Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djurić is scheduled to pay an official visit to China from December 19 to 21. The visit is at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. Chinese expert believed that the visit is expected to further solidify ties and explore new areas of common interest.
In his X post on Thursday, Djurić wrote that "At the start of my visit to the People's Republic of China, I was pleased to reconnect with Ms. Chen Bo, President of the China Institute of International Studies and former Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, whose invaluable contributions have greatly advanced our bilateral relations."
Speaking at a regular press conference on Monday on Djurić's visit to China, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said that Serbia is China's ironclad friend.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Aleksandar Vučić, bilateral relations have realized leapfrog growth and historic achievements. Cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, energy, cultural and people-to-people exchange, and education continues to expand, and bilateral relations have been deepened and upgraded, the spokesperson said.
Through this visit, China stands ready to work with Serbia to consolidate their ironclad friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, Lin noted.
With the Serbian Foreign Minister's visit, it is anticipated that cooperation between the two countries in various fields will further deepen. Collaboration in emerging areas such as technology, environmental protection, and culture will also inject new momentum into the friendship between China and Serbia, said Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China.
Wang Yiwei told the Global Times that for Serbia, seeking China's assistance in security matters is crucial in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the struggle against a "color revolution."
Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict altering the landscape in Europe, and with an upcoming new US administration, Serbia still aims to maintain its own balance in its diplomacy during this period. As a result, China has become a focal point of its foreign policy, leading to an increased need for coordination and communication with Beijing, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.
President Xi visited Serbia in May this year, and was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his wife, Tamara Vucic, at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, according to Xinhua News Agency.
During the visit, Xi and Vučić signed a joint statement on the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, an upgrade of relations from the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2016. The deal makes Serbia the first European country to build such a community with China, the Xinhua report said.
On October 17, 2023, President Xi met at the Great Hall of the People with Serbian President Vučić who was in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Vučić said he has led a large government delegation to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which has demonstrated Serbia's respect and friendship for China and the importance Serbia attaches to China. Vučić noted that the Serbia-China relationship has withstood various tests, Xinhua reported.
The Chinese side stands ready to follow the guidance of the consensus reached by top leaders of both parties and countries, deepen practical cooperation with the Vietnamese side in various areas including maritime security, enhance strategic mutual trust between both militaries, promote constant development of bilateral relations and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said when meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam in Hanoi on Thursday.
China also cherishes the traditional friendship between the two parties, the two countries and the two militaries, according to China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday.
Lam welcomed Dong's participation in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, saying that Vietnam and China are socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Lam said Vietnam cherishes China's valuable support in the cause of national liberation, national independence and socialist construction in Vietnam, and takes developing friendly relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy.
Lam expressed the hope that the two militaries will strengthen practical cooperation and inject new vitality to the development of bilateral relations, as reported by Xinhua.
Dong noted that China and Vietnam have entered a new era of building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
On Friday, Dong and his delegation attended a grand gathering marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, according to the report.
Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards have made positive comments on the cooperation achievement in 2024, discussed and determined the future cooperation direction and specific projects, and fully exchanged views on topics of common interest during the eighth high-level work meeting between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard in Hanoi, Vietnam from December 16-21, according to China Military Online.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation, jointly crack down on illegal and criminal activities, properly handle emergencies, maintain security and stability, and work together to set a model for regional maritime law enforcement cooperation.
A source familiar with the matter told the Global Times on Sunday that the two sides also agreed to enhance information exchange in combating maritime drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, and other criminal activities, and regularly carry out synchronized law enforcement actions in the Beibu Gulf region.
In addition, both sides vowed to strengthen mutual support in multilateral circumstances, releasing the model effect of China-Vietnam maritime law enforcement cooperation in the South China Sea, according to the source.
Since the beginning of 2024, coast guards of the two countries have carried out exchanges at various levels and in different fields, maintained monthly updates on information about illegal fishing vessels, and exchanged letters at key points, effectively establishing China-Vietnam maritime law enforcement cooperation as a model for regional maritime law enforcement, the source revealed.
The two sides have agreed to make good use of the secondary contact window to enhance communication and coordination on issues such as the notification of illegal fishing vessels in the Beibu Gulf, drafting and implementing joint patrol plans, and initial response to maritime emergencies. They also plan to hold sea (sub)regional-level talks in 2025, the source told the Global Times.
Among the gifts exchanged by the Vietnamese side was a Vietnamese bronze drum, and among the gifts Chins gave in return was a Chinese knot, both representing traditional cultures, Global Times learned from the source.
Despite some differences between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea, both sides have managed to effectively control these differences in order to safeguard their shared interests. As a result, they have not allowed these conflicts to escalate. China-Vietnam exchanges and cooperation have become a model in this regard, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
In a notable contrast, the Philippines has chosen otherwise and not cooperated with China to jointly maintain maritime security in the South China Sea. Instead, Manila has sought to involve external forces, particularly the US, especially around Huangyan Dao, which has contributed to tensions in the region and to a setback in China-Philippines relations, Gu said.
According to China Military Online, after the work meeting, the CCG delegation visited the Fisheries Supervision Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam for talks. Both sides reviewed and evaluated the use of the emergency hotline, and had in-depth exchanges on issues such as establishing institutional cooperation and handling maritime fishery emergencies.
All participating delegations were invited to pay a courtesy call to the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and visit the second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition. The CCG delegation also visited and paid tribute to Chinese martyrs of the Vietnam War at a cemetery in Gia Lam, Hanoi.
The delegation of the CCG also attended the second "Vietnam Coast Guard and Friends" exchange activity, and held talks with the Cambodian National Committee of Maritime Security, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Indonesian Coast Guard, and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center. They held in-depth discussions on addressing non-traditional security issues in the maritime domain, handling maritime emergencies, and exchanged views on such topics of concern as establishing a cooperation mechanism, managing differences, enhancing mutual trust and jointly promoting security and stability in the South China Sea.
China and most Southeast Asian countries hope to effectively manage differences on the South China Sea issue. They aim to prevent these differences from escalating and affecting the peace and stability of the South China Sea and the surrounding region. This reflects the consensus reached between China and ASEAN on this matter, Gu noted.
How does development promote progress in human rights? Over the past two weeks, commissioners and experts from the Global South and the United Nations sought answers through discussions, site visits and dialogue meetings in Beijing and East China's Zhejiang Province.
The Hernán Santa Cruz Dialogue on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) brought together ministerial and department-level officials from nearly 50 countries and regional organizations, including the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Yemen, as well as UN experts and officials from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Participants from abroad engaged in discussions on economic, social and cultural rights in Beijing, before they toured several locations in Zhejiang.
The event was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"It is important to adhere to a people-centered approach, step up efforts on the ESCR and focus on addressing uneven development. It is also important to strengthen solidarity and coordination, and increase the support to developing countries from developed countries to make sure that no one is left behind," Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, noted in a written address at the opening ceremony of the dialogue, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Comprehensive development
The three-and-a-half-day trip to Zhejiang left a profound impression on the visiting participants.
Located in East China's coastal region, Zhejiang is one of the most economically developed provinces in China, renowned for its advanced manufacturing and commodity trade. In 2023, the province's GDP totaled 8.26 trillion yuan ($1.13 trillion), with a per capita GDP of 125,043 yuan, according to a report released by Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Statistics in September 2024.
Zhejiang has also been a pioneer of China's reform and opening-up. The province has successfully transitioned from a traditional industrialized economy to a modern, service-oriented, innovation-driven, digital economy.
During their first stop in Zhejiang, the participants visited China's e-commerce giant Alibaba's headquarters in Hangzhou, where they witnessed the dynamism of China's e-commerce sector. They observed real-time orders from across the country and reviewed the outcomes of the recent Double 11 Shopping Festival.
The group also explored how the e-commerce model supports the sales of rural products and contributes to charity, fostering social welfare initiatives.
In Yucun, a village in Anji county where the concept "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was first proposed, the participants learned how ecological improvements have benefited local residents, becoming a backbone of economic development. Once plagued by environmental degradation due to mining, the village is now picturesque and attracts a stream of tourists. In 2023, Yucun recorded a total village collective economic income of 22.47 million yuan and a per capita income of 71,000 yuan.
Amid the scenic mountains and rivers, participants eagerly pulled out their phones to capture memorable moments.
Aslan Abashidze, a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, said that Zhejiang's success exemplifies "how a strong economic foundation contributes to people's happiness and well-being."
Abashidze highlighted China's ability to turn theoretical discussions at the international legal level into practical realities. "What I have seen here serves as an excellent example for other countries, especially those from the Global South, demonstrating how to implement ideas discussed at platforms like the United Nations," he told the Global Times.
He also praised China's Belt and Road Initiative, calling it a transformative action plan that promotes mutual benefits and development. "China's approach to fostering international cooperation sets a high standard," he said.
By the people, for the people
In addition to economic development, China's grassroots governance and the inheritance of traditional cultural values also gave participants much to ponder.
They visited the Fengqiao community in Shaoxing, the birthplace of the Fengqiao model.
Standing amid the beautiful Jiangnan traditional pavilions and bridges over flowing water, the exhibition hall in Fengqiao community provides a detailed introduction to the origins of the Fengqiao model and its development in the New Era.
Created by people in Fengqiao, a small town in Zhejiang, some 60 years ago, the "Fengqiao model" gained recognition for promoting the resolution of disputes by people at the community level. It has since been promoted across the country.
Emmanuel Nweke, Minister Counsellor on Drugs, Crime and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, shared his observations with the Global Times. "In Nigeria, conflict resolution at the community level is less common these days, as modern systems often require turning to the police or courts, which sometimes fail to restore peace," he said. "When disputes are resolved within the community, the outcomes tend to be more lasting."
He emphasized the challenges faced by developing countries, where "the priority often shifts to development over civil and political rights, as poverty and underdevelopment leave many unable to meet basic needs."
Zineb Ouaaba, Studies Officer at the Interministerial Human Rights Department in Morocco, expressed interest in the Fengqiao model's development and its influence across other parts of China.
"The exhibition guided us through a social justice model grounded in community practices and the values of local people," she told the Global Times. "It ensures that everyone becomes an actor, not merely a participant. I am not just a recipient of services," she said.
The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," is held in Beijing on Saturday. Experts and scholars engaged in discussions on the topic, "Exploring the path of great power relations: differences and consensus." Huang Jing, a distinguished professor at Shanghai International Studies University, said that among the current four major world powers - China, the US, India and Russia - China, India and Russia all belong to the Global South, and are also members of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, this marks the most fundamental structural change in international landscape since the Industrial Revolution.
Huang said in this irreversible shift in the international landscape, "a just cause attracts much support, an unjust one finds little." This "just cause" refers to peaceful and stable development, which is the shared goal of the vast majority of countries and a global trend. In international affairs and major power relations, China has made the maintenance of peace and the promotion of development its primary responsibility as a major power. As a result, China's responsibility and achievements will receive positive responses and support.
Regarding the current international order, Huang outlined three fundamental pillars: The first is the international political order centered around the United Nations; The second is the global economic and trade order framed by the World Trade Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership; The third is the international financial order supported by institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. The common feature of these three pillars is their foundation in multilateral mechanisms, created collectively by all, rather than dominated by any single major power. For this reason, China firmly upholds multilateralism in international affairs, and advocates for global governance based on multilateral mechanisms.
One day after the impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed, the ruling party of South Korea is striving to stabilize domestic politics while the government is making efforts to minimize the diplomatic implication caused by the martial law turmoil.
South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo met with the speaker of the National Assembly on Sunday, a day after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed bid to impose martial law on December 3. Speaker Woo Won-shik urged Han for the government and the parliament to work together to overcome the political turmoil after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Han said the government will make all of its decisions based on the Constitution, the law and the future of the country, and vowed a "swift" resolution of the current situation, according to his office.
On the same day, South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said he would actively communicate with the National Assembly to help calm financial markets and maintain economic stability. Choi made the remarks during a meeting with economy-related ministers earlier in the day.
Local media also reported Sunday, Korean prosecutors said President Yoon did not comply with their summons for Sunday and added they will soon issue another order.
Diplomatic efforts
As domestic political turmoil continues to evolve, Seoul is also making efforts to address its diplomatic disturbance triggered by Yoon's short-lived martial law, including reaffirming alliance with the US and ties with China, in an effort to stabilize its most significant diplomatic framework.
Acting President Han reportedly held phone talks with US President Joe Biden on Sunday and vowed to maintain and develop the two countries' alliances. During the 16-minute phone conversation, it is reported that Biden said that he will continue to work together with the South Korean side for the development and strengthening of the South Korea-US alliance and South Korea-US-Japan cooperation.
Lü Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said the phone call with Biden was an attempt by the acting president to test and gauge the state of US-South Korea relations following the domestic political chaos, especially after Yoon declared the martial law without informing its most significant ally in advance, which created challenges to ties.
The current political turmoil has certainly shaken the country's confidence and ability to cope with external uncertainties in the near term, Zhan Debin, the director and professor of the Center for Korean Peninsula Studies at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times.
Immediately following the impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed on Saturday, Seoul's senior diplomats held high-level talks with envoys of the US, Japan and China to explain South Korea's domestic political development, including the passage of the impeachment motion against Yoon, and highlighted Seoul's resolve to sustain diplomatic momentum and strengthen ties with key partners, South Korean media reported on Saturday.
Yonhap reported on Saturday that Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won met with Fang Kun, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul and assured that Seoul will continue to work toward enhancing the strategic cooperative partnership with Beijing. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and work together to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Relations between China and South Korea experienced drastic downfall since Yoon took office, and the key reason is that he has made provocative statements on the Taiwan question which has seriously challenged China's red line. But after that, Yoon also attempted to fix the ties with China as he realized that it's bad for his country to have a worsening relationship with a major power and key trading partner in the region, experts said.
Amid the impeachment crisis, Yoon in his televised address on Thursday referred to China offensively several times, including claiming that "Chinese solar power facilities will destroy forests nationwide." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the comments "deeply upsetting." Later on Friday, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs made comments stating that South Korea will continue to develop bilateral relations with China and maintain necessary communication despite recent domestic developments following Yoon's comments on China.
Lü noted that "The political situation in South Korea is currently in a critical period, and the fact that emerges in this moment is that, for South Korea, the relationships with both the United States and China are both crucial and need to be carefully managed, and this is a political reality that any politician who takes power in South Korea must recognize."
The reason why the South Korean government pressingly made explanation to China is that South Korea attaches great importance to its ties with China. South Korean officials who are in charge now don't want Yoon's recent inappropriate remarks about China to have a negative impact and further damage on the bilateral relations, the expert said.
After the impeachment
Yoon was suspended from his presidential duties on Saturday as his office received the impeachment declaration following its passage at the national assembly, Yonhap reported on Saturday.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), on Sunday called for the Constitutional Court to take "swift" steps for Yoon's dismissal, saying it is the only way to "minimize the country's chaos." The court has 180 days to decide whether to approve the parliament's decision that will either remove Yoon from office or have him reinstated, Yonhap reported.
Lee also proposed forming a consultative body between the parliament and the government to stabilize state affairs, while saying he would not take steps for the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The People Power Party (PPP), however, rejected Lee's proposal, noting it remains the ruling party.
The political battle between the ruling and opposition parties in South Korea remains unresolved, with Lee Jae-myung pressing forward, aiming for a swift resolution to the impeachment case and an early election, while the internal divisions within the ruling People Power Party are becoming apparent, potentially impacting Han's acting presidency and Han Dong-hoon's leadership of the party.
Meanwhile, various speculations surrounding the motivation behind Yoon's declaration of martial law continue to emerge.
The Korea Herald reported on Saturday that Kim Ou-joon, who was a popular host of the News Factory radio show at Seoul city-owned Traffic Broadcasting System and now hosts a YouTube show, claimed that -- based on the information at hand that had yet to be fact-checked -- the troops had attempted to assassinate ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon. He also claimed that the plot included attacking and killing US troops and placing the blame on North Korea, he claimed.
The ruling People Power Party and the government, however, denied Kim Ou-joon's claim.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China's diplomacy in 2024 had created a sound external environment for China's high-quality development and injected valuable stability into a volatile world.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shared five highlights of China's diplomacy over the past year when addressing a symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2024.
He said first, China's head-of-state diplomacy had written a magnificent new chapter and led the trend of the times for peace, development and win-win cooperation.
Second, new breakthroughs have been made in building a community with a shared future for humanity and promoting global solidarity.
Third, Chinese modernization provides new opportunities for the world and promotes the development trend of modernization in other countries.
Fourth, it has set a new example in cooperation with other developing countries and built on the trend of unity in the Global South.
Fifth, new progress has been made in deepening the comprehensive diplomatic agenda and strengthening the trend of building a new type of international relations.
China and India held the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC) on Thursday in New Delhi, and the two sides agreed to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, and safeguard sustainable peace and stability in the border areas, according to a release from Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Liang and Shri Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) of India's Ministry of External Affairs, co-chaired the 32nd meeting. Representatives from the foreign affairs, defense, interior, and immigration departments of both countries participated.
Both sides positively assessed the solutions reached on border-related issues and agreed to continue implementing them comprehensively and effectively, while taking measures to further ease the border situation. Following the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, the meeting focused on preparations for the next round of special representatives' talks on the China-India border issue, said the release.
The two sides also agreed to continue leveraging the role of the border negotiation mechanism, maintaining communication through diplomatic and military channels, and safeguarding sustainable peace and stability in the border areas, according to the release.
The Thursday WMCC meeting is the first working-level meeting between China and India publicly reported following the leaders' meeting in Kazan. The main purpose may be to assess the implementation of agreements and lay the groundwork for the resumption of the China-India special representatives dialogue mechanism, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Friday.
The meeting may further strengthen the role of the WMCC in jointly maintaining peace and stability along China-India border areas, exploring peaceful solutions, and fostering an environment that facilitates the swift return of bilateral relations to a stable and healthy trajectory, said Qian.
As various levels of meeting mechanisms, communication dialogues, and cooperation continue to develop, issues such as visas, direct flights, and cultural exchanges, which are key barriers to the healthy growth of bilateral relations, may be raised in the dialogues, said Qian, noting that the positive atmosphere fostered by the China-India leaders' meeting in Kazan has played a crucial role in addressing the negative factors affecting the two countries' economic and trade relations.
However, the issue won't be resolved immediately, and building mutual trust is a gradual process. Both sides should be working toward each other to promote bilateral ties, said Qian.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for further synergy of development strategies and enhanced cooperation.
Commending the remarkable achievements Singapore made during Lee's tenure as prime minister, Xi spoke highly of Lee's long-term support for China-Singapore cooperation. The two sides established an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership last year, setting a strategic course for the development of bilateral ties, Xi said.
Noting that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in various fields, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace and prosperity.
Chinese President Xi Jinping often quotes an ancient saying on many diplomatic occasions: "No mountain or ocean can separate those who share the same aspirations." This powerful message underscores the undeniable force of friendship and cooperation in bridging hearts across nations, cultures, and civilizations. Inspired by President Xi's vision, people-to-people exchanges between China and the world have been flourishing.
People from diverse backgrounds and fields - united by common goals and dreams - traverse mountains and oceans to connect with each other. Through letters, face-to-face dialogues and vibrant cultural events, they are collectively weaving a magnificent tapestry of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The Global Times presents "Intertwined Destinies, Shared Paths," a series spotlighting the touching stories written by these "friendship ambassadors." They are scholars pushing the boundaries of research, diplomats advocating for deeper cooperation on the global stage, artists igniting imaginations with their creations and ordinary people extending heartfelt love beyond national borders driven by genuine sincerity.
Their tales illuminate the spark of cultural exchange, the driving force of technological innovation, the bountiful harvest of economic cooperation and the enduring warmth of human connection - all contributing to a more peaceful, prosperous and open world. This is the first installment of the series.
When Chinese scholar Li Xiuzhen first saw the Rhine River while studying in the Netherlands in 1996, she was deeply impressed by the river's crystal-clear waters, similar to that of China's Yangtze River. Although Li had never seen the Rhine before, this famous European river made the then young woman, who later became a well-known expert in wetland ecology, feel so close.
Two years later, Dutch scholar Huib de Vriend encountered the Yangtze River for the first time in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, during his trip to China in 1998. "It was so vast," he recalled to the Global Times on his first impression of the river, known as the mother river of China, with its wide expanse of water stretching as far as the eye could see.
At that time, neither Li nor de Vriend knew that their respective institutions - East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in western Netherlands' Delft city - would engage in over 20 years of continuous collaboration focused on major rivers and delta regions like the Yangtze and the Rhine, being a vivid example of people-to-people exchange between China and Europe in the academic field.
Now old friends, Li and de Vriend met again at an academic forum in mid-November. Themed "Yangtze-Rhine-Danube Regional Dialogue," the forum brought together more than 100 global government officials, scholars and industry veterans, who shared their insights on topics including river improvement, environmental protection, the relationship between rivers and human society, and grass-roots exchanges based on rivers and deltas.
Dialogues on rivers from different regions is of great significance today, said Li, now deputy director of the Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Research at ECNU.
"Rivers nurture civilization and promote communication, diminishing the constraints of geopolitics," she told the Global Times. "Our academic exchanges based on rivers are an important part of grass-roots diplomacy."
Similarities and differences
Co-hosted by ECNU and Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC), the forum held in Shanghai on November 21 explored the cultural exchanges and sustainable development cooperation mechanisms among the Yangtze River, Rhine River, and Danube River basins, promoting win-win development and fostering China-Europe friendship, said Chen Jing, president of SPAFFC.
Many guests at the forum told the Global Times that there are numerous similarities and differences among these three rivers. It is these similarities and differences that provide value for mutual learning and motivation for cooperation among the involved countries, they said.
As a keynote speaker who provided a detailed introduction to the situation of the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt and their delta, de Vriend said the most obvious similarity between the Yangtze River and the Rhine River is that they are economic chains connecting particularly important economic areas. "Here in China is the case; and also, northwest Europe is the most important economic area there, thanks to the Rhine," he said.
Another major similarity is that both the Yangtze River and the Rhine River carry a lot of sediment, which can be used to build up land or to ensure that the river remains stable, de Vriend said. "So there are a lot of things in common between these rivers, but there are also differences," he told the Global Times, noting that "differences are driving the collaboration."
The flow rate and number of dams on the Yangtze River far exceed those of the Rhine, making mutual learning particularly appealing, he said. "It's not only that we bring knowledge here, but we also get something back.''
Echoing de Vriend, Li said that academic cooperation between China and Europe in the field of rivers is a process of mutual learning. She said the Netherlands is ahead of China in its pollution remediation of the Rhine River, and its efforts in returning farmland to wetlands, which have offered many valuable experiences to learn from.
On the other hand, China is enlightening in its efficient implementation of certain central government-led policies, such as the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River. "Similar policies would be very difficult to implement in Europe, due to the competing interests among different river basin countries," he said.
Iulian Nichersu from Romania-based Danue Delta National Institute for Research and Development, another keynote speaker at the forum, said this was his first visit to China. He plans to visit the Yangtze River Delta, a part which is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) listed heritage.
Speaking of the possible areas for enhanced cooperation between China and Romania in the study of rivers, Nichersu highlighted nature preservation and wetland management as key areas for deeper collaboration. He mentioned that there have been some cooperative programs for ecological restoration between Chinese and Romanian institutions, which are important aspects of wetland management.
"They can serve as a way for information and knowledge exchange between these two systems," he told the Global Times. Long-term academic cooperation
The forum was held as part of a series of international meetings under the "Mega-Delta Programme." The program was one of the inaugural 65 Decade Actions endorsed by the "United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)," making Chinese mainland's sole inclusion.
Initiated by the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research at ECNU, the "Mega-Delta Programme" aims to address distinctive challenges encountered by estuarine deltas across varied regions, typologies, and developmental stages amid global transformations. He Qing, director of the laboratory, believes that the fact that the program was selected demonstrates the essential role of rivers in facilitating cultural exchange.
"The development of human civilization is closely linked to rivers. Historically, the four major cradles of civilization all emerged around great rivers," she told the Global Times.
"Moreover, this program embodies the idea that, the UN needs scientists like us to take on a social responsibility to jointly preserve and protect our river ecosystems and civilizations," she added.
In 2023, ECNU and SPAFFC co-hosted the Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Forum, focusing on dialogue between the two major rivers of China and the US. He said they plan to regularly hold such similar academic forums, which will include more of the world's great rivers, such as the Mekong and the Amazon, to further promote dialogue and cooperation among more regions globally.
Over the past few decades, Chinese scholars have maintained close exchanges with their global peers in the field of river studies under supported of the government. The cooperation between ECNU and TU Delft, for instance, has involved long-term collaborative projects since 2002, under a strategic cooperation framework signed by the Chinese and Dutch governments, according to He.
With the help of these collaborative projects, many ECNU faculty and students in river studies have traveled to the Netherlands multiple times over the two decades, either for short visits or to pursue an 18-month graduate program at TU Delft. "As for myself, I've been to the Netherlands at least 30 times in the past 20 years, and I even know well the cashiers at the supermarket near TU Delft," He said.
De Vriend is a frequent visitor at Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Research of ECNU. In addition to teaching, he supervises some doctoral students and occasionally offers management advice.
Close academic exchanges are especially valuable in the current complex international landscape. De Vriend mentioned that now in his country, there sometimes may be "a bit of stress" regarding collaboration with China. "But I think in our field, there's no reason to have stress, and we can be relaxed about exchanging information and insights," he told the Global Times.
Broader exchanges
2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU).
"As two major global powers, markets, and civilizations, the China-EU relationship is vital for the well-being of both sides and for global stability and prosperity," said Hao Zhongwei, director-general of Department of European and Asian Affairs of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), in a speech delivered at the forum's opening ceremony on November 21.
In addition to academic exchanges, the forum also featured a panel discussion on the broader topic of "Mechanisms of Collaboration between River Basins." During this session, representatives from various governments, companies, and civil friendship organizations shared their views on how to further expand people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe in various fields.
Nagy Judit Éva, president of Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association, was a guest at this session. She mentioned that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, and both countries have organized a series of activities, from government to grass-roots levels, to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. "Chinese culture is getting closer to Hungarian people, and in Hungary, learning the Chinese language is getting more and more popular." she told the Global Times.
Luoding Lammel-Rath, chairperson of the German-Chinese Friendship Association, shared her observations on cooperation between China and Europe regarding rivers during this session, covering areas such as trade, navigation, flood warning, environmental and climate protection, as well as cultural and tourism exchanges.
Before the forum began, Lammel-Rath shared in a brief interview with the Global Times about a German festival called Mainfest. Mainfest is a celebration held in riverside cities like Frankfurt, originally derived from a fishing festival created by fishermen and captains to pay tribute to the rivers. Like China's Dragon Boat Festival, it is a traditional holiday related to rivers.
Germany and China, as well as their peoples, are very similar, both hard-working and diligent, said Lammel-Rath. "Rivers provide a great opportunity for both sides to learn about each other," she said. "Under this theme, there will be more development around people-to-people diplomatic relationships. That's the future."
