On December 22, 2024, the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS)held the Fifth CISS Youth "Academic Partners" Meeting and Project Launch Ceremony. A total of 16 CISS Youth members from Tsinghua University, Peking University, China Foreign Affairs University, Harvard University, and other domestic and international universities participated in the event through online and offline format.
Prof.Da Wei, Director of CISS and Ms.Xiao Qian, Deputy Director of CISS delivered opening remarks. Dr.Sun Chenghao and Dr.Shi Yan, as well as CISS Postdoctoral Fellows Wen Jing and Wang Congyue, attended the meeting as "Academic Partners" mentors. The event was hosted by Zhang Yuanshi, Secretary-General of the Fifth Cohort of CISS Youth.
In the opening remarks, Prof.Da Wei highly praised the CISS Youth "Academic Partners" Program and the achievements of CISS Youth over the years. He emphasized the core philosophy of the "Academic Partners" initiative, stating that its goal is to fully integrate CISS's academic resources and establish a closer connection with CISS Youth.
Prof.Da highlighted the "pre-career" function of the program, aiming to enhance young scholars' capabilities and provide them with valuable academic and professional development opportunities. Looking ahead, he expressed his high expectations for the program, hoping that through its implementation, CISS Youth members will advance to higher levels in both academia and practice.
Finally, he extended his best wishes for the successful progress of the "Academic Partners" Program and encouraged participants to achieve fruitful outcomes through their collaboration with CISS faculty.
Next, Wang Yinuo, Minister of the Academic Department of the Fifth Members of CISS Youth, introduced the "Academic Partners" Program and its mechanism. This initiative pairs CISS Youth members with CISS faculty as "academic partners", fostering collaborative academic research and practical activities. The participating CISS faculty members highly praised the program and shared their insights on its significance.
Dr. Sun Chenghao,Fellow of CISS, shared his perspectives on Track II diplomacy. He highlighted that since 2019, the collaborative dialogue between CISS and the Brookings Institution has demonstrated the significant value of ‘Track II discussions’, particularly in artificial intelligence and national security.
Dr. Sun emphasized that the informal nature of ‘Track II diplomacy’ helps break policy deadlocks, foster mutual understanding, and pave the way for official dialogues. He further underscored the importance of practical experience in academic research, noting that while theoretical frameworks provide analytical tools, only through hands-on practice can one gain a comprehensive understanding of international affairs. Encouraging young scholars to step out of their comfort zones, he urged them to actively engage in international conferences and think tank projects, leveraging practical experiences to enhance the depth and breadth of their research. Additionally, he advised CISS Youth members to strengthen cross-cultural communication and serve as bridges for international discourse. Dr. Sun expressed his hope that CISS Youth members would cultivate both diplomatic acumen and strong writing skills, making meaningful contributions to policy research and practice.
Dr. Wen Jing shared her views on the role of young scholars in international exchange and research. She emphasized that youth play a vital role in driving international engagement and should make full use of think tank platforms and resources to actively participate in academic research and practical activities. At the same time, she encouraged young scholars to reflect deeply and cultivate independent viewpoints, as a solid academic foundation would help them effectively amplify China's voice on the global stage. Dr. Wen also highlighted the importance of media in international relations, discussing how communication influences global issues. She encouraged young scholars to engage in international dialogue actively and leverage media as a tool for shaping narratives and fostering mutual understanding.
Dr. Shi Yan focused on the integration of academic research with practical application, the development of young scholars, and the distinctive role of think tanks. She emphasized that think tanks differ from traditional academic institutions in that they not only value theoretical depth but also prioritize the transformation of research into actionable policy recommendations. Think tanks aim to influence global discourse through international exchanges, allowing China to voice its perspectives more effectively.
Dr. Shi expressed her strong support for the "Academic Partners" Program, noting that the ‘one-on-one mentorship model’ enables students to stay updated on research trends, refine their academic focus, and bridge the gap between theory and practice. She also highlighted the existing misconceptions that European and American youth have about China, stressing that more direct and open youth exchanges are essential to addressing this issue. She encouraged students to leverage the platform and resources available, continuously refine their expertise, and enhance their global influence while demonstrating a sense of responsibility and professionalism in international engagement.
Dr. Wang Congyue emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between CISS faculty and CISS Youth members, pointing out that solid theoretical research serves as the foundation for solving real-world problems, while practical experience provides valuable insights for academic exploration. He shared his research interests in Russia and Central Asia, Eurasian relations, and great power competition, explaining how policy consulting, research projects, and international engagement enable young scholars to translate theories into policy recommendations while accumulating practical experience. He underscored that such a process leads to qualitative improvement through continuous learning and application. Finally, he reaffirmed the value of the "Academic Partners" Program, encouraging students to leverage academic research to address real-world challenges.
Following the discussions, CISS Youth members expressed their appreciation for the "Academic Partners" Program, recognizing it as a valuable platform that not only broadens their academic horizons but also enhances their personal and professional capabilities. Many participants noted that working with CISS faculty allows them to quickly gain in-depth insights into key issues across various fields, helping them overcome research limitations and explore broader possibilities. They acknowledged that their previous research efforts had often been fragmented and self-directed, whereas the "Academic Partners" Program" enables them to refine their research focus with greater precision and laying a solid foundation for their future research and career planning.
In conclusion, Ms. Xiao Qian elaborated on the significance of the "Academic Partners" Program and key issues related to youth development. Ms. Xiao emphasized that the "Academic Partners" Program provides a high-level platform for young scholars, integrating rich academic resources and practical opportunities. Through close collaboration with their academic mentors, students can enhance their research capabilities, strengthen their practical skills, and achieve well-rounded development. She further highlighted the distinctive value of think tanks compared to traditional academic institutions, pointing out that think tanks are problem-oriented and practice-driven. By applying theoretical knowledge to real-world issues, think tanks demonstrate the practical significance of academic research. Ms. Xiao particularly encouraged young scholars to cultivate three core qualities: Vision, Passion and Action. By engaging with distinguished scholars and internationally renowned experts, young scholars can broaden their global perspective. At the same time, they should dedicate themselves to academic research with passion, pursue intellectual innovation, and gain valuable experience through regional studies and project-based practice, honing their ability to tackle real-world challenges. Ms. Xiao expressed high expectations for the future of CISS Youth, encouraging more young scholars to actively participate in international cooperation and practical exploration.
The successful CISS Youth "Academic Partners" Meeting and Project Launch Ceremony not only showcased CISS Youth's commitment to fostering young scholars' academic development but also established a high-level platform that integrates theory and practice for youth growth. By fully leveraging think tank resources, this program will support young scholars in enhancing their capabilities in international exchange, policy research, and academic writing.
Going forward, the CISS Youth Secretariat will further optimize the program's structure, explore innovative activity formats, and create a more open and diverse exchange platform, providing young scholars with expanded resources and growth opportunities. Through this platform, CISS Youth will continue to develop and contribute their insights and efforts to tackling future global challenges.