Intl academic conference in Dalian enhances dialogue on future development of NE Asia

On May 25, the "Decoding Zhonghua” International Conference on Northeast Asian Studies was held in Dalian, Northeast China’s Liaoning province. The event was hosted by the China Ethnic News and Dalian Minzu University, and co-organized by the Center for Asia and Pacific of China International Communications Group.

The conference was themed around "Future-Oriented Regional Cooperation in Northeast Asia" and featured two sub-forums: "High-quality development, cultural exchanges and cooperation in Northeast Asia" and "Exchanges and interaction among ethnic groups in Northeast China and their integration into the Chinese nation".

The event drew over 50 experts and scholars from China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and Mongolia. All participants of the conference engaged in profound discussions on historical narratives of interactions across ethnic groups and strategies for enhancing mutual learning and cooperation among Northeast Asian countries.

Professor Lyu Chao of Liaoning University highlighted the imperative for China, Japan and South Korea to maintain friendly relations as close neighbors. He urged a pragmatic approach to cooperation, emphasizing mutual benefit and the need to resist external interference to strengthen collaboration in cultural, economic and other sectors.

In a presentation on regional maritime cooperation, Professor Zhang Jingquan of Shandong University proposed innovative strategies, including the creation of a Northeast Asian Super Bay Area to facilitate land-sea coordination and the advancement of digital and intelligent marine industries. He stressed the important role of deep-sea governance in high-quality regional development.

Professor Li Deshan of Northeast Normal University underscored the historical significance of the integrated and diverse landscape of coexistence among China's ethnic groups. He noted that changes of dynasties and ethnic integration have fostered a unified and inclusive community of the Chinese nation.

Professor Jin Jun from Japan's University of East Asia examined the evolution of peace thought in modern China. He highlighted the historical role of the "Great Unity", a traditional Chinese concept of national governance, in promoting harmonious coexistence among diverse ethnic groups and cultures in East Asia, underpinned by morality, justice and harmony.

Professor Kusonoki Yoshimichi from Minzu University of China shed light on historical interethnic interactions in Northeast China by exploring records of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Meanwhile, Professor Hei Long of Dalian Minzu University elaborated on the Russian translation of laws and regulations on ethnic affairs in the Qing Dynasty, illustrating cultural exchanges and mutual learning among Northeast Asian countries.

In addition to the main stage, the conference also featured two sub-forums. The "High-quality development, cultural exchanges and cooperation in Northeast Asia" sub-forum delved into current cultural exchanges, economic interactions and cooperation mechanisms among Northeast Asian countries. Experts called for enhanced multilateral exchanges and improved cooperation mechanisms to foster mutual learning and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The "Exchanges and interaction among ethnic groups in Northeast China and their integration into the Chinese nation" sub-forum focused on the historical evidence of such interactions in the region. Scholars traced the origins of the "together as one family of the Chinese nation" concept agreed by all Chinese ethnic communities, highlighting that the regional ethnic communities have created, inherited and further developed the Chinese culture through mutual respect and cultural recognition, and have fostered a diverse and integrated landscape of ethnic coexistence via exchanges in all sectors.

Other prominent figures who addressed the conference included Yang Xinhua, editor-in-chief of The Illustrated Journal of China’s Ethnics; Ding Keyi, president of Dalian Minzu University; and Lin Chongzhen, deputy editor-in-chief of the Center for Asia and Pacific of China International Communications Group.