Opening Ceremony
Time: 8:30 AM, Thursday, May 7, 2026
Location: Li Wen Tang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Opening Remarks by the Hosts
Hosts Zhong Haonan (a student from the School of Data Science and Shaw College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen) and Xue Run (a postgraduate student from the School of Humanities and Social Science and the Hao Ran College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen) kicked off the forum in both Chinese and English. Zhong Haonan stated: "In May, the city of Pengcheng is in full bloom; the tides surge in the Bay Area, gathering wisdom for the future." This forum, as one of the series of events for the "APEC China Year," is co-hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and the APEC Study Center of Nankai University, and co-organized by the Qianhai Institute for International Affairs. It brings together young scholar representatives from 13 APEC economies, engaged in in-depth discussions around the theme "Shaping New Drivers of Development: Youth, Innovation, and a Sustainable Future."
Distinguished Guests
The forum invited esteemed guests from national ministries, the APEC Secretariat, the governments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen City, universities, enterprises, and various sectors of society, including:
- Xu Yangsheng, Chairman of the Forum Organizing Committee and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
- Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat
- Jiang Xiaojuan, Professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, and Director of the National Data Expert Advisory Committee
- Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference and former Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China
- Chen Qing, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC and Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Shenzhen Municipal Government
- Xu Zhongsheng, Counselor of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ge Zhenjiang, Vice Chairman of the China Education Development Foundation
Along with over 800 participants, including young scholar representatives from 13 APEC economies (Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore) and specially invited scholars from Macao.
Addresses from the Podium
Opening Address by Wang Cong, Associate Vice-President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Professor Wang Cong announced: "The APEC Study Centers Consortium Young Scholars Forum is now officially open!" He emphasized that this year, 2026, is the APEC "China Year," and Shenzhen, as the host city for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, will showcase the vivid practice of Chinese-style modernization and reform and opening-up to the world as a city of innovation and a window of openness.
President Xu Yangsheng: Practice is Key for Young Scholars
President Xu Yangsheng stated in his address that Shenzhen is one of the youngest major cities in the world, with an average population age of 32. He encouraged young scholars to value three types of practice:
- International Practice - Participating in international cooperation projects, collaborating with young scholars from different economies, and solving problems from multiple perspectives.
- Practice Deeply Connected with Society - Interacting with industries, communities, and public institutions to understand the complexity of real-world issues, especially integrating humanistic understanding in the field of AI.
- First-Hand Practical Experience - Going into factories, hospitals, and communities to confront the real human life that data cannot capture.
President Xu stated: "When we can learn and work together with people from diverse backgrounds, we will deepen our mutual understanding and foster innovation."
Eduardo Pedrosa: Youth are the Future of APEC
Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, pointed out in his address that since its establishment, APEC's membership has grown from 12 to 21 economies, representing 37% of the world's population and 61% of global GDP. The average income in the Asia-Pacific region has nearly doubled, from $12,000 to $31,000. He emphasized: "The future belongs to the young people. Your work will play a crucial role throughout this entire process."
Jiang Xiaojuan: AI Promotes International Exchange, Youth Should Take the Lead
Professor Jiang Xiaojuan delivered a speech titled "AI Promotes International Exchange, Youth Should Take the Lead." She pointed out that AI is an inherently globalizing technology. China's prominent large model, Qwen, has reached 50% international users, while ChatGPT has 1 billion monthly active users, with over 85% being international users. Professor Jiang cited the example of the Orange Cloud design platform, which brings together over 300,000 design engineers from 17 countries, providing R&D and design services to enterprises in approximately 40 countries, demonstrating the breadth of technological globalization. She called upon: "Young people are the future of this world; we are the native AI generation. I hope everyone will work together to promote AI for good and create a beautiful, united, and shared world."
Ren Xianliang: Youth Should Be Pioneers of Technological Breakthroughs
Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, put forward three expectations:
- Take Innovation as the Engine, Be Pioneers of Technological Breakthroughs - Advance scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, and engage in R&D of new technologies like AI, big data, and 6G.
- Take Open Exchange as a Bridge, Be Practitioners of Mutual Learning - Proactively step onto the world stage, sparking ideas and inspiring each other through exchange and mutual learning.
- Take Responsibility as a Mission, Be Guardians of the Digital Future - Participate in the formulation of international rules and digital governance practices, promoting sustainable development.
He also introduced the World Internet Conference's "Global Youth Leaders Program," which has already selected 56 young leaders from 38 countries and regions, welcoming active participation from young scholars.
Video Address by Ren Youqun, Vice Minister of Education
Vice Minister Ren Youqun put forward three hopes in his video address:
- Be Explorers of Cutting-Edge Technology, boldly venture into the "uncharted territories" of academia, and let original breakthroughs benefit the people of the Asia-Pacific.
- Be Practitioners of Green Development, promote the transition of low-carbon technologies from laboratories to production lines.
- Be Promoters of Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, use your youthful energy to foster people-to-people bonds, injecting a warm humanistic touch into building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
Video Address by Chen Yulu, President of Nankai University
President Chen Yulu, on behalf of Nankai University, stated that the APEC Study Center of Nankai University was established in 1995. Over the past three decades, it has played a pioneering role in China's theoretical and policy research related to APEC. He looks forward to using this forum as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and interactions with colleagues from all APEC member economies, jointly addressing global challenges.
Counselor Xu Zhongsheng from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Introduces APEC "China Year" Progress
Counselor Xu Zhongsheng detailed the theme and three priority areas of the APEC "China Year":
Theme: "Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity"
Three Priority Areas:
- Building an Open and Connected Asia-Pacific - This year marks the 20th anniversary of the vision for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Discussions will explore the alignment of RCEP and CPTPP, facilitating new steps in building the FTAAP.
- Building an Innovation-Driven Asia-Pacific - Hold a series of APEC Digital Week activities to deepen cooperation on digital intelligence empowerment, AI infrastructure, inclusive and universal development, etc.
- Building a Win-Win Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific - Deepen cooperation in areas such as green and low-carbon development, clean energy, finance, and transportation.
He revealed that the Second APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2) will be held in Shanghai from May 11 to 19, and the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting will be held in Suzhou from May 20 to 23.
Address by Chen Guangjun, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial Government
Deputy Director Chen Guangjun introduced that in 2025, Guangdong's economic aggregate exceeded 14.58 trillion RMB, ranking first nationally for 37 consecutive years, and its regional comprehensive innovation capability ranked first nationally for 9 consecutive years. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster jumped to the top of the Global Innovation Index for the first time. He stated that the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen in November this year, and Guangdong will seize this opportunity to further promote pragmatic cooperation with APEC economies in areas like economy, trade, investment, technological innovation, education, and talent.
Significance of the Forum
This forum marks the first time APEC has held a Young Scholars Forum, and it has been listed as an official event of the "APEC China Year." The forum features four parallel sessions focusing on: "Innovative Technology Empowerment: AI and Digital Economy Opportunities"; "Regional Economic Integration: Role and Actions of Youth"; "The Broken Walls: Education Remodeling and Generational Conflict in the AI Era"; and "Towards a Green and Sustainable Future: Youth Perspectives and Initiatives."
Professor Wang Cong stated while presiding: "We look forward to scholars actively sharing and engaging in deep exchanges during the parallel sessions, sparking more intellectual collisions, and producing valuable academic insights and collaborative initiatives."
The opening ceremony concluded successfully with a group photo of all guests, after which the forum proceeded to the parallel session discussions.
