On August 30th, the 2023 China-ASEAN Xishan Forum opened at the permanent site of the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW), themed "Youth Innovation Leading Global Development," with a focus on "Collaboration, Development, and Sharing: Technological Innovation in the Global Education Digital Transformation." Participants were education officials, experts, scholars, and young students from China, ASEAN countries, and other nations. The opening ceremony was chaired by Li Fei, Vice President of GZU.

Linghu Caitao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee, emphasized that higher education has been actively responding to the digital transformation in this era, which has had a tremendous impact on our productivity and production relations. Universities are striving to expand their basic research scope through technological innovation while working hard to achieve high-level technological self-reliance and nurture high-level talents for the nation and people. Linhu suggested that the Forum could engage the academic "circle of friends" to trigger technological innovation. She encouraged everyone to work diligently towards academic pursuit by questing the truth through inquiries and discussions. Additionally, she urged the audience to embrace the spirit of "active innovation, leading innovation" and make contributions towards a community of shared future for mankind while addressing the challenges faced by people.

Li Jian, Deputy Secretary of the Guizhou Provincial Communist Youth League Committee, noted that the CAECW has become the most symbolic channel for educational cooperation between the governmental sectors of China and ASEAN countries. Over the past 15 years, young people from both sides have actively engaged in fostering a closer China-ASEAN community of shared future through educational cooperation and cultural exchanges, thanks to the "Belt and Road" initiative. The comprehensive opening-up of Guizhou presents an opportunity to build profound international friendships and collective consensus on open cooperation, which can lead to desirable outcomes in research projects.

Li Yuan, Deputy Director-General of the Provincial Science and Technology Department, suggested that this occasion could serve as a catalyst for Guizhou to enhance exchanges and cooperation with various countries and regions. By doing so, Guizhou can create more cooperation highlights in technological innovation, generate new driving forces for economic and social development, and make significant contributions to promoting regional prosperity and building a closer community of shared future for mankind.

Wang Hui, Member of the CPC Committee of the Guizhou Provincial Education Department, Member of the Education Working Committee of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee, and Chairman of the Guizhou Provincial Education Union, presented three perspectives. First, to continue molding the Xishan Forum into a highlight project of the CAECW, which is expected to carry on for a long time, enhancing the function and appeal of the forum. Second, to create a high-end academic platform through the forum for graduate students to exchange their academic viewpoints by sharing thoughts and conducting dialogues between China and ASEAN countries. This includes discussing common areas of concern for graduate-level students' academic exchange programs across countries and regions. Third, to build the Forum into a platform that attracts graduate students for academic exchanges. This platform should prioritize the needs of China and ASEAN countries while remaining informed about the latest academic findings so that we can work together to address the difficulties and challenges we all face.

The forum highlights the significance of exploring the potential of a low-carbon economy and conducting research on realizing “dual carbon” targets and development new energy technologies. These efforts are crucial for China's transition from an extensive mode to a sustainable trend, aiming to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. To effectively implement plans such as the "Four New," "Four Modernizations," and "Two Regions Six Bases" in Guizhou Province, GZU has partnered with Zhejiang University to establish the "Guizhou Dual Carbon and New Energy Technology Innovation Development Institute." During the opening ceremony, Ye Gongyin, Member of the CPC Committee of Zhejiang University, and Linghu Caitao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee, signed the agreement for its establishment.

During the opening ceremony, Hadi Tjahjono, Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of ASEAN-China Center (ACC), and Minister Counselor; Tang Kaihan, a Ph.D. student at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore; and Li Ta, a GZU Ph.D. student delivered speeches online or offline. After the ceremony, keynote speeches were given on various topics including academic programs, graduate-level entrepreneurship programs, digital transformation, and the youth's innovative driving force. The speakers included Hao Xiaojiang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor of phytochemistry, natural product chemistry, and resources; Zhao Zhongxiu, academician of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and President of the University of International Business and Economics; Zhou Wanlei, Vice President of the University of Macau; and Li Fei, GZU Vice President.

After the opening ceremony, the Forum will hold six symposiums that cover a broad range of topics, including Life Sciences, Smart Agriculture and Intelligent Equipment, Green Pesticides, Cryptography and Data Security, Regional Studies, and Legal Professionals Development. Over 200 academic discussions will be presented by speakers with the goal of promoting extensive academic exchanges in fields such as humanities, science, and technology. The Forum also aims to inspire young talents to embrace the spirit of innovation, raise awareness of their responsibilities, and maintain ingenuity in contributing to human society while addressing the challenges of social development.

Editor: Pang Aizhong; Ning Yumei

Chief Editor: Li Xufeng

Senior Editor: Yang Nan

Translator: Li Xiaorong