The International Symposium on Chinese Modernization and Global Development was held at Nankai University on October 19. Over 300 experts, scholars, faculty and students from universities, research institutes, and government bodies in 11 countries and regions as well as international organizations attended the symposium.

This is the first symposium of this series held by the Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization of Nankai University since its establishment.

The symposium was attended by Chen Yulu, Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the National People’s Congress, President of Nankai University, and Director of the Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization; Zheng Xinli, former Deputy Director of the Central Policy Research Office and Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges; Stephen S. Roach, Senior Fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School; Zheng Yongnian, Dean of the Qianhai Institute for International Affairs of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and Chairman of the Guangzhou Institute of GBA; Gong Ke, Executive Director of the Chinese Institute of New-Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, former Chairman of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, and former President of Nankai University; Donald Worster, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a professor at the University of Texas; Alfons Labisch, Fellow of the German Academy of Sciences and former President of the University of Dusseldorf; Sung-Hun Kim, President of Cheju Halla University in South Korea; Ma Min, former President of Central China Normal University and convener of the Discipline Evaluation Group of the State Council; Yusuke Kawamura, former Vice President of Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd. of Japan; Zhan Furui, Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature of Beijing Foreign Studies University; Chen Qiye, President of the Singapore Pacific Economic Cooperation Council; Sheng Bin, Vice President of Nankai University; and Chen Zongsheng, a chair professor at Nankai University. The opening ceremony was chaired by Liang Qi, Vice Chancellor of Nankai University and Executive Vice Director of the Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization.

In the speech, Chen Yulu said that realizing national modernization is a relentless pursuit of the Chinese people, and it is also the common aspiration of the people of all countries. Theoretical and practical research on Chinese path to modernization has become the focus of Chinese and even global academic communities. As a key “double first-class” university and an important philosophy and social sciences research center, Nankai University has acted proactively and established a high-standard Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization, which is committed to exploring the best Chinese path to modernization. Many of the policy suggestions put forward by NKU scholars have been adopted for major national policies, providing a key boost for the practice of Chinese path to modernization. It is hoped that this symposium will gather more insights into theory on the Chinese path to modernization and world modernization.

Laurent Fabius, Chairman of the French Constitutional Council, an honorary doctor and honorary professor at Nankai University, said in his speech that next year will see the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and France. He hoped that this symposium will inspire thoughts on the development process of Chinese path to modernization, and promote the understanding and cooperation between the Chinese and French peoples. At present, humanity is confronting the grim challenge of climate change, and global solutions are urgently needed to pursue sustainable modernization. Therefore, while focusing on short-term goals, governments around the world should put a higher value on the formulation of long-term strategies and strive to build harmonious international relations for cooperation. He said that multilateralism is the inevitable choice, and he will firmly support multilateralism and work to promote win-win results for all countries in the world.

Stephen S. Roach delivered a keynote speech on “The Road to Conflict Resolution”. He stressed that China-U.S. relations are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world today. In the current international environment, China and the United States should work together to seek new ways to foster cooperation, including rebuilding trust, promoting growth, and creating a new framework. In the theme talk session, eight experts who have top academic accomplishments and influence in related research areas shared their insights and views on academic and practical issues regarding Chinese path to modernization and global development.

The first theme talk was chaired by Gong Ke. Three professors, Stephen S. Roach, Zheng Yongnian and Chen Zongsheng, discussed “Chinese Path to Modernization and Global Sustainable Development”, offering fresh perspectives and ways of thinking for addressing problems in current global development in terms of ecological civilization, geopolitics, innovation-driven development, etc.

Gong Ke said that Chinese path to modernization is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Stephen S. Roach again emphasized the importance of building harmonious China-U.S. relations. 

Zheng Yongnian said that China has always pursued the path of peaceful development in modernization, a way for the world to better understand Chinese path to modernization.

Chen Zongsheng said that China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges should be promoted and  a win-win China-U.S.cooperation should be established.

The second theme talk was chaired by Professor Wang Lihua of the Faculty of History of Nankai University. Three professors, Donald Worster, Alfons Labisch, and Zheng Xinli, discussed the topic of “Life Care of Chinese Modernization”, with a focus on issues such as people’s well-being and macroeconomic policies, and shared practical Chinese solutions.

Wang Lihua said that Chinese modernization is people-oriented modernization. It focuses on modernization of people, and is concerned about people’s health and life.

Donald Worster said that in the face of emerging environmental and ecological problems worldwide, we should appropriately integrate the ecological concepts in the natural sciences into the philosophy of modern development, and seek a path of natural and coordinated sustainable development.

Alfons Labisch discussed the correlation between infectious diseases, modernity and globalization.

Zheng Xinli said that China will gradually increase investment in the ecological environment and provide more scientific research resources to help achieve carbon neutrality and carbon peaking.

The symposium also set up five parallel forums. 52 Chinese and foreign scholars discussed topics such as “Chinese Path to Modernization and Global Economic Governance”, “Chinese Path to Modernization and the New Form of Human Civilization”, “Chinese Path to Modernization and the Pursuit of Shared Values of Mankind” and “Chinese Path to Modernization and the Sustainable Development of Global Tourism” from the perspectives of theoretical development, exploration and practice, key issues and major needs of modernization. 

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)