On April 17, the Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) 2025 officially kicked off at the Hainan Lingshui Li’an International Education and Innovation Pilot Zone.
As a flagship event initiated and organized by Yenching Scholars, YGS provides emerging global leaders with a space for cross-cultural dialogue. Over the past eight years, YGS has received thousands of young participants from more than 100 countries and regions. Itaims to build a more inclusive and resilient global network of the youth and empowers the young generation as ground-breakers and bridge-builders in an era of transformation.
YGS 2025 took on the theme Fortitude: Navigating the Tides of Change, examining the idea through global, national, and personal lenses in a post-pandemic era of geopolitical changes and cross-cultural interactions.
Building on this theme, the Symposium explored the concept of fortitude across three dimensions. First, “Global Fortitude: Embracing Opportunities and Challenges” highlighted the importance of international collaboration and adaptive innovation. Second, “National Fortitude: Retaining Traditions in Modernity” examined how cultural legacies can be sustained within an increasingly modernized context. Finally, “Personal Fortitude: Empowering Youth in the Changing World” offered insights into the role of youth leadership amid global uncertainty.
In the following days, 200 delegates from 47 countries and regions joined global experts and leading figures in a series of panel discussions, addressing the future of international exchange and cooperation in a world of opportunities and challenges.
The ceremony opened with a welcome video prepared by the 2025 Executive Committee, alongside an inspiring message from YCA Dean Dong Qiang, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Yang Ying (China, cohort 2024), co-chair of YGS 2025, stressed the importance of adapting to today’s fast-changing world. Quoting the Chinese proverb, “Change leads to advancement, and advancement secures sustainability,” Yang encouraged young people to embrace change and take decisive action, stressing that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but the very embodiment of the future. She also shared the rationale behind choosing the theme “Fortitude” and reflected on understanding China through a global lens.
Liu Ming, Deputy Director of the Administration Bureau of the Hainan Lingshui Li’an International Education and Innovation Pilot Zone, warmly welcomed all participants. He expressed his satisfaction at this second collaboration between the Pilot Zone and the Yenching Academy and elaborated on the Zone’s efforts to transform education. Amid profound changes in the global education landscape, the Pilot Zone aims to serve as a model of open, innovative education in China and a platform for international cooperation. Partnered with 22 Chinese and overseas universities, it plays a key role in cultivating top interdisciplinary talents. The Pilot Zone will continue to deepen global collaborations and foster an ecosystem of resilience for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and current Shuhsi Hsü Chair Professor at Yenching Academy, delivered a video address. According to Mr. Raffarin, the world’s future leaders must be capable of holistic, multicultural thinking that encompasses political, economic, and development-related issues. They must combine a broad vision for the future with the capacity to act decisively. He expressed hope that the young scholars attending the Symposium would develop these qualities and become the next generation of leaders who work for peace, their nations, and the world.
Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, also shared his reflections via video. He discussed global resilience, sustainable development, and the co-existence of humanity and nature. Mr. Chatterjee believed that in the intensifying climate crisis and rising geopolitical tensions, the future of the world is shaped by what we are doing today. He defined resilience as thriving amidst adversity, preparing for crises, mitigating risks, and ensuring that technological innovation serves humanity. He called for a restoration of trust in international cooperation and noted that challenges like the climate crisis can be addressed through cross-cultural exchange and green financial innovation. With these efforts, the “giant vessel” of human development can remain steady and move toward a brighter future. More than ever, he said, we need mutual trust and collaboration—and urged students at YGS to transform challenges into opportunities for innovation and cooperation.
Dean Dong Qiang reflected on the past achievements of YGS. In 2022, panels were held entirely online due to the pandemic, yet participation remained enthusiastic, affirming YGS as a vital platform for global youth dialogue. Dean Dong thanked the Pilot Zone for its support, noting its strategic location within the Hainan Free Trade Port and its role in promoting international cooperation in education. He also drew parallels between the YGS mission and the "Think Asia Forum" he had recently attended in Singapore, where he had a meaningful conversation with the renowned overseas-Chinese scholar Wang Gungwu. Topics discussed at the forum (such as global order, ecology, artificial intelligence, and cultural export) echo the themes of YGS 2025. Dean Dong expressed confidence that through these discussions, today’s youth will demonstrate the perseverance and resilience needed to help shape a global order based on equity and mutual benefit. He concluded by thanking all guests and the Executive Committee for their outstanding work and expressed hope for fruitful discussions.
H.E. Djoomart Otorbaev, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, delivered the keynote address. He stressed the urgent need for genuine global leadership and called on the talented young delegates to take responsibility for shaping the future of humanity. During his first visit to Yenching Academy last winter, H.E. Otorbaev had been introduced to the Academy’s programs and YGS. He praised the Symposium as an important innovation in global educational exchange and was deeply impressed by the Pilot Zone’s forward-looking approach to international education. In his keynote, H.E. Otorbaev reflected on China–Kyrgyzstan relations and China’s growing role in global affairs. He described the bilateral relationship as vital and expressed admiration for China’s rapid technological and economic progress. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in basic research and attracting global talent, and encouraged delegates to engage deeply, share insights, and eventually take on leadership roles in building a more just and equitable world.
The opening ceremony was also attended by a number of distinguished guests, including:
· Zhanyl Galieva, spouse of H.E. Djoomart Otorbaev, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
· Tong Shijun, Chancellor of NYU Shanghai
· Huang Dizhong, Vice Chairman & Secretary General of China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF)
· Cheng Changqing, Former Chairperson of Societe Generale China
· Scott MacEachern, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Duke Kunshan University
· Lü Xunbo, Deputy Director of the Talent Development Bureau of Hainan Provincial Committee of the CPC
· Wang Xuehao, Deputy Director of Hainan Provincial Department of Business Environment Development
· Xu Wei, Vice Chairman of Hainan Association for Science and Technology
· Zhuo Ling, Deputy Director of Hainan Provincial Bureau of Statistics
· Wu Qijie, Deputy Director of Hainan Library
· Fan Shiming, Associate Dean of Yenching Academy
· Brent Haas, Associate Dean of Yenching Academy
· Lu Yang, Director of Graduate Studies of Yenching Academy
Also in attendance were leaders from key provincial departments in Hainan, heads of resident university campuses within the Pilot Zone, representatives from companies based in the Pilot Zone, and senior administrators from universities across the province.
