On June 23, 2020, Ambassador Cong Peiwu spoke on the phone with Gilles G. Patry, Executive Director of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. Ambassador Cong said that China has scored major achievements in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and has actively carried out international anti-pandemic cooperation. Extending gratitude to the U15 for taking measures to safeguard the Chinese students' health and life security in an active manner, Ambassador Cong hoped that the Chinese students could continue to get timely assistance from Canadian universities when they have difficulties, and the U15 could further step up its cooperation with China's top universities and scientific research institutions.
Executive Director Patry commended China's measures in promoting international public health cooperation, saying that the U15 welcomes the Chinese students to study in Canada, and will ensure their health and security and continue to strengthen cooperation in education and scientific research and people-to-people exchanges with China.
The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities consists of 15 Canadian research universities, including University of Toronto, McGill University and University of British Columbia. It has communication and exchanges with major national and regional research university organizations, such as China's C9 League and League of European Research Universities.