Peking University, December 14, 2023: On December 10, 2023, the Sino-US University Presidents' Dialogue was held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), co-organized by Peking University (PKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). 

This year's dialogue was held under the theme of “A Shared Future of Chinese and American Universities Based on Cooperation and Partnership,” and was attended by more than 30 university presidents and distinguished guests from over 20 universities across China and the US. Gong Qihuang, president of PKU, Duan Chongzhi, president of CUHK, and Gene Block, president of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), delivered the opening address at the opening ceremony.


Chen Jie, vice minister of education of the People's Republic of China and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech. Chen pointed out that this dialogue was the first concrete step by Sino-US education institutes in implementing what was agreed upon by the leaders of both countries at the San Francisco Summit. The dialogue also highlights the importance of educational cooperation in promoting people-to-people exchange.


Gong emphasized that higher education cooperation is a key aspect of Sino-US cultural exchanges. Regardless of international developments, universities of both countries should expand academic cooperation and knowledge sharing, collaborate in nurturing talents who are globally oriented, and ultimately contribute to the prosperity of mankind. Now more than ever, face-to-face interactions between Sino-US universities are crucial in restoring and promoting cooperation. 


Duan pointed out that as the world's two largest economies and education powerhouses, China and the US shoulder the important responsibility of building a more connected and harmonious world. The universities represented in the dialogue are united in wanting to improve the quality of higher education and find sustainable solutions for the benefit of the world through open dialogue and a collaborative spirit.


Block pointed out that universities should tap on their strengths in building bridges between universities of both countries. In particular, more can be done to promote educational cooperation in areas such as student exchanges, medical research, and mitigating climate change. 

Group photo of the participants

In the two sub-forums that followed, the dialogue participants discussed how Sino-US universities could work together on achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and explored potential models of cooperation for Sino-US universities. Sharing their experiences and perspectives, the university presidents proposed to strengthen mutual trust and respect, broadening youth exchanges, promoting mutual learning in art and culture, and expanding cooperation in cutting-edge science.

Written by: Wang Yu Hsuan
Edited by: Su Huangyi
Source: PKU News (Chinese)