Ambassador Branstad (left) and Huang Guitian, president of Shanxi University, exchange mementos, on April 19. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

US Ambassador to China Terry Edward Branstad visited Shanxi University on April 19.

Branstad toured the university's history museum, learning about the venerable institution's history, discipline development, professional cultivation, scientific research, social services, and international communications.

Ambassador Branstad said it was first time he had visited Shanxi and the university, allowing him the opportunity to get close to the place with its long history.

He hoped that more of its students would go to US for advanced study and that more varied communications and cooperation with Shanxi University would take place.

Shanxi University officials said that it had always attached great importance to international exchanges and cooperation, and has been expanding partnerships with American universities and research institutions in various fields.

So far, it has established relations with more than 10 universities and colleges in the United States, such as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Idaho State University, the University of Chicago, and Minnesota State University.