Wang Huiyao Speaks at Oxford Union as First Chinese Think Tanker
November 27 , 2024
On November 27, 2024, Henry Huiyao Wang, President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), became the first Chinese think tank leader ever invited to speak at the Oxford Union, one of the world’s top debating platforms with a history of over 200 years. He delivered a special speech and interviewed by the President of the Oxford Union, followed by a live Q&A session.
The Oxford Union, as one of the world’s top debating platforms, is renowned for inviting internationally prominent figures to speak or be interviewed at Oxford University, making it a key venue for global intellectual exchange. Founded in the 1820s, it initially started as a student-run society at Oxford University. Over two centuries of development, the Union has not only continued the tradition of intense debates on contemporary major issues but has also become a symbol of intellectual exchange and free expression. Former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan praised it as “the last bastion of free speech.”
In recent years, the Oxford Union has continued to expand its international influence, becoming a platform for speeches by numerous globally influential leaders and public figures. Elites from various fields, including heads of state, government leaders, Nobel laureates, Oscar winners, and world champions, have delivered speeches of profound significance at the Union. Notable figures include former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, and legendary scientists such as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
In his speech at the Oxford Union, President Henry Huiyao Wang began by providing an in-depth review of China’s historical trajectory since the reform and opening-up, highlighting the personal development and the changing global landscape he experienced, as well as China’s achievements in actively integrating into globalization. He introduced the key role played by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) as a bridge to promote communication between the East and West, enhancing understanding and cooperation, and showcasing the unique value of think tanks in international cross-cultural dialogue and policy recommendations.
In his speech, President Wang offered three forward-looking suggestions on global governance: First, he called for strengthening multilateral cooperation and dialogue among major powers to achieve global peace, including resolving significant international crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Second, he emphasized the importance of addressing global climate change and recommended that major economies, including China, the U.S., and the EU, collaborate to drive a green transformation, establish a Global Climate Change G10 coordination mechanism, and accelerate global carbon reduction efforts. Third, he advocated for enhanced international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, aiming to establish a fair, open, and sustainable global governance framework to ensure that technological development serves the common good of humanity.
During the event, he was also interviewed by Ebrahim Osman-Mowafy, President of the Oxford Union, and answered questions from the audience.
During the Q&A session, President Wang Huiyao answered questions from Oxford Union members, providing in-depth explanations on a wide range of topics related to China’s politics and global hot issues, including China’s democracy and human rights, Xinjiang, Taiwan, the Belt and Road Initiative, and China-U.S. relations. He also delivered a strong rebuttal to the erroneous criticisms from Western countries, offering valuable perspectives that promoted a more objective understanding and rational discussion of China’s policies in the international community. His responses received widespread praise and positive feedback from the audience.
This is the first time in its 200-year history that the Oxford Union has invited a Chinese think tank leader to deliver a speech. It not only showcases President Wang Huiyao’s academic achievements and international influence but also marks a milestone interaction between Chinese think tanks and one of the world’s top debating platforms. This historic exchange highlights the increasingly important role of Chinese think tanks in the international think tank community and on global issues, as well as the broad international recognition they have gained. It also creates new possibilities for further deepening international academic and intellectual exchange.
