PolyU is committed to nurturing socially responsible students with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. To equip students to contribute to the Nation’s development, the University recently organised a seminar titled “Challenges and Opportunities of China’s Diplomacy in the New Era”. The seminar featured insights from Ambassadors Huo Yuzhen and Yue Bin, two eminent former ambassadors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They shared their experience and outlook on cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), and evolving China-Russia relations.

The event attracted over 200 PolyU academic staff, students, alumni, and distinguished guests including Mr Anatoly Kargapolov, Consul General of Russia in Hong Kong, and Ms Lu Ke, Deputy Director of the Department of International Organisations and Conferences of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR.

Prospects of China-CEEC cooperation

Ambassador Huo Yuzhen, formerly Ambassador of China to the Czech Republic and Romania, discussed the origins and achievements of China-CEEC cooperation in her keynote speech, titled “Advancing Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics: Forging New Progress in China-CEEC Cooperation”. She emphasised the innovative nature of China-CEEC cooperation, which aims to deepen collaboration across various fields and promote stability in China-Europe relations. Since its inception 13 years ago, the cooperation has developed a comprehensive framework yielding significant benefits. Ambassador Huo advocated for expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as green energy and artificial intelligence.

China-Russia partnership in the new era

Ambassador Yue Bin, formerly China’s Ambassador to Georgia and Tajikistan, addressed China-Russia relations in his speech titled “New Era of Sino-Russian Relations amid a Century of Change”. With 37 years of diplomatic experience, he analysed the turbulence and transformations in international politics, economics, and security. He also examined the historical evolution and features of China-Russia ties, noting that in the new era, their relations are characterised by strategic head-of-state diplomacy, supported by a comprehensive interaction mechanism, robust economic and trade cooperation, and more, aiming for a long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial partnership.

Ambassadors Huo Yuzhen (left) and Yue Bin (right) interacted with PolyU students, staff and alumni during the Q&A session.

Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, expressed his gratitude to the ambassadors for their valuable insights, which have deepened the PolyU community’s understanding of the characteristics, strategies and practices of China’s foreign policy, while also broadening their global perspectives and reinforcing their national pride.

The seminar was hosted by the PolyU Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture, Confucius Institute of Hong Kong and Mainland Development Office, in collaboration with the China Foreign Affairs University.