The City University of Macau (CityU Macau) held the Inaugural Lecture of Charhar Diplomatic Lecture Series on 17 November 2021 at the Taipa campus. CityU Macau is honoured to have Mr Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, as our guest speaker to deliver the lecture themed at "Implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and Build A Community with A Shared Future for Mankind". The lecture was broadcast live outside the auditorium, which attracted over 500 CityUers to join.

The lecture presented the core philosophy of President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, in international relations. Guests attended the event included: Mr Han Fangming, Chairman of the Charhar Institute and Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr Lao Ngai Leong, Chairman of the City University of Macau Foundation Trust Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Macau and Portuguese-Speaking Countries of the Charhar Institute; Mr Chan Meng Kam, Chairman of the University Council; Mr Yan Zexian, Vice Chairman of the University Council; Prof Jun Liu, Rector of the CityU Macau; Prof Kong Fanqing and Prof Zhou Wanlei, both a Vice Rector of the CityU Macau; Mr Li Yongxian, Director of the University Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr Carlos Roberto Xavier, Head of Department of Tertiary Education of the Macao SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau; Mr Eduardo Velasco Galiano, Consul-General of the Republic of Angola in the Macao SAR; Mr Maria Angelica C. Genotiva, Philippine Consul-General in the Macao SAR; Mr Sun Enguang and Mr Li Xiangyu, both an Executive Chairman of the Committee on Macau and Portuguese-Speaking Countries of the Charhar Institute; Mr Ma Zhida, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Macau and Portuguese-Speaking Countries of the Charhar Institute; Mr Wang Bincheng and Mr Xing Rongfa, both a senior researcher of Charhar Institute.

Rector Jun Liu, warmly welcomed Commissioner Liu Xianfa in his opening address. He said that the “City University of Macau-Charhar Center” was inaugurated in July 2021, aiming to launch joint research projects, organise academic conferences and seminars and publish academic journals. The Center will launch a great variety of academic research and practical activities in public and foreign policy, centring around public diplomacy towards Portuguese-speaking countries and East Asian countries. The City University of Macau-Charhar Center is committed to becoming an influential think tank in public diplomacy, in line with three core positionings, “one centre, one platform, one base”, of the Macao SAR, and serving the medium- and long-term development goal of the University.

Meanwhile, Rector Liu said that the City University of Macau-Charhar Center is committed to providing training and offering students abundant learning resources. He hoped that the Charhar Diplomatic Lecture Series could help students deepen their understandings of public diplomacy and foreign relations and inspire insights in viewing foreign affairs.

Commissioner Mr Liu referred to the book “An outline for studying Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy” to elaborate on the lecture’s theme. He said that Macao is a city that blends Chinese and Western cultures and will play a significant and unique role in the Belt and Road initiatives to build a community with a shared future for all human beings.

Commissioner Mr Liu acknowledged the endeavours made by CityU Macau over the past years. He said that CityU Macau is a leading university with strong academic competence and global vision rooting in the city; it adheres to the core value of the patriotic philosophy “Loving the country, Loving Macao” to actively engage and support China’s diplomacy and seizes the development opportunity brought the era and play its role in serving the cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. Commissioner Mr Liu is looking forward to the collaboration between CityU Macau and the Charhar Institute and its contribution to implementing President Xi Jinping’s thoughts on diplomacy and building a community with a shared future for humankind.

Commissioner Mr Liu urged all CityUers to understand Macao’s role in national development and diplomacy, study more about China’s diplomacy, strengthen the sense of belonging to the nation and broaden global visions. He encouraged students to take root in Macao, be backed by the motherland, face the world and strive for personal growth. By contributing wisdom and strengths, join hands with the nation to boldly advance toward the second centenary goal, the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

During the question-and-answer session, Commissioner Mr Liu patiently responded to the questions raised by the students, namely about Sino-US relations, the international bodies, and the story of how to become a good diplomat.

Commissioner Mr Liu delivered the book “An outline for studying Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy” to CityU Macau. He encouraged all CityUers to read thoroughly and study the diplomatic philosophy proposed by President Xi Jinping. The lecture was concluded in a cheerfully atmosphere.