Peking University, April 15, 2023: Recently, about 40 international students from the Peking University’s Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (PKUISSCD), led by the Institute’s Academic Dean, Fu Jun, and the Director of Global Partnership, Zhou Yongmei, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the People’s Republic of China, kickstarting the “Entering China’s Ministries and Commissions” series.
This series of visits is part of an ongoing effort by PKUISSCD to allow students to understand China’s role in the continuously evolving process of national development. Through face-to-face exchange and interactions, the students can gain more diverse viewpoints and expand their understanding of the Chinese government’s participation in international cooperation.
Group photo of teachers and students from the PKUISSCD at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Exhibition Hall
Deputy Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yu Yong expressed a warm welcome to the teachers and students. During the discussion, Yu and his colleagues shared about the experiences and challenges of the Chinese MFA in appropriately handling many international issues. They shared China’s position on managing the cooperation of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, its consistent stance on the conflicts in the Middle East, and the constructive role China has played in resolving the Israel-Palestine issue and the Syria crisis. Yu and his colleagues also had in-depth exchanges with the teachers and students regarding the prospects of China’s participation in “South-South Cooperation” initiatives and how to expand support programs to developing nations (especially the least developed countries) etc. Yu emphasized that no matter what level of development China’s economy has achieved, China will always be a member of the developing world and will continue to work with and speak for developing countries.
Yu Yong delivering a speech at the meeting
In order to provide students with a clearer understanding of the work of China’s MFA, this event also arranged for students to sit in on a MFA Regular Press Conference and interact with MFA Spokesperson, Mao Ning face-to-face.
Group photo of teachers and students from the PKUISSCD at the MFA “Blue Hall”
Mao Ning interacting with the teachers and students from the PKUISSCD
PKUISSCD Ethiopian Doctoral Student, Teka Entehabu (Class of 2025) stated in a review of the visit, “This event is very meaningful, and I really enjoyed the whole process. We gained a deeper understanding of the Chinese government’s efforts to build relations with developing nations. China’s peaceful and friendly international relations are a testament to the consistent professional working spirit of MFA’s diplomats.”
PKUISSCD Burmese Doctoral Student, Lin Zaw Min (Class of 2025) shared, “This visit helped me better understand China’s foreign policies. China continuous to play an important role in maintaining world stability and peace. For example, China plays an active mediation role in the Middle East with the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.”
PKUISSCD Polish Doctoral Student, Jaroslaw Linka (Class of 2026) expressed, “This visit gave me a new understanding of China’s MFA. PKUISSCD has created an interdisciplinary learning environment that allows students to exchange diverse views on the best practices of public leadership and national development.”
Written by: Caitlin Tierney
Edited by: Shi Xinyao
Source: PKU News (
Chinese)
