The Belgium Forum of World Dialogue on China Studies was held on Thursday in Brussels, gathering approximately 60 scholars and experts from China and Europe to share their research and insights on China Studies and the European Understanding of China.
The participating scholars emphasized that China's prosperity and progress contribute to global peace and development, highlighting China's role as a model of openness. The promising cooperation between China and Europe brings mutual benefits and opportunities, fostering a deeper understanding of China's development within Europe, they said.
The academic communities from both sides agreed that they should strengthen China studies and academic exchanges across various sectors to enhance mutual understanding, deepen mutual learning, and help each other succeed.
"It's important to reconnect with colleagues in China. This is a unique opportunity to the number of distinguished scholars from different parts of China to come here and meet European scholars, this is the first one. But the second thing is also that different experts working on China from various European countries are meeting here," said Dominic Sachsenmaier, a professor at University of Gottingen.
"We need to have a good knowledge of Chinese history, Chinese culture and China contemporary situation. So, I think we do need to a kind of really encourage people to study China more. At the moment, I think it's pretty critical," said Kerry Brown, a professor at King's Collage London.
During the forum, the English version of "An Introduction to World China Studies" was launched at the book fair dedicated to China studies.
Belgium Forum of World Dialogue on China Studies held in Brussels
Belgium Forum of World Dialogue on China Studies held in Brussels
A youth summer camp aimed to carry forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers and promote friendship and cultural exchanges between Chinese and American students was opened in Beijing on Wednesday.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China during World War II.
After over eight decades, the stories about the Flying Tigers have been passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with mutual friendship continuing to flourish, and with new vitality.
The summer camp, officially known as the Chinese Bridge Flying Tigers Summer Camp for American Students, was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF), and has attracted over 100 teachers and students from the United States and various regions of China.
Before the launching ceremony, the organizers, along with many Chinese students, prepared various Chinese folk activities and games for the overseas friends, such as trying traditional Chinese musical instruments, playing the Touhu or pitch-pot game, and experiencing paper-cutting techniques.
"I'm going to try the Chinese flute," said an American student.
"I pretty much enjoyed the pitch-pot game," said another American student.
Most of the students participating in the event were from friendly schools of the Flying Tigers, and some were even descendants of the Flying Tigers.
"Yes, he was in the Flying Tigers before I was born. He flew hundreds of mission. [I am expecting] to see a lot more history about the Flying Tigers, to have a lot more learning about it," said another summer camp student. "I think this is a wonderful moment to commemorate our solidarity with the students of the Flying Tigers summer camp and to strive for progress together," said Zhang Yiyuan, a Chinese student from central China's Hunan Province.
At the opening ceremony, Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the SAAHF, said that he hoped the campers can cherish and enjoy this journey, spend a fulfilling and meaningful time in China, and share the story of the Flying Tigers with more people.
Organizers said that they will launch five such youth summer camps in the next five years to deepen bilateral friendship and pass on the Flying Tigers spirit.
After the trip to Beijing, the campers will also go to southwest China's Yunnan Province, the birthplace of the Flying Tigers, to learn more about the stories of these war heroes, according to organizers.
Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing
