Sias International University was visited by the recently appointed US Consul General in Wuhan, Jamie Fouss. The Consul General was accompanied by the Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate in Wuhan, Michael Dubray. Mr. Fouss arrived in Wuhan to serve as the Consul General in August 2017.

Members of the delegation from the American Consulate in Wuhan that visited Sias included Protocol Assistant, Li Ying, Media Assistant, Peng Jing, and Cultural Assistant, Yuan Zhongyu. The delegation was accompanied by 3 members of the Foreign Affairs and Media Office at the Foreign and Overseas Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province; the Director, Ai Fan, and Assistants, Liu Peng, and Cheng Hangle. The Vice Director of the International Affairs Department at the Henan Education Bureau, Cai Hong, was also present. Sias was represented by the President, Dr. Chen Sikun, the Director of the Department of Global Engagement, Jinjin Chu, and the Director of the Office of International Relations, Julian Yue.

The delegation began their visit with a lengthy campus tour. It ended with a performance by the Sias Marching Band, after which the delegation met members of Sias' foreign faculty. This was followed by a short lecture by Consul General Fouss and a Q&A session with Sias students in the Lecture Hall of the Administration Building.

Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun, welcomed the guests and spoke about Sias' goals and purpose in developing sophisticated and specialized talents that contribute to the modernization and economic development of China. He said that China-US relations are the most important bilateral relationship in the world. He congratulated Consul General Fouss on his appointment and thanked the Consulate in Wuhan for their continued support and encouragement.

In his speech, Consul General Fouss said that he first came to China in 1984. He said that he was fascinated by China and its development progress and internationalization in the past 30 years. What he appreciated most, he said, was the kindness of people in China. He also spoke of his personal journey and the difficulties he faced in his life thus far. He said that he was proud to stand in front of the students of Sias after overcoming several professional hurdles on his journey toward working at the US Department of State. Consul General Fouss said that his experience as a Foreign Service Officer representing his country around the world has been incredible.

Public Affairs Officer, Michael Dubray, also spoke to the students and encouraged them to work hard and make the best of themselves. He spoke of his willingness to help with exchanges, cross-cultural communication, and mutual understanding.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session during which Michael Dubray spoke of the educational opportunities in the US for students from China. He said that we live in a global society where people compete with each other and work together. It was, he said, a global effort for progress. In conclusion, he said that an increase in exchanges will lead to friendship between China and the USA.