On September 18, 2023, at the invitation of the Northeast Asia Research Center and the School of Northeast Asian Studies of Jilin University, Professor Lin Zuoping, former Deputy Secretary-General of the China Education International Exchange Association, delivered a lecture themedOn International Science and Technology Exchanges from the Perspectives of Global Governance and Country and Region Studies: Historical Observations and Reflections on the Future. More than 40 teachers and students from the School of Northeast Asian Studies attended the event, which was presided over by Wang Yanjun, Vice Dean of the School of Northeast Asian Studies and the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University.
Centered on science and technology exchanges, the lecture was structured into three parts for elaboration and reflection: the definition of sci-tech exchanges, the arduous development of such exchanges amid China’s industrialization and modernization drive, and the interplay between the Belt and Road Initiative and international sci-tech cooperation. Against the backdrop of fierce global competition and games over science and technology, Professor Lin drew on vivid personal experiences and lively narratives to review China’s modernization journey in different eras since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, expounding the pivotal role of international sci-tech exchanges in each stage. He also highlighted the achievements of Luban Workshops, administered by the China Education International Exchange Association, in disseminating China’s vocational education concepts overseas.
Over the past 70-plus years since the founding of New China, history has proven that as a vital component of public diplomacy, science and technology exchanges have played an irreplaceable role both in China’s socialist development and in its diplomatic and international engagement in the new era. The audience responded with warm applause to Professor Lin’s insightful presentation.
Vice Dean Wang Yanjun extended his gratitude to Professor Lin Zuoping for his lecture. In his closing remarks, he noted that senior experts like Professor Lin had been indispensable in helping China achieve scientific and technological progress through international exchanges. Amid the volatile and shifting global landscape, he urged students to conduct calm observation and in-depth reflection on how to sustain international sci-tech exchanges to fuel national development, shoulder their responsibilities, and grow into practitioners of public diplomacy in the future.
