The inaugural conference of the Guangdong Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) – Southeast Asia Think Tank Cooperation Alliance kicked off in Guangzhou on November 21 too boost mutual exchanges.
Organized by the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), the event witnessed the first batch of 22 renowned universities, research institutions, and think tanks from the GBA and seven ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, cambodia, and Laos.
During the first academic symposium at the conference, scholars and heads of the 22 listed units spoke on the occasion and made thier suggestions for fostering mutual understanding via the think tank alliance.
“The GBA and ASEAN have significant complementary industrial advantages, and deepening cooperation between the two sides presents enormous potential and opportunities,” noted Liu Zhiqiang, Dean of the Southeast Asian Studies Institute at GDUFS.
Liu detailed three priorities for his institute. First, it will continue to cultivate high-level talents proficient in Southeast Asian languages and cultures, and train high-level talent in Chinese and humanities for Southeast Asian countries.
Additionally, the institute will cultivate high-level talent in the fields of international law, global governance, and international communication.
Second, the institute will focus on Southeast Asian countries to publish a series of works related to China and Southeast Asia.
Third, it will continue to hold relevant think tank forums to provide intellectual references for cultural exchanges between China and Southeast Asia, solidifying the foundation for cultural exchanges and promoting country and area studies.