An overall views of the Symposium on ‘The Role of China in Global Governance’. (Photo: Duc Khai)

On November 10, in Hanoi, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), and the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS) successfully convened the 2^nd International Sinology Symposium themed on “The Role of China in Global Governance”.

The International Sinology Symposium builds upon the annual China Talk Series hosted by DAV. This year's hybrid event drew participation from over 150 delegates of scholars, experts, leaders, former leaders, and representatives from Vietnamese agencies, alongside other diplomatic representatives in Vietnam.

Presented at the Symposium were Dr. Pham Lan Dung, Acting President; Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Vice President; Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Director General of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies (IFPSS). Veteran diplomats such as Ambassador Nguyen Van Tho, Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, Ambassador Bui The Giang, Ambassador Nguyen Vinh Quang; Vietnamese, along with many Vietnamese Sinology researchers and scholars… also attended the Sessions.

Notably, the Symposium also attracted a distinguished assembly of globally renowned experts and scholars specializing in China, many of whom are affiliated with esteemed universities, research institutes in China.

At the Opening Session, Acting President of DAV, Dr. Pham Lan Dung assessed that the world is currently going through complex changes in the global landscapes, strategic competition, with countries having their own interpretations of the international system. Such differences could cause conflict of interests and perspectives.

Acting President of DAV, Dr. Pham Lan Dung speaks at the Opening Session of the Symposium. (Photo: Duc Khai)

Therefore, as a part of “China Talk” series, the International Sinology Symposium on “The Role of China in Global Governance” serves practical purposes. Dr. Pham Lan Dung hoped that the Symposium will be a “bridge” for scholars to exchange knowledge, expand their networks further their understandings on China’s participation in global governance.

For his part, Associate Professor Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the VASS, emphasized China's transition from participating in global governance to assuming a more pre-active role. Acknowledging its achievements and influence, he also highlighted the challenges inherent in this transformative process. The symposium also drew attention to China's evolving role in global governance, its methods of participation and coordination, developmental trends, and prospective contributions in the upcoming years.

Meanwhile, Mr. Florian Feyerabend, Representative of the KAS in Vietnam, noted the ongoing changes in China and the consequent shift in the global perspective towards it. Therefore, this event provided a valuable opportunity to foster a comprehensive, global understanding of China while promoting the country’s own perception of its global standing.

Mr. Florian Feyerabend, Representative of the KAS in Vietnam, noted the ongoing changes in China and the consequent shift in the global perspective towards it. (Photo: Duc Khai)

Featuring 19 key presentations across four sessions and a keynote session, the Symposium facilitated interdisciplinary exchanges in Sinology, enriching the knowledge of all participants.

In first Session on “China’s Perspective on Global Governance”, scholars concurred that China's vision of global governance is deeply rooted in its tradition, history, culture, values, ideology, economics, and politics. Traditional values were highlighted as instrumental in shaping China's foreign policy mindset and national interests in global governance.

In the second Session of “Strategies to Enhance China’s Participation in Global Governance”, scholars presented in-depth analyses of China's engagement in international economic institutions. They also delved into China's Overseas Development Finance in Southeast Asia, non-traditional security cooperation with the Global South, green and sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region, China's technological advancements and their implications for global cyber governance.

Scholars presented in-depth analyses of China's engagement in international economic institutions in the second Session. (Photo: Minh Quan)

The Keynote Session welcomed Prof. Cheng Li, Founding Director, Center on Governance of China and the World, University of Hong Kong (China). He provided profound insights into its theoretical foundations and practical applications of China's major-power diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the third Session focused on “China’s opportunities and challenges in the existing global governance”. Panelists and participants discussed cooperation in global governance within a fragmented world, addressing both opportunities and challenges for China in transnational security in its neighborhood. They also explored potential areas of cooperation between the country and other major powers, as well as its role in peacekeeping through mediation and crisis management.

In the last session on “China's prospects in global governance”, panelists and scholars explored the country’s position in a new world with new rules, as well as the impact of its global initiatives on global governance. Discussions also covered the country's promotion of South-South cooperation within emerging global organizations and groups, along with its soft power and transformative role in global governance.

On such basis, the Symposium helped Sinology scholars and experts expanding their networks, sharing diverse and multi-faceted assessment, contributing to establishing a realistic, proper perspective on China’s role in international affairs in general as well as global governance specifically.

Other photos of the Symposium:

Scholars exchanged about the origin of China's vision of global governance in the Symposium's first Session. (Ảnh: Minh Quân)

The Symposium also witnessed online participation of Sinology experts. (Photo: Minh Quan)

Professor Cheng Li presented his analysis on China's major-power diplomacy (Photo: Minh Quan)

The Symposium attracted the attention of numerous Ambassador, experts on China...

...as well as reputed, foreign Sinology experts and scholars. (Ảnh: Minh Quân)

Deputy President of DAV, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son (first from the left), monitor the first Session on 'China’s Perspective on Global Governance'. (Photo: Duc Khai)

Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Director General of the IFPSS, shared his perspectives at the Symposium. (Photo: Minh Quan)

Leaders of DAV, IFPSS pictured with Sinology experts and scholars at the Symposium. (Photo: Duc Khai)

Delegates, panelists and scholars in their group photo at the Symposium. (Photo: Minh Quan)