The world is undergoing great changes unprecedented in over a century. Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, profound adjustments have been seen in the international economy, science and technology, culture, and in the security and political landscapes. The world has entered a phase featuring unrest and change. The post-epidemic world in 2021 continues to encounter challenges. How can we observe and understand the world amid these great changes? How should China, as one of the most influential actors amid the changes, respond to it? To answer these questions, the Institute of Area Studies, Peking University, in partnership with PKU’s School of Economics, hosted a series of New Buds salons on the theme of “Senior diplomats talk about the unprecedented great changes in over a century” at the third anniversary of the establishment of the Institute.

The 29th New Buds Salon on March 26 invited former Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua to make a presentation titled “Sino-Japanese relations amid the Great Changes in over a Century.”Cheng first sorted out the significant events in the history of Sino-Japanese relations. Then, he reviewed the profound changes to Sino-Japanese relations that he witnessed during his nine-year term as ambassador to Japan. He also expressed his views on the impact of COVID-19 on Sino-Japanese relations and answered questions from the audience members.