On March 7, RUC Vice President Zheng Xinye met with visiting Susan Shirk, Honorary Director of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego.

Zheng Xinye stated that there is ample room for collaboration between RUC and UC San Diego in expanding youth exchanges between China and the United States, enhancing academic dialogue, and promoting cooperation in the humanities and social sciences. Looking ahead, RUC will actively respond to President Xi Jinping’s initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to China for exchange and study over the next five years. The university sincerely invites scholars and students from UC San Diego to participate in exchange programs such as the “Qiushi Scholars” project, engage in field research and academic programs, and join in dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation on issues of mutual concern—including poverty reduction, gender equality, ethnic equality, and sustainable development.

Susan Shirk emphasized that in the current climate, strengthening educational exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States is particularly important. She expressed hope that joint research collaborations between the two universities’ scholars will serve as a starting point for broader dialogue between the Chinese and American academic communities. She also welcomed RUC scholars and students to visit the 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego, thereby fostering further academic cooperation between the institutions.

Representatives from RUC’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the School of Ecology and Environment, and the School of International Relations attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Susan Shirk held separate discussions with representatives from the School of Ecology and Environment and the School of International Relations to explore next steps for collaboration in specific fields.