The Academy of Regional and Global Governance, in collaboration with the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), hosted the BFSU New Year Forum 2025 on Jan 16.

Themed “Asia: A Shared Home of Harmony and Coexistence”, the event was jointly organized by the Cross-disciplinary and Innovative Platform of the Joint Research Institutes of International Organizations, Country and Area Studies and International Communication under the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Research Base on the Community for the Chinese Nation under the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China.

The BFSU New Year Forum 2025 takes place on Jan 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Speaking at the forum, Jia Peng, deputy director of the MOE’s Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, said that against the backdrop of building a high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, there has been greater integration of interests between China and other Asian countries, with friendship and mutual trust continuing to deepen.

Recognizing that practical empowerment is key to the high-quality growth of country and area studies, Jia emphasized the need to advance talent cultivation, strengthen think tank development and facilitate policy advisory services through practical engagement.

He said he hopes that BFSU will better utilize available resources to establish influential research institutions and produce impactful academic achievements.

Liu Xinlu, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, said the forum aims to provide a platform for country and area studies focused on neighboring regions and Asia, characterized by diverse perspectives and the spirit of mutual learning.

BFSU is committed to strengthening exchanges with domestic and international universities, research institutions and scholars to produce fruitful outcomes, Liu added.

Drawing from his own teaching and research experience, Zhai Kun, deputy director of Peking University's Institute of Area Studies, affirmed the importance of neighboring region studies.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Cross-disciplinary and Innovative Platform of the Joint Research Institutes of International Organizations, Country and Area Studies and International Communication, expressed his hope to highlight the value of country and area studies in achieving interdisciplinary integration and innovation through continuous and close dialogue and exchanges.

Participants of the BFSU New Year Forum 2025 pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The forum consisted of three parts: Seminar on Neighboring Circumstances and Regional Relations, Exchange on Disciplinary Construction and Academic Research Related to Neighboring Countries and Areas, and International Dialogue on Building Asia into a Shared Home of Harmony and Coexistence. 

The event attracted nearly 80 experts and scholars from renowned domestic and international institutions, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Cambridge and the National University of Singapore.