On 16 March 2023, Dr Boubacar T. Diarra, Vice Chairman of the Alliance of China-Africa Friendship Associations, and Dr Khalifa A. Sy Diop, Secretary-General for External Affairs and Partnerships of the Alliance, visited the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and held talks with Professor Gong Baorong, Dean of the International College of the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Dr Diarra introduced the development of the Alliance of China-Africa Friendship Associations. The organization aims to further promote the friendship between the Chinese and African peoples and help build a development platform for China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. The Republic of Mali's friendly relations with China have a long history and have led to fruitful cooperation in recent years. The Republic of Mali attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with Chinese universities. And, this meeting was for the Alliance of China-Africa Friendship Associations, with the entrustment of the Malian national government and the Malian Academy of Music, Arts and Culture, to further discuss matters of cooperation with the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Professor Gong Baorong extended a warm welcome to the delegation for its visit. He pointed out that in recent years, the Shanghai Theatre Academy has carried out various forms of artistic and cultural exchanges with African universities and art institutions, and will further deepen the exchanges and cooperation with African art universities within the “Belt and Road” framework in the future. Dr Carl introduced the discipline characteristics, students' situation and international cooperation projects of the Malian Academy of Music, Art and Culture. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on cooperation, and will implement specific matters of cooperation after the meeting.