what is the yenching global symposium?
Symposium about China, in China.
As a flagship event initiated and organized by scholars from the Yenching Academy of Peking University, the Yenching Global Symposium(YGS) is one of the most competitive and influential conferences for diving into China-related topics in the world.
Established in 2016, the Yenching Global Symposium(YGS) aims to provide a platform for emerging leaders from all over the world to conduct interdisciplinary dialogues on issues related to China. Every year, we’re accepting thousands of applications from over 120 countries and regions. Last year, we received a record-breaking 10,000+ applications!
By inviting you to engage in a conference about China, in China, we hope to hear your voice on China and its place on the world stage. Apart from insightful academic panels with prestigious speakers, we also provide interesting cultural workshops and social activities to make attending YGS one of your most fruitful, exciting, and fun experiences in China and beyond.
Our Goal
The Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) provides a platform for emerging leaders, established practitioners, and Yenching Scholars around the globe to engage in interdisciplinary dialogues on China through the unique lens of the Yenching Academy of Peking University.
Our Impact
Held every spring, the Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) comprises engaging lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on topics surrounding China and the world. Each year, the symposium features prominent and distinguished Chinese and international speakers from a wide range of fields, including esteemed scholars, eminent officeholders, and leading professionals, enabling an interdisciplinary and intercultural gathering of rising global leaders who bear a noted passion for China.
The Symposium’s annual themes are carefully selected by the YGS Executive Committee, endeavoring to capture characteristics that best describe our world today, China today. Past themes include Equilibrium: Our World in Balance,互manity: Cartographies of Collaboration, Shared Renewal: Recoupling East with West, and Wǒmen: Retelling the China Stories, etc. The theme of YGS 2025 is estimated to be announced in December 2024.
600+
delegates
Over eight years, we have welcomed international and domestic China delegates to Peking University’s historic campus.
200+
speakers
Panelists and lecturers have talked about topics near and far, from climate change to artificial intelligence to eco-cities.
120+
countries
We care about representation and viewpoints from around the world, and our sessions capture the diversity of global conversations.
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february 2022
During a time when travel was difficult, I was able to meet students and professionals from all around the world to discuss global challenges and the role of China within it. I value the connections I made with future leaders and impact-makers with China competence.
Myrta Brunner / YGS 2021 Alum
Hear From Our Delegates
YGS strives to ensure that the Symposium is stimulating, engaging, and impactful for all attendees by providing a platform for one-of-a-kind intellectual discourse and genuine conversation.
But don’t take it from us. Hear from past attendees below!
catharina (jeeyoun) lee, south korea
Before participating in the Yenching Global Symposium, I put “Yenching be my 眼睛 (eyes)” on my social media profile. It was a slogan with my own wishes to broaden my perspective and gain insight into China. I think YGS 2021 was an absolutely special experience to form discourses on various topics in the environment, politics, economy, and culture. Further, it was a new experience for me that I could meet 155 people from different time zones and situations, online, at the same moment.
arunima rao, india
Wearing two hats of a business journalist and an MBA student, I found myself particularly absorbed during the Fireside Chat on “Commerce in Times of COVID: Has Doing Business Permanently Changed?” I particularly liked that the session instilled a palpable sense of optimism about a recovery in the post-pandemic age.
maria elena sassaroli, italy
These three days at the Yenching Global Symposium have been amazing, to say the least. All the scheduled activities and events have been inspiring and provided me with tools I can use in my studies, career, and life. I understood the importance of perspective, especially when looking at complex realities like China.
