Date: Nov. 2nd, 2018
Source: School of International Studies/China Overseas Interests Research Center

The opening ceremony of the China Overseas Interests Research Center was held at JNU on Oct. 26. Based on JNU's first-level discipline of political science, the center will gather scholars long concerned about international issues. Through academic seminars, regular reports and presentations, it will accumulate experience for JNU's think tank construction to become an important base for studying the rights and interests of overseas enterprises and citizens.

The center was unveiled by JNU Party Secretary Lin Rupeng and Prof. Yu Hongjun, former deputy minister of the International Liaison Department and lead researcher of the Chahar Institute, an unofficial think tank on diplomacy and international relations. In attendance were Teferi M. Desta, Ethiopia's consul general; Sun Xiaojun, executive secretary of the National Council of the Chahar Institute; and over 60 teachers and students. Zhang Zhenjiang, president of the School of International Studies/Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies, hosted the ceremony.

Lin pointed out in his speech that when President Xi Jinping visited JNU on Oct. 24, he affirmed JNU's characteristics of running a school and achievements in education, offering guidance on its future development. Lin also noted that JNU would further implement the strategy of being an Overseas Chinese University Plus Prestigious University, and that it is an important part of the school's strategy to strengthen research on major practical issues and academic achievements.

(Attenders posing for the opening ceremony.)

In the Chinese Interests Overseas Academic Forum after the ceremony, Yu, Desta and Sun spoke, respectively, on advancing the development and protection of Chinese interests overseas together; the present situation and trend in the development of China-Africa cooperation on One Belt, One Road; and insights into One Belt, One Road from foreign and historical perspectives.