The event took place on April 15 at the Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center, organized by the Chinese Association of Higher Education and jointly hosted by the Education Department of Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University, and Sinopharm Reed Exhibitions. Over 120 participants attended, including Chen Xingying, the full-time Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Li Jiajun, Vice President of the China Association of Higher Education, Xia Xianpeng, Chairman of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Revolutionary Committee, Wang Yun, Deputy Director of the Education Department of Fujian Province, Wang Changping, President of FNU, Chen Qinghua, Vice President of FNU, and leaders from Taiwan Shih Hsin University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Soochow University, City University of Macau, Huaqiao University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian Medical University, Jimei University, Minnan Normal University, and other provincial universities. Experts and scholars from both domestic and international circles, as well as representatives of faculty and students from Taiwan, were also in attendance. The event comprised an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, and themed presentations, with the opening ceremony chaired by Wang Changping and the keynote and themed presentations chaired by Chen Qinghua.
In her address, Chen Xingying stated that guests and representatives from both sides of the Strait had gathered in Fuzhou to discuss the deepening of theoretical and practical issues related to cross-strait integration. The discussions aimed to provide new ideas and measures for promoting cross-strait higher education exchanges and cooperation, offering significant academic value and practical significance. The Revolutionary Committee is committed to working with educational institutions across the Strait to build a platform for youth exchanges, continuously launching a series of cross-strait youth exchange programs. These efforts aim to promote peaceful and integrated development across the Strait, contributing to the early realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Li Jiajun highlighted the importance the Association places on the role of higher education in the integration and development between the two sides of the Strait. He emphasized the commitment to meticulously implement the strategies for cross-strait integrated development and expressed the hope that the leaders and experts present would strengthen cooperation and build consensus to collectively advance the integration of higher education across the Strait, aiming for a stable and far-reaching bright future.
During the keynote session, Wang Changping delivered a speech titled “Creating a Cross-Strait Educational and Cultural Exchange Highland, Writing a New Chapter in Integrated Development”. He reviewed and summarized FNU's efforts in leveraging its disciplinary, talent, and research strengths to promote cross-strait integration. These efforts were focused on three key areas: talent cultivation, research services, and cultural exchange, showcasing the responsibility of FNU. He stated that FNU would focus on the needs of integration, the expectations of Taiwanese compatriots, and its institutional capabilities. The university aims to align its “Double First-Class” initiative with the development of a cross-strait integration demonstration zone, transforming it into the preferred choice for high-quality education for Fujian's Taiwanese residents, a hub for cross-strait talent exchanges, a leader in the integration of industry and education, and a model for innovative development of cross-strait culture. Contributions to the integrated development of cross-strait higher education will be guided by what is known as the “Plan of Fujian Normal University”. Other speakers included Chen Qinghe, President of Taiwan Shih Hsin University, Xie Chaotian, President of Jimei University, Xie Yongcheng, former President of Taiwan University of Arts, Dong Baocheng, Vice President of Taiwan Soochow University, Ye Guiping, Vice President of City University of Macau, Zhou Shungui, Vice President of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Zhang Longhai, Vice President of Minnan Normal University, and Su Zizhong, Distinguished Professor at Taiwan Normal University. They respectively delivered keynote speeches titled “Innovation for Development, Integration for the Future”, “Building Consensus to Forge a Frontier in Cross-Strait Higher Education Integration”, “The History, Current State, and Future of Cross-Strait Higher Education Exchange and Cooperation”, “The Impact of Sino-US Relations on Cross-Strait Higher Education Exchange in the Context of Geopolitical Changes”, “The Development of Higher Education in Macau SAR and Its Integration with Cross-Strait Education”, “Exploring New Paths for Cross-Strait Educational Integration: Developing a Cross-Strait Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Area – Case Study of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University”, “Enhancing Teacher Education with Minnan Culture and Innovative Education to Train ‘Good Teachers with Four Virtues’”, and “An Overview of Bilingual Education in Taiwan”.
During the themed speech session, Vice President Li Gongqin of Taiwan Shih Hsin University, Director Yang Kaihuang of the Cross-Strait Research Center at Ming Chuan University, Director Hu Gen of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center at Macau University of Science and Technology, Dean Yang Yuxun of the College of Liberal Arts at National Chung Cheng University, Professor Dong Dehui of Taipei City University, Professor Li Liguo of the School of Education at Renmin University of China, Dean Zheng Xiangmin of Guanghua College at East China Normal University, Professor Zhang Baorong of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, and Dean Liu Hui of the Institute for Social Development and Educational Policy in the Greater Bay Area at Guangzhou University, respectively delivered speeches on “The Significance and Review of Cross-Strait Student Exchanges”, “The Changes in Universities Across the Strait in the Digital Age and Discussions on Integrated Development”, “New Trends in Higher Education Exchanges between Macau and the Cross-Strait”, “A Brief Discussion on Taiwan's Declining Birthrate and Cross-Strait Student Exchanges”, “The Current Situation and Challenges of Higher Education in Taiwan”, “The Logic of Higher Education Talent Cultivation Reform under the Integration of Educational Technology and Talent”, “Joint Cross-Strait Geosciences Internships: Collaboratively Cultivating Top Geographical Talents”, “From Knowledge Provision to Life Preparation: Re-understanding Taiwan's Higher Education from the Perspective of Young University Students”, and “Mutual Learning between Hong Kong and Taiwan: Building a Regional Hub for Higher Education – Necessity and Possibility”.
(Translated by Huang Rui)