-to-People Exchange outcome list: Continue supporting Tsinghua University in setting up the “Schwarzman Scholars” program, and cultivating future leaders who possess outstanding leadership abilities and understand China’s society and culture.
The Plenary Session of the 7th Annual U.S.- China High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange was held in Beijing on June 7th. Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Yandong and US Secretary of State John Kerry co-chaired the meeting. A total of 12 cooperation agreements were signed and 158 outcomes were achieved in this annual consultation. Tsinghua and Yale University’s acapella clubs performed two songs: Crescent Moon and Unhurried My Heart. Acting as a student representative, Zhe Wang, a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University participated in the meeting and delivered a speech
As the demonstration project of the outcome list at the 7th Annual U.S.- China High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange , Schwarzman Scholars program is central to Tsinghua University’s new millennial development and is dedicated to cultivating future global leaders who understand China. The program selects young talents from all over the world with academic aptitude, vision, responsibility and leadership potential for a one-year study at Tsinghua University. Through interactive learning at lectures and intensive deep-dive travel seminars, they will gain deep insights in China’s society and culture. Once they return to their motherland upon graduation, they will become influential leaders in politics, economics, culture ,education and other fields, contributing to human civilization and progress as well as world peace and development.
Zhe Wang, a Ph.D. candidate from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, is also part of the first class of students enrolled in Schwarzman Scholars Program globally. As the student representative, he delivered a speech at the plenary session of the 7th Annual U.S.- China High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange. Wang obtained a Master’s degree from Cambridge University in energy technology and received his Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Economics from Tsinghua University. Wang was interested in energy-efficient building technology, green building design and low-carbon city development, etc. . He once organized a youth exchange program between China and India as well as participating in the 2014 UN climate change meeting. Wang also has a great record in terms of social work experience. He was the secretary of the Communist Youth League in the School of Architecture, and volunteered at the Beijing Olympic Games and as a volunteer teacher in Kenya. Wang hoped to conduct research in economics, management and the like as his concentration at Schwarzman College.
The following is the full text of Zhe Wang’s speech
Honorable Madam Vice Premier,
Distinguished Mr. Secretary of State, Esteemed guests and delegates，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning! I am Zhe Wang, a Ph.D. candidate and Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University. It is my great honor and privilege to be here and have the opportunity to share with you my personal thoughts and experiences about China-US People-to-People Exchanges.
I think I can proudly say that I am the immediate beneficiary of China-U.S. people-to-people exchange mechanism. In 2013, Mr. Schwarzman, founder of U.S. Blackstone Group funded the “Schwarzman Scholars” program and started the program together with Tsinghua University, which was one of the significant outcomes at the 3rd Annual U.S.- China High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange. I am lucky enough to be the first class of scholars enrolled in this program. Starting from August this year, I will study with youth scholars from China, U.S. and other places in the world. We will learn more about each other and become friends.
My undergraduate major is architecture technology. In 2011, I won the eligibility to directly pursue a Ph.D. in architecture environment and energy. As is known to all, the world today is confronted with such common challenges as climate change, environmental degradation and energy crisis. In 2014, President Xi Jinping and President Obama signed China-US Joint Announcement on Climate Change, which added new momentum into global cooperation and joint response to climate change. I am grateful for Schwarzman program as it provides such a greater platform and it enables me to have the opportunity to make my own contribution to the area that China and U.S. commonly focus on and work for.
I am deeply aware that this generation is so lucky because we are blessed with more opportunities to have cross-cultural communication and learn from each other thanks to U.S.- China High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange mechanism. As young people, we cherish such opportunities and we are willing to be a successor and facilitator to carry forward U.S.- China People-to-People Exchange and enable it to take root and flourish in more areas so as to benefit more common people from all walks of life. Thank you.
