On September 20, 2026, the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), Tsinghua University, held the seventh Strategic Youth orientation and leadership transition meeting. More than twenty members from universities at home and abroad, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, the University of Cambridge, and Princeton University, attended the event in a hybrid online and offline format. CISS Director Da Wei; Deputy Directors Chen Qi and Liu Feng; Associate Fellow Sun Chenghao; Postdoctoral Fellow and Director of Media and Communications for the China Forum Wen Jing; Postdoctoral Fellow and Assistant Researcher Wang Congyue; Program Officer Guo Mingxinyi; and representatives of previous Strategic Youth cohorts were present.

Wang Congyue and Guo Mingxinyi delivered opening remarks, reviewing the achievements of the Strategic Youth program over the past year, setting out expectations for further enhancing the program's influence and improving its working mechanisms in the coming year, and introducing the newly established "Dawn Scholar Scholarship." They encouraged members to value the platform, strengthen exchanges, and grow together. During the event, the two mentors presented commemorative gifts to Fan Jingyue, Secretary-General of the sixth Strategic Youth cohort, and Ye Zichen, Deputy Secretary-General, in recognition of and gratitude for their contributions to the program's development during their tenure.

The meeting proceeded to the election for the Secretary-General position. Ma Chubo was elected Secretary-General of the seventh Strategic Youth cohort, and Su Yi was elected Deputy Secretary-General.

Following the election, CISS mentors offered earnest messages to the seventh cohort. Da Wei reviewed the original purpose of the program and its journey over the years, emphasizing the program's "pre-career" positioning and expressing hope that every member would benefit from their time in Strategic Youth. Chen Qi noted that the Strategic Youth Secretariat should pay greater attention to members' practical needs, keep abreast of their ideas and expectations in study and research, and provide more targeted service and support. Liu Feng urged the new cohort to broaden their horizons, proactively step beyond campus, and enhance their knowledge and capabilities through wider academic exchange and social practice. Sun Chenghao encouraged members to cherish the Strategic Youth platform and their invaluable youthful years, actively participate in events, and seize development opportunities, while the Center would further leverage the platform to create more space for exchange, learning, and growth. Wen Jing, drawing on the humanistic concern of the discipline of international relations, encouraged members to develop both a broad strategic vision and a regard and respect for individuals, integrating grand reflections on international relations and the world order with a cherishing of and compassion for individual lives.

At the conclusion of the event, Ma Chubo, Secretary-General of the seventh cohort, presented the development plan for the new cohort and announced the heads of the Secretariat's outreach, activities, and publicity groups. The orientation meeting concluded successfully amid a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of free exchange.