On May 15, the 7th session of ZUFE’s Hehe Academy opened at the University Academic Center. Professor Ren Xiao from the Institute of International Studies (Fudan University) and the Academy of Regional and Global Governance (Beijing Foreign Studies University) was invited to deliver a keynote speech themed “Current International Situation and China-U.S. Relations”. Vice President Zheng Yali attended the event together with heads of relevant functional departments and over 200 student representatives from School of Wenhua Innovation, the Schools of Economics, Management and Marxism who are enrolled in the “Situation and Policy” course.
Kicking off with the Government Work Report from this year’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Professor Ren noted that amid mounting external pressure and growing domestic challenges, only a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the external environment can enable China to scientifically grasp new stages, new circumstances, and new challenges facing its current development. He reviewed the cooperation and competition between the two countries in politics, economy and trade, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges since 2016, analyzed the current state of bilateral relations and importance of the international situation, and shared his outlook on future China-U.S. interactions and worldwide geopolitical trends.
Ren noted that China-U.S. relations stand at a critical crossroads with the inauguration of the second Trump 2.0 administration. The two nations ought to advance win-win cooperation via equal dialogue and consultation in the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, shoulder corresponding major-country responsibilities to sustain sound and steady bilateral ties, which meets the shared interests of both peoples and the common expectation of the international community. Committed to multilateralism, China adheres to its diplomatic vision: Major countries are the key, neighboring nations the priority, developing countries the foundation, and multilateralism an important platform, injecting stability and certainty into the maintenance of world peace and development.
During the Q&A session, teachers and students engaged in enthusiastic discussions centering on China-U.S. relations and the role of youth, covering hot topics including international public opinion competition, tariff impacts and cultural values. Ren advised that young people today should strive to build solid academic foundations, sharpen dialectical thinking and develop a global vision in an era where opportunities and challenges coexist. While absorbing valuable experiences from countries around the world and from the process of human modernization with an open and inclusive mindset, young Chinese should also share Chinese wisdom and solutions with the rest of the world.
Prior to the lecture, accompanied by Vice President Zheng Yali, Professor Ren paid a visit to ZUFE Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE and offered guidance on area and country studies, think tank development and the integration of industry and education.
As a flagship international education brand built by ZUFE, Hehe Academy regularly invites distinguished domestic and overseas experts, senior diplomats, representatives of Chinese enterprises “going global”, and overseas Chinese to support the cultivation of exemplary ZUFE students (MAQ) who possess patriotism and global vision, noble character, outstanding capability and comprehensive qualities.
(Editor: Che Peng)
