Led by Chairman Han Fangming, the delegation of Charhar Institute, a renowned non-governmental and non-partisan think-tank focusing on foreign policy and international relations, visited the City University of Macau on 25 June 2021.  The delegation was welcomed by Dr Lao Ngai Leong, Vice-Chairman of the City University of Macau Foundation Trust Committee and Chairman of the Macau Committee of Charhar Institute, CityU Council Chairman Chan Meng Kam, Rector Jun Liu and accompanied by them on a tour on campus.  After in-depth exchange on issues such as research collaboration and founding of a new platform on public affairs and foreign policy, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement.

Vice-Chairman Lao Ngai Leong and Chairman Chan Meng Kam extended their warm welcome to the delegation led by Chairman Han Fangming and looked forward to greater cooperation and exchange in the future. Rector Jun Liu briefly talked about the development and future directions of CityU with particular emphasis on the progress and research achievements made by the Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking countries and Macau One Belt, One Road Research Center in recent years. Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng then provided more information on the progress CityU made in regional and individual research on Portuguese-speaking countries. CityU offers Master’s and PhD programs in studies of Portuguese-speaking countries and an undergraduate program in Portuguese language.  It has made complementary efforts with sister institutions on research on island Portuguese speaking countries, such as Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-Bissau and East Timor and on organizing international conferences.  Different types of high-end seminars have also been held and a number of experts from Charhar Institute have been invited to speak at CityU.  In addition, in cooperation with the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, training for bureau officials and leaders are conducted and research commissioned by the SAR government on important issues are undertaken.

Chairman Han Fangming said he was honored to visit CityU and talked about the history and current developments of Charhar Institute. Since its establishment in 2009, the Chahar Institute has developed rapidly and not only is it now a leading social think tank in Mainland in the areas of diplomacy and international relations, it is also world renowned.  The Institute has been ranked among the top international think tanks rankings for many consecutive years. The society has unique advantages in the areas of Korean Peninsula affairs, religious diplomacy, human rights and Tibet-related diplomacy.

After the exchange, witnessed by Vice President Lao Ngai Leong and Chairman Chan Meng Kam and leaders of Charhar Institute, Rector Jun Liu and Chairman Han Fangming signed a cooperation agreement.  The two parties hope that each will give full play to its advantages and form a joint research institution in the future. Charhar Institute will launch joint research projects, organize academic conferences and seminars and publish academic journals to launch a great variety of academic research and practical activities in public and foreign policy, centering around public diplomacy towards Portuguese-speaking countries and East Asian countries.

Also present at the event were Sun Enguang, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Executive Chairman of the Macau Committee of Charhar Institute, Li Xiangyu, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Executive Chairman of the Macau Committee of Charhar Institute, Chen Wuneng, Chief Legal Consultant of Charhar Institute, Wang Jiangyou, Deputy Secretary-General and Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Office of Charhar Institute, Liu Aping, Secretary-General of the Macau Committee of Charhar Institute, Sun Yaozong Deputy Secretary-General Macau Committee of Charhar Institute, Cintia Chan, CityU Pro-Rector and Che Ka I, Director of Rector’s Office, CityU.