On June 3rd, SJTU Academy for International and Regional Studies was officially established, followed by an unveiling ceremony and a thematic seminar. Renowned experts and scholars from  universities and research institutions across the country, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Renmin University of China, Harbin Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Southeast University, Shandong University, and Ningxia University, gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the characteristic development of international and regional studies and the construction of China's independent knowledge system. 

The academy aims to offer forward-looking and systematic intellectual support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a comprehensive and systematic exploration of the political, economic, social, and cultural landscapes of diverse countries and regions worldwide. By doing so, it serves the nation's economic development, technological innovation, ecological civilization construction, and opening-up strategies in a holistic manner. In the current context of global transformation, such research is instrumental in enabling China to participate more profoundly in global governance, foster mutual learning and exchanges among civilizations, and contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.

As a university-level interdisciplinary research platform, the academy shoulders the "five-in-one" responsibilities of academic research, policy counsel, talent cultivation, disciplinary development, and international communication. Leveraging interdisciplinary approaches, especially corpus and data analysis, it will focus on research related to Australia, Pacific island countries, and regions, while also intensifying comparative studies across different countries and regions. Over the next decade, the academy is committed to establishing itself as a leading academic hub, a high-end think tank, and a premier talent cultivation base both domestically and internationally. Particular emphasis will be placed on harnessing modern technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence to enhance the scientific rigor of research, as well as constructing an independent Chinese knowledge system centered around shared values of all humanity.

Following the unveiling ceremony, a thematic seminar was held, focusing on "The Characteristic Development of International and Regional Studies and the Construction of China's Autonomous Knowledge System". The participating experts unanimously agreed that China's international and regional studies must be firmly grounded in domestic experiences, advocate an egalitarian perspective, and strengthen theoretical innovation through in-depth inter-disciplinary integration to align with the nation's major strategic imperatives. They also pointed out that international and regional studies served as a key bridge for promoting understanding, dialogue, and mutual learning among different civilizations, deepening the understanding of the evolutionary logic of various civilizations, and facilitating the formation of cross-cultural consensus. Based on this understanding, higher education institutions should enhance relevant educational initiatives to broaden the global perspectives of the younger generation. Regarding the path of characteristic development, the experts stressed the necessity of establishing sustainable mechanisms for data acquisition and on-site research to enhance the empirical foundation and practical relevance of research.
The establishment of this academy marks a significant milestone in universities' endeavors to construct an international and regional studies system with distinct Chinese characteristics. In the future, through deeper domestic and international cooperation, the academy will offer valuable insights and recommendations for the nation's modern governance and soft power development, while also making substantial contributions to safeguarding global cultural diversity and promoting mutual learning and exchanges among civilizations.