Experts share ideas in London at Governance Modernization Seminar

Around 50 experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, think tanks, and government institutions in China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy have attended the Governance Modernization Seminar in London.

The event, which was co-hosted by Beijing Normal University's China Academy of Social Management and by the China Institute within the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, carried the theme "Social Governance Modernization: New Trends and New Responses".

Delegates discussed theoretical and practical issues and topics included the Belt and Road Initiative, the internet community, population aging, government decision-making, and public service, all in relation to social governance.

Wei Liqun, a former director of the Research Office of the State Council and dean of the China Academy of Social Management, delivered the keynote speech, in which he said human society is faced with many serious challenges and risks, in particular, from the potential changes that will be brought about by "informationization" and "internet plus".

"Strengthening and innovating social governance, and improving the scientific and modern level of social governance are urgent tasks for human society and all countries in the world," he said.

Jin Xu, a minister counselor at China's UK embassy, said this year marks the 45th anniversary of ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations and the fifth anniversary of the high-level cultural exchange mechanism between China and the UK.

"In such context, it is of vital importance to deepen high-level academic exchanges in economic and social areas between the two," Jin said. "Such institutionalized exchanges and cooperation have now gone beyond pure academic exchanges, but have forged a diverse open platform."

During the latest Sino-UK People-to-People Dialogue, high-level officials from both countries agreed that social equity would be a new theme of cooperation under the new global partnership.

Christ Pallet, research analyst at the Asia Pacific Directorate within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said the conference was one of the first steps in taking this forward.