Dhia Khaled, Tunisian ambassador to China paid a visit to RADI on March 13, 2017, hoping to boost Earth observation technology cooperation with RADI under the framework of "Digital Belt and Road" Initiative (DBAR), a large-scale international science program initiated in May 2016 to provide scientific support for the sustainable development of the Belt and Road region by using Earth observation technologies.

Dhia Khaled and his delegation made a tour to RADI hosted international platforms including the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), watched RADI's ground operation & management system for remote sensing satellites, and had talks with RADI researchers.

Prof. GUO Huadong, Chair of DBAR Science Committee and Director of HIST, welcomed ambassador's visit and Tunisia's joining the DBAR. Prof. Guo also thanked Tunisia for its contribution to DBAR. Dhia Khaled introduced the foundations and achievements of bilateral S&T cooperation, and further hoped that Tunisian scientists would play a broader role in the DBAR initiative and strengthen space technology cooperation under the "Belt and Road" Program.

The two sides had a discussion on subjects as Earth observation data sharing, remote sensing technology application in arid regions, mutual visits, and cultural heritage protection. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in Earth observation technology. According to Ambassador's invitation, a seminar on DBAR is scheduled to be held in Tunisia in 2018.

Tunisia, located at the northern end of the African continent, has a long history of civilization and had been served as an important part along the ancient Maritime Silk Road routes largely due to its geographical position as communication hub of Mediterranean east-to-west shipping.

Prof. Guo presents a remote sensing image map of Tunisia and an atlas titled the World Heritage Remote Sensing Atlas: China to Ambassador Dhia Khaled as a gift.

Group photo.