The 2021 China Annual Conference for International Education & Expo, under the theme of “New Opportunities and Prospects for Building an Open and High-Quality Education System”, took place from October 21 to 24 in Beijing. The Parallel Forum “New Strategies for University Internationalization Initiatives in the Post-Pandemic Era” organized by Xiamen University was successfully held on October 21 in a hybrid model. The forum attracted over 160 attendees from domestic and overseas universities to discuss how Chinese universities could continue their internationalization under restricted conditions in the post-pandemic era. Guests from home and abroad shared typical cases of promoting international exchange and cooperation during COVID-19 pandemic and discussed practicable measures to implement the strategy of internationalization.

Yu Yougen, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange, attended and addressed the forum. He appreciated Chinese universities’ efforts to prioritize the safety of their teachers and students and unite all personnel to overcome the difficulties. At the same time, he shared his thoughts on universities’ international exchange during the “new normal” of COVID-19 prevention and control. He stressed the need to develop a global holistic vision fused with development view and to intensify research on the policies, national conditions, education systems and cultural traditions of different countries.

Fang Ying, Assistant President of XMU delivered the opening address. He said that the China Education Association for International Exchange had been actively promoting the exchanges between China’s education with other countries and regions, and had enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between peoples from different countries and regions. The Association has also contributed to the development of China’s education, culture, science and technology. It played a significant role in modernizing China’s education, strengthening China’s soft power and extending the influence of Chinese culture. He also noted that Xiamen University had adhered to the tradition of opening up in education over the past century. As a result, each year, hundreds of XMU students gain exchange experience in world-class universities through various exchange programs, which have broadened their international horizons, enhanced their academic literacy, and strengthened their international competitiveness.

Yu Hongbo, Executive Director of Office of Overseas Campus Affairs and Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, delivered a keynote speech. She introduced the history of XMU and its features and priorities in international exchange. XMU always encourages all colleges and schools to play their part in expanding external collaborations; it has also created new forms for cooperation, trying to engage in multi-field and multi-level bilateral and multilateral exchanges and cooperation. Such engagements include the founding of Xiamen University Malaysia Campus, the joint establishment of the “21st century Maritime Silk Road University Alliance”, and the association with other international or regional university alliances. Yu also noted that the University, with its historical features and geographical advantages, will continue its traditions by targeting the top-class partners, reaching out in multiple areas and engaging in various types of cooperation.

Representatives from domestic and overseas universities including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles, Nankai University, Dalian University of Technology and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics also delivered speeches concerning their ways of promoting international exchange during the pandemic, sharing real-life cases and discussing the path of implementing internationalization in the post-pandemic era.