Hebei University Hosts China-Latin America Think Tank Experts Symposium

On June 13, marking the one-month anniversary of the successful conclusion of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, a delegation of young scholars from leading think tanks across 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries visited Hebei University. During their stay, the university co-hosted the China-Latin America Think Tank Experts Symposium with the delegation. President Meng Qingyu attended and delivered a speech, while the opening ceremony was presided over by Vice President Zhang Yangjian of Hebei University.

In his speech, President Meng extended a heartfelt welcome to the visiting Latin American experts, highlighting Hebei University’s educational heritage, disciplinary strengths, and steadfast commitment to internationalization. He emphasized the university’s dedication to deepening educational and cultural exchanges with Latin America and expressed hope for expanded collaboration with regional think tanks in academic research, talent development, and other key areas, contributing to the China-Latin America community with a shared future.

Yang Shijun, Counselor from the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, introduced the delegation and thanked Hebei University for its meticulous arrangements. Leonel Escarra, Vice President of Cuba’s Diplomatic Academy, spoke as a foreign representative, praising the significance of the visit and China’s developmental achievements. He expressed strong support for the vision of a global community of shared future and gratitude for China’s longstanding assistance to Cuba. President Meng presented the foreign experts with honorary appointments as adjunct researchers at Hebei University’s Latin America Research Center.

The symposium featured academic exchanges between scholars from Hebei University’s Latin America Research Center and the visiting experts. Yan Yi, Dean of the College of International Exchange and Education and Director of the Latin America Research Center, outlined the university’s research legacy, distinctive focus, scholarly outputs, and future plans in Latin American studies. He warmly invited Latin American students to pursue studies at Hebei University.

Experts from think tanks in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Panama delivered remarks, sharing insights on China’s politics, economy, society, foreign policy, and global governance.

The delegation’s visit is expected to strengthen ties between Hebei University and Latin American academic institutions, advance regional and country-specific studies, and expand the university’s influence in the region.

Accompanying the delegation were Yang Shijun and Sun Maozhang, Second-Level Inspector of the Hebei Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Representatives from Hebei University’s Office of International Cooperation, Institute of Regional and Country Studies, and Common Prosperity Center, along with Latin American students, faculty, and journalists from Xinhua News Agency, China News Service, and Yanzhao New Media, attended the event.