On December 25, 2024, an evaluation meeting for Peking University’s Belt and Road Graduate Summer International Field Research Project was held at the university’s Graduate School. Attendees included officials from the university’s graduate education and international cooperation departments, along with members of the research teams who conducted fieldwork in Brazil, Fiji/Samoa, and Indonesia/Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by Gao Ning, Vice Dean of the Graduate School.
During the meeting, Gao Ning summarized the scope and outcomes of the Belt and Road project, emphasizing the crucial role such initiatives play in fostering innovative thinking among graduate students. Over the course of 2024, teams consisting of 36 graduate students and 22 professors from 13 different faculties at Peking University conducted field research in Brazil, Fiji, Samoa, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The project facilitated connections with local governments, universities, media outlets, and Chinese enterprises in these countries, focusing on topics such as economic cooperation, technology transfer, and cultural exchange. Notably, activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil relations and fieldwork conducted within the framework of China-ASEAN collaboration contributed significantly to strengthening both academic and diplomatic ties.
Team leaders shared their experiences and findings during the field research. Professor Zhang Ying, leader of the Brazil team, highlighted the country’s unique significance in the context of China-Brazil relations. Professor Zhai Kun, leader of the Indonesia/Malaysia team, summarized the research outcomes across areas such as international relations, digital economy, and sustainable development. Professor Qin Xuezheng, leader of the Fiji/Samoa team, emphasized the important findings in green development and cultural interaction obtained through their studies in these small island nations. Participants noted that such projects reflect Peking University’s global vision and provide graduate students with unparalleled learning experiences.