On September 27, 2024, Peking University’s Yenching Academy hosted Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and Shuhsi Hsü Chair Professor at the Academy, for a lecture on EU-US-China relations as part of the prestigious Leadership and Global Governance Lecture Series. Moderated by Dean Dong Qiang, this event brought together scholars from the Yenching Academy to hear Raffarin's p...

My journey to the Yenching Academy of Peking University begins with a love for Chinese food and a burning desire to master the art of eating with chopsticks. After all, if I can navigate a bowl of hot and sour soup without flinging tofu across the room, surely I can navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, right? Though this will be my first time in China and Asia, I’m excited to finally...

On September 9th, the Yenching Academy of Peking University recently hosted Charlene Ruto, daughter of Kenyan President William Ruto, for a discussion on global leadership and advocacy. During the conversation, Charlene reflected on her identity and the challenges she has faced as the daughter of a prominent leader, emphasizing her personal journey of growth and self-realization.Charlene addres...

This is a very trite quote from Lao Tzu to begin with, but it seems fitting for the occasion of our arrival: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”The first time I visited China was in the summer of 2015 before eighth grade. I had tagged along on a University of Washington study abroad to South China called, “Finding Roots: The Hokkien and Cantonese Chinese Diaspora.” Th...

It is August 30. I am sitting in my room on Peking University’s campus, and I happen to be looking down at the face of exactly the person with whom—eight years ago—my China story began. The Qianlong Emperor stares up from the cover of the book in front of me. In fact, I don’t know much more about him than I did eight years ago. But, I’ve planned to enroll in a course at PKU that will teach...

On the morning of September 7, 2024, the Yenching Academy of Peking University welcomed its 10th cohort of Scholars with an inspiring opening ceremony at Qiulin Auditorium. Bright minds from around the world gathered, eager to embark on their China Studies journey and begin a new chapter at one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.    The ceremony began with a captivating perf...