. We welcome North Carolina students to Peking.”

Larry Nielsen, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, returned from China Wednesday night. He visited Peking University “about a week ago” and said it is China’s “No. 1 university.”

Nielsen said sending students to study in China would assist in providing a broader perspective of the country.

“Our students need to understand the whole world, specifically they need to understand China,” he said. “The U.S. needs to work with China very closely so we are cooperative on economic and social issues.”

Weifang’s presentation, entitled “The Economic Transition and Higher Education Reform in China,” profiled China’s changing economy and efforts to reform higher education throughout the country.

He used a PowerPoint presentation to show several ways in which China is making an economic transition toward becoming a market economy.

In addition to changes in China’s economy, Weifang talked about various efforts to reform higher education.

Weifang said there was a significant effort to gain more financial support from the Chinese government for education.

He discussed the effects higher education has on the job market, including differences in income based on degree status.

“The demand for higher education is rising very quickly,” he said. “People are seeing the benefits.”

Bailian Li, interim vice provost for international affairs, organized Weifang’s visit.

Li said it will be beneficial for students to witness and experience firsthand China’s rapidly changing economy.

“[We want to] challenge our students in the future to be there and see the economic change,” he said.

However, Li said students can learn about China right where they are.

Li encourages interaction between students and Chinese students, particularly undergraduates, and he stressed the importance of relationships among students in Alexander Hall, the University’s international residence hall.