On October 29, President Zhang Rong held a meeting with Michael Tan, President of University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), and Dr. Lourdes Nepomuceno, director of the Confucius Institute. Both sides exchanged views on deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two universities. 

In his welcoming remarks for Michael Tan and his delegation, Zhang stated the importance of the Confucius Institute of both universities as the channel to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between China and Southeast Asia. He wished the two universities are continuing to explore multi-dimensional, multi-level and multi-link cooperation in scientific research, personnel exchange, culture and sport and so forth. The two entities should promote the quality and efficiency of the Confucius Institute, which in turn would contribute to the development of universities and the cooperation of higher education between China and the Philippines.

Michael Tan reviewed the development process of the Confucius institute, personnel exchange and scientific research cooperation between the two universities, and invited Zhang to lead a delegation to University of the Philippines (UP). He urged the two universities to cooperate in the fields of music, art, sports, ocean and others. Meanwhile, he also wished them to actively explore substantive cooperation in academic research, personnel exchange and talent training.

During the visit, Michael Tan and his delegation participated in the council of the Confucius Institute. Vice-President Yang bin attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The two sides reached consensus on continuing to expand the functions of the Confucius Institute, give full play to the role of the Confucius Institute as a bridge and link, and further promote the exchange and cooperation of teachers and students between the two universities.