Early this December, faculty members and students both at home and abroad at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) participated in a dialogue to exchange their views on the development of contemporary China.
Upholding the spirit of the Sixth Plenary of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the dialogue, “China’s Development in My Eyes”, was an interactive session held by the SIRPA Branch of CPC SISU Committee as one of the featured activities to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
The dialogue, delivered in English, was to establish a bridge for the communication between students and scholars worldwide at SIRPA. Dr. Xu Anlyu, lecturer in English and Secretary of SIRPA’s faculty committee sub-branch presided over the dialogue.
In his opening remarks, Associate Prof. Zhang Shaoduo, Secretary of SIRPA’s committee branch centered on the essence and significance of the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century (hereinafter referred to as “The Resolution”), by pointing out that it has well summarized the history of Chinese people under the leadership of CPC in the past hundred years.
In particular, in the current battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the life of all Chinese people are always of primary concern by the party and Chinese government. Actions speak louder than words. China has been taking the lead in achieving the goal of minimizing and clearing COVID-19 infections in a timely manner so as to successfully reboot its economy and production. These acts fully demonstrate the governance ability and wisdom of the CPC and the charm of the whole-process democracy of China.
Four international postgraduate students followed up with speeches on their understanding of China’s development from different perspectives. Lee Joohyun from Korea believes that China-Korea friendship enjoys a long history. She mentioned the film Kung Fu Panda and thought that China is similar to the protagonist Po, having both strength and charm, and it attracts the youths across the world like her, and drives China and Korea to move forward in respect of cooperation.
Nigerian student Umeokwuegbu Nora delivered a speech with a metaphor of China as “Phoenix Nirvana”. She believes that it is under the leadership of the CPC that China can revitalize despite occasional fluctuations along her long history. By centering on the comparison of the images of traditional Chinese culture between the past and the present, She points out that China’s cultural influence abroad is improving day by day, and that China’s colorful costumes, diverse dishes and music works integrated with traditional elements have attracted the attention of the world.
Mitu Poddar, a Bangladeshi student, proposed a chronical review of China’s development achievements. In her view, China has responded to many demands with actual actions. No matter it is the poverty alleviation or the efficient High-Speed Railway construction, China has made unremitting efforts to elevate people’s sense of happiness in an all-round way. With a combination of both long-term and short-term goals, China has made continuous progress in every one of her five-year plans. Now China is steadily heading towards the center of the world stage.
Venezuelan student Everett expounded his understanding of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He regarded that the CPC is able to keep up with the times, explore during practice, and give heed to the development opportunities of the new era by always keeping in mind her history and past experiences, adhering to the “people-centered philosophy of development,” and walking in the forefront of the times in the historical process of the ever-changing world.
Afterwards, Associate Prof. Indira Sridhar, SIRPA expert from India reviewed the four speeches and shared her own views of China’s development in her decade-long expatriate life in Shanghai and SISU.
The third part of the dialogue is composed of the talks and speeches by three Chinese students and four Chinese teachers. Li Lingyun, an junior undergraduate majoring in international politics, described her understanding of carrying forward Chinese traditional culture and articulating the voice of China from the perspective of cultual achievements since the founding of the CPC. Young Chinese could and should shoulder their responsibilities in making their own contributions to “tell the stories of China” from their varied perspectives.
Ge Yuyang of the postgraduate level complimented on the broadness and of CPC’s vision in developing a shared future for mankind, adhering to the sense of responsibility and upholding multilateralism. He considers China as one of the builders of the world peace, one of the contributors to the global development and one of the keepers of the international order.
Ph.D. candidate Zhang Xiaoyin pointed out that students majoring in international relations should not only understand the essence of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Foreign Affairs and the concept of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind, but also pay attention to the differences between Chinese and Western cultures and contexts during international communication, so that the stories of China can be well told.
Associate Prof. Tang Bei mentioned that she hoped young students could find inner peace and strength to have their moment to shine, and to participate in the development of our motherland with collected wisdom.
Dr. Wang Kai proposed that “The Resolution” manifests a critical consensus of China’s past and future. In a rapidly-changing world, this indispensable consensus would not only ensure a peaceful development for China, but also benefit the world as a whole. Dr. Sheng Chunhong said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has become highly aware of the issue of climate change and has had a strong willingness to take the responsibility. Dr. Wang Di talked about the opening-up of Chinese education. She mentioned the higher quality of Chinese educational programs, faster development of educational technology and more voices of Chinese scholars in the global academia.
The dialogue exemplified Confucius notion that “if people from afar hesitate to come and accustom themselves, you can enchant them by endorsing propriety, righteousness and culture,” and the philosophy from The Book of Changes which goes “a gentleman demonstrates his virtue by practicing it, just as the sun shows its brightness by sunrise.” These notions are, in fact, coinciding with Joseph Nye’s constantly-quoted concept of soft power.
SIRPA houses the largest number of international students at SISU, with two master’s degree programs taught all-through in English, namely International Relations and China Studies. Students said they feel at home at SISU, as can be seen from the touching story of Professor Wang Duanyong, who went to Afghanistan to carry out make-up examination for the international students unable to return China. The dialogue was a platform for both Chinese and international students to have a better understanding of contemporary China and tell Chinese stories globally.
