On October 11, 2020, the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University (CISS) held the launch ceremony of its CISS Youth project. Young students from Tsinghua University (THU), Renmin University of China (RUC), University of International Relations (UIR), China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), among others, attended the event through a combination of online and offline participation. Guests were invited for keynote speeches and dialogues with our young participants at the event, including UIR Assistant President and Professor DA Wei, RUC Associate Professor LI Chen, Assistant Fellow at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations SUN Chenghao, Assistant Fellow at China Institute of International Studies YAO Jinxiang, and two young diplomats from the Department of Policy Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony was moderated by CISS Deputy Director XIAO Qian.
Ms. XIAO Qian kicked off the event with an introduction to the background and positioning of CISS Youth, pointing out that based on its observation of the youth projects run by overseas think tanks, CISS seeks to build this one as a platform for training young scholars and students who actively conduct global research and tell China stories in the international arena. Inspired by the UNESCO report Learning: The Treasure Within, CISS hopes that the project will help its members foster the abilities of learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be, said XIAO Qian. Moving forward, CISS Youth Secretary-General WANG Jingshu elaborated on the project in terms of its positioning, organizational structure, and membership system.
In the guest session, Professor DA Wei described the caliber required in a strategic researcher, including an accurate understanding of China and, based on that, the ability of strategic thinking—to look at things from holistic, historical, logical and different perspectives. He added that the cause of strategic research also calls for diligence and persistence, as it is a long-term build-up that takes day-to-day learning and the ability to recognize one’s own perception gaps.
Associate Professor LI Chen shared his experience as a student at Cambridge University and the London School of Economics, as well as his career in a university-based strategic research institution in his student days to illustrate how students can get involved in the field of strategic security. He stressed that the first and foremost job of university students is to build a strong academic foundation and perfect their knowledge structure. Secondly, as he suggested, students should broaden their horizons by following and participating in events held by major think tanks, and never stop reading, thinking, and asking questions. Regarding the work of strategic research, Professor LI discussed the relationship between buildup as input and analysis and evaluation as output, as well as the links between basic and applied research. He underscored the significance of historical research and the challenge of knowing ourselves and our counterparts, as well as the need to find out the strengths of different universities and their schools in the field of strategic studies, in order to prepare the ground for international exchanges and mutual enrichment in the post-pandemic era.
Assistant Fellow SUN Chenghao believes that the positioning of CISS Youth will greatly benefit the bridge-building between universities, think tanks and concerned ministerial departments in their effort to nurture multitalented professionals. Specifically, he shared his experience in conducting American studies through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Quoting the words of one of the experts, he concluded with an earnest encouragement to the students that strategic research always requires extreme caution and prudence, a solid foundation, the ability to analyze with a developmental and strategic vision, and exceptional insights.
Assistant Fellow YAO Jinxiang discussed the relationship between reading, writing and the development of thinking skills based on his doctoral education at Waseda University in Japan, giving pertinent advice to our young participants onsite. In addition, he presented his views on Japanese studies.
Two young diplomats from the Department of Policy Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared their thoughts on their daily practices as policy researchers, and proposed the skillsets and aptitudes required in becoming a diplomat. They expressed the hope that the students present would better prepare for their future diplomatic services.
Before the end of the event, the guests took questions from the students on the strengths and weaknesses of young researchers in conducting strategic studies, the ways of telling China stories and telling them well, and other issues.
CISS Youth, a special project led by CISS, is dedicated for research exchanges among young students and professionals in the field of international studies. It is independently organized by its young members through lectures, seminars, roundtables, large-scale annual forums, etc. CISS Youth seeks to foster young students and scholars with a global and strategic vision who will grow into active players in the international arena. The project also serves as a referrer and funder for outstanding members to study and speak at international forums as the voice of China telling its stories. Recruitment is open now and closes on October 31, 2020. Click here for more information: Join Us | CISS Youth: Into The Future