Dialogue between Past and Present, an Integration of China and Foreign Countries: “CAMPUS Asia” SIS, PKU Delegation Visits Shanghai for Research
From April 9 to 13, 2024, 19 faculty and students from the “CAMPUS Asia” Project of the School of International Studies (SIS) at Peking University visited Shanghai for on-site research and learning. The delegation included Dong Zhaohua, Vice Dean of the SIS; Zhang Xinyang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC SIS Committee; Lei Shaohua, Deputy Director of the Department of International Organizations and International Public Policy; Chen Fang, Deputy Director of the Office for International Programs; Jin Rui, Deputy Director of the Office of the SIS Alumni Association; Xu Jiaqi from the Chinese Secretariat of CAMPUS Asia; and students of the “CAMPUS Asia” Project from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Shanghai alumni from the SIS enthusiastically supported the proceedings.
Experience the Charm of Technology at the NIO Delivery Center
On the morning of April 10, the delegation visited the NIO Delivery Center in Nanxiang, Jiading District, Shanghai. They toured the Center’s lounge area, technology exhibition hall, delivery center, and battery-swapping station while experiencing NIO’s smart driving technology. Jiang Nan, Senior Human Resources Director of NIO, shared NIO’s brand philosophy, history, technological layout, and product ecology with the delegation and elaborated on NIO’s core pursuit as a “user-oriented” sci-tech enterprise. The faculty and students engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on NIO’s technology planning, R&D investment, globalization strategy, and industrial coordinated development, which helped the students gain an intuitive understanding of NIO’s scientific and technological prowess and stimulated their thinking on the future development of technology-life integration.
Pic.1. A visit to the NIO Delivery Center
Explore Future Finance at the New Development Bank
That afternoon, the delegation visited the headquarters of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Mr. Zhou Qiangwu, an alumnus of the SIS at Peking University and Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the NDB, warmly welcomed the delegation and participated in the seminar to conduct exchanges with the delegation,which was also joined by Zhang Ningqian, Executive Assistant to the CAO; Dr. Xu Bing, a Senior Economist and Team leader at the Research Department of NDB; and Dr. Zhang Chi, an alumnus of Peking University and an Economist at the Research Department of NDB. Mr. Zhou outlined the background, development, and plans of the NDB, emphasizing its pioneering role in local currency financing and its contribution to enabling voices from developing countries and emerging markets to be heard on the international stage. He also shared his school experience, expressed deep gratitude to his alma mater, and encouraged the students to keep developing themselves and showcase the charm of the SIS on the global stage in the future. Dong Zhaohua expressed gratitude for the warm reception of the NDB and highly praised its contribution to international finance. She stated that the NDB has connected conceptual ideas and practice and conveyed the voices of developing countries to the world and that the visit linked current international organization leaders and future new forces. The delegation listened to Dr. Zhang Chi’s report on the overview and achievements of the NDB, as well as its General Strategy for 2022-2026. They also exchanged ideas with Dr. Xu Bing about the membership criteria, risk management pathways, and monetary system of the NDB.
Pic. 2. A group photo taken at the NDB
Pic. 3. A seminar at the NDB
Share Project Experience and Build a Friendship Bridge
On the morning of April 11, the delegation arrived at Fudan University and participated in exchange activities with the faculty and students of the
School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University (hereinafter referred to as the “SIRPA”). The attendees included Su Changhe, Dean of the SIRPA; Ding Jie, Deputy Director of the International Students Office (ISO) at Fudan University; Zheng Yu, Director of the Department of International Politics at the SIRPA; Li Yin, Executive Director of the “CAMPUS Asia” Project; Zhu Yanjun from the ISO; Tang Linhuan, Deputy Secretary of Youth League Committee; Liu Qianjie, Gao Xin and Wu Yufei from the International Office; and student representatives from the “CAMPUS Asia” Project at Fudan University.
At the seminar, Su Changhe delivered a speech and welcomed the delegation, declaring that the “CAMPUS Asia” Project is a model for China, Japan, and the ROK to jointly cultivate their international talents and that the establishment of the system of Fudan-PKU “CAMPUS Asia” reciprocal visits will also deepen experience exchanges and cooperation on the Chinese side. He hoped that the two universities could carry out academic cooperation and exchanges in more diverse forms through projects in the future. Dong Zhaohua expressed gratitude for the SIRPA’s hospitality and looked forward to further collaboration between faculty and students at the two institutions. Later, Ding Jie and Zhang Xinyang respectively introduced the work related to international students of the Fudan University and the SIS of Peking University based on their areas of responsibility, jointly proposing the hope of maintaining friendly exchanges between young students of the two institutions.
Pic. 4. A seminar at Fudan University
The delegation and Fudan students shared their experiences at different campuses, the reciprocal visits between the two universities, and their feelings about the “CAMPUS Asia” Project. Afterward, they toured the Fudan campus together, strolling among the unique buildings decorated in the vibrant spring scenery and learning about Fudan University’s long history.
Pic. 5. A tour around the Fudan campus
Appreciate the Historical Charm of Shanghai and Learn about the City’s Development
On the afternoon of April 11, the delegation visited the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, including the halls themed “A Humanistic City,” “A Scientific and Technological City,” and “An Ecological City,” to gain a greater understanding of Shanghai’s historical changes, texture, and landscape. They also learned about the significance of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Five New Cities, and urban digital transformation in transforming Shanghai into an internationally influential digital capital. The next day, the delegation visited Yu Garden, a famous historical garden in Shanghai. Its exquisite architectural art and rich cultural connotations were well-noted. Later, they went to the Shanghai History Museum, where they gained a further understanding of the political, economic, cultural, and social history of Shanghai by appreciating the cultural relics in the “Ancient Shanghai” and the “Modern Shanghai” exhibition halls.
This activity included visits to an emerging sci-tech enterprise, an international organization, and a cultural and historical site. It takes the form of a mobile classroom, leading “CAMPUS Asia” students from China, Japan, and the ROK to observe China’s national conditions and culture from a comprehensive and three-dimensional perspective and enhancing their understanding of the country’s achievements by actively participating in the establishment of the global governance system. In addition, this activity implemented the spirit of strengthening domestic “CAMPUS Asia” exchanges advocated by the Ministry of Education, carrying out exchanges and cooperation with the “CAMPUS Asia” Project team at Fudan University and providing a platform for young scholars from China, Japan, and the ROK to understand and learn from each other and cultivate longstanding friendships.
