Author: Li Lun, member of the 4th cohort of CISS Youth, pursuing master’s degree at the National University of Defense Technology, major in military diplomacy. He has published over 40 articles in military and civilian media.

Academic pursuits require patience, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. A positive mindset and strong psychological resilience are crucial in the face of setbacks. A platform for peer exchange and sharing is invaluable for young scholars to express their views, build confidence, and gain courage. CISS Youth provides such a platform, bringing together vibrant and dynamic young people to engage in academic exchange and enjoy the journey of learning.

From my perspective, on November 3rd, when I completed the 10th session of the “CISS Youth Talk,” I felt both excited and nervous. From topic selection, data collection, argument formulation, and evidence refinement to finalizing the draft and preparing the presentation, the process was demanding. However, since U.S. naval diplomacy is my primary research focus, I was able to save some time during preparation. Naval diplomacy, a crucial component of military diplomacy, involves the use of naval forces to represent a nation’s government in peaceful or non-peaceful interactions with other governments or non-governmental organizations. It plays a significant role in safeguarding national maritime security, protecting marine resources, ensuring the safety of maritime trade, and serving the nation's overall strategy. A deep understanding of the mechanisms and manifestations of U.S. naval diplomacy is essential for China’s maritime development, particularly in building a modern naval diplomacy system.

The experience with “CISS Youth Talk” was invaluable. I was thrilled to share my academic insights with mentors and peers from CISS Youth online. The insightful comments from Prof.Wen Jing and the diverse questions from the participants left a lasting impression on me, highlighting the challenges of research and the need for continuous self-improvement. For example, Prof.Wen Jing pointed out that India is not only a key pillar in U.S. hegemonic strategy but also a significant third party in Sino-U.S. competition and an important country in the Global South, encouraging me to delve deeper into this area. Additionally, I was not entirely satisfied with my performance during the Q&A session, as my responses were somewhat vague. Liu Yuan's question about current Russia-India defense relations and Russia's latest moves in the Indo-Pacific region made me realize that studying U.S.-India interactions alone is insufficient for understanding great power competition and cooperation; the influence of other major powers and regional organizations must also be considered. Through these interactions, I gained a deeper understanding of my research topic, motivating me to be more diligent and meticulous in my academic pursuits. In summary, I feel fortunate to have encountered the CISS Youth platform and look forward to mutual encouragement and growth with my academic peers.

I have also learned about a series of other brand activities, which I find highly appealing. Before officially joining CISS Youth, I submited an article “Perspectives on U.S. Naval Diplomacy towards India under the Indo-Pacific Strategy” to the “American Observation” column. This column encourages students to identify valuable policy dynamics and significant issues within their research fields and articulate their own viewpoints, rather than merely summarizing existing data. In my article, I analyzed the background, characteristics, and future trends of U.S. naval diplomacy towards India and proposed my own perspectives on its future direction. The rigorous academic attitude and solid theoretical foundation of Cai Yihang, the editor of “American Observation” left a deep impression on me during the revision process. This experience sparked my desire to join the CISS Youth. Subsequently, I went through the initial application, interview, and online new member orientation, and in October, I had the opportunity to interact with some CISS Youth members in person during an academic event in Beijing. These experiences allowed me to get to know these outstanding young peers better. Although my studies in the ancient city of Jinling prevent me from participating in some offline activities like international exchanges and certain “Face-to-Face with Experts” sessions, it does not diminish my enthusiasm for other CISS activities. It feels like a late but fortunate encounter. Academic creation and exchange are inherently joyful, and I hope more students will join me in generating new insights and ideas through interaction. Perhaps, for me, being a CISS Youth member is more about responsibility and motivation. In the days to come, I will continue to leverage my expertise to contribute to the development of CISS Youth.

“CISS Youth Footprints” is a special column documenting the diverse project experiences, learning outcomes, and activity reflections of its members. This column, based on activities like “CISS Youth Talk,” “Face-to-Face with Experts,” “American Observation,” international exchanges, and field research, encourages active participation from “CISS Youth” members, fostering a culture of step-by-step growth and shared progress. Through words, we witness growth; through expression, we showcase individuality; and through companionship, we move forward together, building a community culture that progresses collectively towards the future.