On November 8, the first session of the “Hehe Academy (和合学堂)” was held in ZUFE’s Library Auditorium. Li Jinchang, secretary of ZUFE’s CPC Committee; Zhang Jianming, the first executive vice president of the Zhejiang Overseas Chinese Culture Promotion Association and Level Ⅰ Bureau Rank Official of Zhejiang Socialist College (Zhejiang Chinese Culture College); Zhang Jianwei, secretary-general of the Zhejiang Overseas Chinese Culture Promotion Association; and Qu Xiaoyan, director of the Secretariat of the China Vocational Education Association, Zhejiang attended the event. Zheng Yali, vice president of ZUFE, presided over the seminar.

Li Jinchang and Zhang Jianming jointly unveiled the nameplate of “Hehe Academy”. Li Jinchang personally inscribed the name “Hehe Academy”, expressing the best wishes and high expectations for it.

The “Hehe Academy” is rooted in the essence of traditional Chinese culture, which values harmony a top priority, respects difference, promotes solidarity, and advocates coexistence. Xi Jinping once interpreted Hehe Culture in his work Zhejiang, China: A New Vision for Development. The first “He (和)” of Hehe indicates harmony, peace, and balance. The second “He (合)” indicates convergence, unity, and cooperation. The academy aims to invite renowned scholars from home and abroad, representatives of “going global” enterprises, and overseas Chinese to build a bridge for the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations between China and other countries. It seeks to inherit the beauty of traditional Chinese culture, explore a path of drawing on the past to enrich the present, openness and integration, inclusiveness and coexistence, and the beauty of diversity. It also aims to provide rich spiritual nourishment for cultivating the MAQ-type (M stands for Morality, A for Ability, and Q for Quality) “exemplary ZUFE students” with a sense of national identity and international vision.

Professor Zhang Qingmin, chair of the Department of Diplomatic Studies, School of International Studies, and Director of Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy of Peking University, delivered the first lecture titled “Harmony with Diversity; Diplomacy in Everyday Life”. Zhang Qingmin covered four aspects: the essence of diplomacy, the attributes of diplomacy, diplomatic culture and norms, and diplomacy in daily life. With easy-to-understand explanations, humorous language, and abundant detailed cases, he presented a “feast of ideas” for faculty and students present. Zhang put forward the viewpoint of “being a diplomat in daily life”, pointing out that diplomacy is not only a body of knowledge but also a method and perspective for observing and analyzing problems. More importantly, it is a peaceful way of handling interpersonal relationships and a civilized approach to managing differences and contradictions, seeking common interests and shared understandings. He believes that mastering the art of communication is crucial in both diplomacy and life. In social life, one should improve personal cultivation, learn to communicate effectively, respect differences with equanimity, and strive for win-win outcomes and harmony.

“How can the philosophy of Hehe play a role in the context of the law of the jungle in international relations?” “As the world’s second-largest economy, how should China actively participate in international cooperation?” “What diplomatic etiquette should university students pay attention to in international interactions?” “How to understand the view that weak countries have no diplomacy?” “How to practice the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the context of economic globalization?” After the presentation, the interactive session was lively and enthusiastic, with students actively asking questions. Professor Zhang Qingmin, drawing on his personal experiences and vivid examples, provided detailed answers to the students’ questions and offered new ideas and valuable suggestions on topics such as comparative studies of Chinese and foreign cultures, internships and employment in international organizations, and the expansion of academic international perspectives.

While presiding over the seminar, Zheng Yali pointed that Hehe Culture has permeated the entire course of the development of Chinese civilization. It is a unique spiritual element of traditional Chinese culture and a way of thinking that embodies the wisdom of the East. The “Hehe Academy” originates from Hehe Culture and advocates the philosophy of “making harmony a top priority, seeking harmony and coexistence, and appreciating the culture of others as do to one’s own.” It is an international education brand that the school has focused on developing, aiming to cultivate a deep sense of national identity, broaden international perspectives, and tell China’s stories well. It provides strong support for nurturing the MAQ-type “exemplary ZUFE students” with high moral character, strong capabilities, and high-quality qualifications.

During the seminar, a donation ceremony for the “Hengke Education Fund” was held simultaneously. Li Jinchang presented a donation certificate and commemorative plaque to Wu Weibing, the chairman of Hangzhou Hengke Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. and an alumnus of the school. Wu Bo, the director of the Alumni Office, accepted the donation check, and alumnus Wu Weibing accepted flowers presented by student representatives.

The “Hehe Academy” is jointly organized by ZUFE, the China Vocational Education Association, Zhejiang, and the Zhejiang Association for the Overseas Dissemination of Chinese Culture. It is contracted by ZUFE’s International Office, the Office of CPC Publicity, the School of Economics, and the School of International Education and Studies, and co-organized by ZUFE’s Kazakhstan “Silk Road Institute”, the Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE, and the “National Huang Danyan-Style Teacher Team in Universities” of International Economics and Trade, Zhejiang Financial College. Over 250 participants attended the lecture, including representatives from relevant departments, faculty and students from the School of Wenhua Innovation, School of Accounting, School of Economics, School of International Education and Studies, and the School of International Business from Zhejiang Financial College.