Press Release

The 31st session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 17 July. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Dr. Li Qirong from Central China Normal University. This lecture was titled “The Role of Overseas Chinese as a Bridge and Link in Sino-French Friendly Relations”. It was attended by more than 100 people.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong, is a professor at the Center for International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies at Central China Normal University. He is the founding director of the Wuhan Research Center for Overseas Chinese Affairs and the Research Base for Overseas Chinese Affairs Theories of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Professor Li has also served as a distinguished professor at Lishui University, dean of the Overseas Chinese College, and a member of the academic committee. Currently, he is a distinguished professor at the Guangxi ASEAN College and the China-ASEAN Regional and Country Studies Institute. He has lectured, conducted research, and participated in academic exchanges at institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Copenhagen, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Malaya. His primary research fields are international migration and overseas Chinese studies.

In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong approached the topic from a historical perspective, using broad viewpoints and vivid examples to explain his research focus on the role of overseas Chinese as a bridge in Sino-French relations. He provided a rich and insightful academic presentation. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.