Apr 30,2026
Cambridge, UK, April 30, 2026: Beijing Forum Global was held at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge, from April 22 to 25, 2026. Jointly organized by the Department of History at Peking University (PKU) and the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Cambridge, the forum centered on the theme "State Making and Remaking."
The forum addressed topics on the theme "Land, Water, and the State; State Remaking; International Interactions; Place and Space; Historical Transformation; and Order and Disorder." Through interdisciplinary dialogue, participants examined pathways of state formation across different civilizations and explored how governance models are reshaped in response to globalization, digital transformation, and climate change.
More than 30 scholars from Peking University, the University of Cambridge, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and other leading institutions took part in the forum.
Among the distinguished guests were Jiang Guohua, PKU Provost and Council Vice Chairman; Sir John Aston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and Hans van de Ven, Professor of Modern Chinese History at the University of Cambridge. Kim Yoosuk, President of the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, delivered opening remarks via video.
Hans van de Ven, Professor of Modern Chinese History at the University of Cambridge; Jiang Guohua, PKU Provost and Council Vice Chairman; and Sir John Aston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (from left to right) speak at the Beijing Forum Global held in Cambridge, UK, April 23, 2026.
At the opening ceremony, Jiang Guohua congratulated the organizers and expressed appreciation to the University of Cambridge and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies for their longstanding support. He noted that over the past two decades, Beijing Forum has remained committed to its overarching theme, "The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All," bringing together global perspectives by positioning itself in Asia and engaging the world.
Jiang also stated that hosting Beijing Forum Global at the University of Cambridge is another important step toward expanding the forum's international academic network and fostering sustained dialogue among scholars from diverse cultural and intellectual traditions. He expressed Peking University's commitment to further strengthening collaboration with the University of Cambridge and other academic partners worldwide through scholarly exchange, joint research, and talent cultivation.
In his welcoming remarks, Sir John Aston highlighted the partnership between the two universities. He emphasized that universities play a vital role in advancing global innovation and improving public governance, and that innovation should be inclusive and benefit society as a whole. Against the backdrop of complex global challenges—including public health, environmental sustainability, and technological transformation—cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration are increasingly important. He expressed the University of Cambridge's expectation of deepening cooperation with Peking University to jointly contribute to human wellbeing.
Kim Yoosuk reaffirmed the Chey Institute's longstanding support for Beijing Forum and expressed his hope that the forum would continue to serve as a premier international platform, bringing together scholars from diverse countries and disciplines to engage in meaningful dialogue on issues critical to humanity's future and to foster intercultural understanding and global academic cooperation.
The Beijing Forum Global at Cambridge marks another important milestone in Beijing Forum's efforts to expand its global academic network and deepen high-level cooperation between Peking University and the University of Cambridge. It also demonstrates the forum's continued commitment to openness, international dialogue, and academic excellence. Looking ahead, Beijing Forum will continue to convene scholars from around the world to address major global issues such as civilizational exchange and global governance, building a more open, inclusive, and interconnected international academic community.
About Beijing Forum Global
Founded in 2004, Beijing Forum is an international academic event co-sponsored by Peking University, Beijing Municipal Education Commission, and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies. With "The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All" as its overarching theme, the forum has brought together more than 7,000 distinguished scholars from around the world to convene in Beijing annually.
Since launching Beijing Forum Global in 2016, the forum has expanded its international footprint through overseas events in Islamabad, Davos, Chicago, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, and, most recently, Cambridge. These forums have promoted cross-national, cross-disciplinary, and cross-civilizational dialogue on topics such as intercultural exchange, cultural heritage, global development, regional cooperation, technological transformation, and educational innovation.
By connecting scholars and thought leaders through high-quality international academic dialogue, Beijing Forum Global has become an important platform for cultural exchange, global cooperation, and mutual learning among civilizations. It will continue to advance these goals through future dialogue and collaboration.