Peking University, Sept. 4, 2012: The opening ceremony of 2012 East-West Center/East-West Center Association International Conference was held at Peking University, Beijing on September 1. A group of scholars, officials, educators and business leaders from more than 20 areas all over Asia, the Pacific and the U.S. gathered at Peking University for an East-West Center international conference on the theme of "Community Building and Leadership in Asia Pacific."
The 3-day conference will feature more than 75 substantive presentations and panels on current regional topics, including international relations, economics, environment, education, arts and culture, health, and much more.
Li Yansong, vice president of PKU welcomed 300 guests from all over the world. He spoke highly of the relations between the two institutions over the past decades and hoped that both sides would enhance the mutual understanding of the two countries. “It is a unique opportunity and I believe we can expedite our development even though we are facing numerous challenges”, said Li.
Gary Locke, the United States Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China delivered a keynote speech at the ceremony. He pointed out that there were over 4,000 research specialists, graduate students and professionals in government, business, journalism and the arts have participated in the Center’s programs. Regarding to the relations between U.S. and Asia-Pacific region, especially China, he said that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have paid great attention to this area and would contribute to an open, stable, and just regional order, based on norms and institutions that benefit all nations and peoples. He noted, “The United States and China are already working together more than ever — in ways large and small — to expand our cooperation and address the global challenges we face”.
Rick Brian Tsujimura, chairman of the EWC board of governors, Zhang Xiuqin, director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education of China, and Gao Anming, China Daily’s deputy editor-in-chief also made speeches at the ceremony.
The conference is being jointly held by the East-West Center, an internationally recognized education and research institution headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the East-West Center Association, the organization that represents the Center’s more than 60,000 alumni throughout Asia, the Pacific and the U.S. — including several heads of state and numerous other government officials, as well as leaders of education, NGOs, media and business.
Background info:
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the U.S. government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.
Over fifty years of serving as a U.S.-based institution for public diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region with international governance, staffing, students, and participants, the Center has built a worldwide network of 57,000 alumni and more than 750 partner organizations.
The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is located midway between Asia and the U.S. mainland and features research, residential, and international conference facilities. The Center’s Washington, D.C., office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence.
Written by: Zhang Jiang
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
