On the morning of Feb 27th, Professor Tang Xiaosong, chief research fellow of GRIIS, and Dr. Song Haixiao, research fellow of GRIIS, were invited to the Research Forum of Ministry of Foreign Affairs held at the conference room of the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. The participants also include officials from Department of Policies and Regulations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, scholars and experts from Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangdong Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Administration of Ocean and Fisheries of Guangdong Province. The Department of Policies and Regulations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs make research and investigation in Guangdong, aiming at hearing the voice from scholars and experts. The main topics of the forum included how to make full use of the unique geographical advantages to strengthen the bond between China and the surrounding countries in politics, economy, security and humanity, how to connect the development strategy of coastal provinces with the national diplomatic strategy and how the latter serve the local development.
Professor Tang Xiaosong and Dr. Song Haixiao gave keynote speeches at the forum. Professor Tang analyzed the rebalance strategy the US adopted in the Asian-Pacific region and China’s action to strengthen the bond with Southeast Asian countries. He thought the Southeast Asian countries was trying to achieve a balance between the safety benefit by the US and the economic benefit by China. As a result, with China strengthening the trade connections as an important measure, coastal areas of China should also focus on infuse the ethics and values into trade and communication in order for an “enterprise public diplomacy”. Dr. Song Haixiao made a detailed explanation on the role of India in the Sino-American relation and its neutral nature in foreign affairs. These opinions were all approved by representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After the forum, scholars and experts communicated with the leaders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
