On June 20, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE) held an expanded plenary meeting of its International Affairs Committee. The meeting was convened to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches on Yunnan, as well as to align the university's work with directives from recent central and provincial-level meetings on foreign affairs.

University Party Committee Secretary Chen Hong presided over the meeting and delivered a keynote address. University President Wang Min conveyed the spirit of the high-level meetings and outlined the university's corresponding work plan.

Secretary Chen pointed out that as Yunnan's only provincial key university of finance and economics, YUFE bears the crucial mission of serving the nation's "Belt and Road" Initiative and supporting Yunnan's development as a "radiating center for South and Southeast Asia." He stressed that the university must approach its work with a high degree of political responsibility and historical mission, proactively integrating into the country's broader strategy of opening up to achieve new breakthroughs in international affairs.

Summarizing the university's current international efforts, Secretary Chen outlined three key areas for advancing high-quality development:

1. Uphold Party Leadership to Ensure the Correct Direction: Fully implement the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on Leading Foreign Affairs Work and deepen reforms of the international affairs mechanism to foster innovation in concepts, systems, and capabilities.

2. Build on Existing Strengths to Expand International Cooperation: Continue to strengthen educational cooperation and exchanges with developed countries to enhance the university's global influence.

3. Expand Engagement with a Focus on South and Southeast Asia: Seizing the opportunity of Yunnan's development as a radiating center, the university must expand cooperation with South and Southeast Asian nations. The goal is to establish YUFE as a key regional center for economic and trade talent cultivation, research, and educational and cultural exchange for these countries.

President Wang Min elaborated on how the university can align its development with the nation's foreign policy framework, outlining a three-pronged approach: "Looking Upward to integrate with the times, Looking Outward to expand influence, and Looking Inward to build internal strength."

He proposed that the university should actively participate in the construction of the RCEP International Education Cooperation Zone by developing YUFE's "1 Zone, 3 Institutes, 7 Centers" model to serve the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. He also called for enhancing the university's global influence through international accreditations, hosting high-level international conferences, and actively participating in international educational alliances. Internally, he emphasized the need to strengthen the international capabilities of faculty, improve their language skills, and establish incentive mechanisms to provide robust talent support for the university's internationalization.

The meeting concluded with a call for the entire university community to maintain confidence and resolve, actively embrace responsibility, and proactively identify and adapt to change. It urged all members to forge ahead with a pioneering spirit, overcoming any obstacle to broaden the path of internationalization and contribute to the university's goal of becoming a high-level regional institution with distinct financial and economic characteristics, rooted in Yunnan, serving the nation, and oriented towards South and Southeast Asia.

University Vice President Yan Ming delivered a report on the university's international affairs work. The heads of the Business School, the Information School, and the Research Institute for Indian Ocean Economies also shared their perspectives and work in related areas.

All university leaders and heads of all university units attended the meeting.