CIDCA vice-chairman addresses ISSCAD 2020 commencement

The 2020 commencement ceremony of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) of Peking University was held on June 27.

Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), addressed the ceremony via video link.

Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the CIDCA, delivers a speech via video link. [Photo/cidca.gov.cn]

Zhang congratulated the ISSCAD graduates who overcame the difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and completed their college education with excellent performances, and thanked them for their firm support for China’s fight against the pandemic.

The ISSCAD, as a key project to promote South-South cooperation, is an important platform for training high-end talents for developing countries, exchanging governance and administrative experience and carrying out research in development concepts, said Zhang.

As the pandemic impacted the global public health in a way that has not been seen in a century, the international community offered sincere support to China at its most difficult time in fighting the virus. For this, China is deeply grateful, Zhang added. 

Zhang said that in order to help people in the world to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, China upholds the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and has rapidly launched the most intensive and wide-ranging emergency humanitarian operation since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

China will provide $2 billion in international assistance within two years to support the countries affected by the pandemic, especially the developing countries, in their fight against the virus and their efforts to recover their economic and social development.

China has actively helped countries in need by providing medical materials and cash assistance, dispatching medical expert groups, participating in the implementation of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and exempting part of the debts of affected African countries.

It demonstrates China's role as a major country with strong responsibility, and is the best commemoration of the 70th anniversary of China's foreign aid cause. As a country that has received help in difficult times, it is also an inalienable responsibility for China to help others in need, added Zhang. 

Zhang put forward high hopes for the graduates. He said he hopes they could face challenges, work together to deal with the pandemic, contribute to defeating the virus in their respective posts; promote cooperation and multilateralism and jointly safeguard a global governance system with the United Nations as its core; oppose politicization of the pandemic and labeling the virus, reject racial discrimination and ideological prejudice, and firmly defend international fairness and justice; and cherish their precious friendship and contribute to the promotion of friendly cooperation between China and their home countries after graduation.

Professor Justin Yifu Lin, Dean of ISSCAD, addresses the ceremony. [Photo/cidca.gov.cn]

Professor Justin Yifu Lin, co-founder and honorary dean of ISSCAD, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Lin said that the COVID-19 pandemic warns that humans are fragile. It is necessary to strengthen international cooperation to cope with problems in many fields such as climate change, poverty, hunger and the pandemic.

In the process of anti-pandemic and economic development, China has set a good example. China’s experience should be able to help other countries and boost their confidence in overcoming current difficulties and future challenges.

Lin expressed his hope that students will benefit from their studying at ISSCAD, and with reinforced confidence serve their countries and contribute to the world after returning from China.

A graduate representative delivers a speech at the ceremony. [Photo/ cidca.gov.cn]

A graduate representative from Malawi thanked the Chinese government and Chinese president for their support, saying that one of the purposes of studying at ISSCAD is to integrate theory and inference with practice. He hoped to better understand the secrets of China’s economic growth and will devote himself to the development and growth of his motherland after returning from China, the graduate said.

Graduates pose for photos at their commencement ceremony on June 27. [Photo/ cidca.gov.cn]

Established in 2015, ISSCAD has enrolled nearly 220 master and doctorial students from 59 countries in four consecutive years. There are 38 graduates in 2020, including 23 masters’ degree holders and 15 doctorates from 25 countries.

The graduation ceremony was held in a small on-site venue and simultaneously video streamed to graduates and their relatives and friends around the world.