China and Japan are neighbors facing each other across the sea with the same roots.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and the 35th anniversary of the academic exchange and cooperation between China Center for Shenzhen Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR), a key research base of humanities and social science under the Ministry of Education, and the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Kumamoto Gakuen University (KGU).
Thirty-five years ago, Shenzhen on the coast of Southern China and Kumamoto on the East China Sea were brought together by serendipity. With the endeavor made by pioneers, Shenzhen and Kumamoto have created great academic stories. At this moment to recall the course of history, we couldn’t help but show high respect and infinite gratitude for our predecessors. We embraced the wealth and opportunities left by them and continued to strive forward, admiring their foresight and vision. We also looked forward to the future of Sino-Japanese friendship with great expectation and confidence.
In the History Museum of SZU, the cooperation archives in 1987 between the two universities are still well preserved, including the Academic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement Between SZU and KGU Junior College, signed by Prof. Luo Zhengqi, then President of SZU and Prof. Katsuyuki Kitaniaga, then President of Kumamoto Gakuen University Junior College (former Kumamoto Gakuen University), the Declaration on the Establishment of Sister University Relationship and the Speech addressed by President Luo Zhengqi in the signing ceremony. He stated in the Declaration that we, Shenzhen University of the People's Republic of China, hereby announce the establishment of an inter-university friendship with Kumamoto Gakuen University Junior College in Japan. The main goal of the fellowship was to motivate academic and educational exchanges and communications between students and teachers in both universities. It was the earliest international exchange and cooperation program in the social science field in Shenzhen, as well as the first international cooperative program in the liberal arts of SZU, a young university with only 39-year history. Through this close relationship, the two academic institutions, even China and Japan have deepened mutual understanding and trust, which makes unique contributions to Sino-Japanese friendship.
Thirty-five years have flown by and things have changed a lot. Some of our pioneers have passed away and some entered their old age. Principals and directors assumed office from one term after another, while our academic interactions maintained, mutual visits of scholars and exchange of students among the two institutes continued. The commitments made by two sides have been well complied with and faithfully carried out by every baton bearer at every stage of growth.
We hereby extended great thanks to Prof. Chen Zhuohua, then Director of CCSEZR, and Prof. Shiro Tajima, then Director of IFA, who have entered into the contract of cooperation. Our heartfelt thanks also should be given to Prof. Cao Longqi, then Director of CCSEZR, SZU, and Prof. Masatoshi Kagawa, then Director of IFA, KGU, who have successfully held the International Symposium on China, Japan and Korea Economic and Social Development in SZU to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the friendship. In addition, A Comparative Study on Economic Issues in China and Japan has been published in Chinese and Japanese.
The cooperative agreement signed by two sides in 1987
Group photo of the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between CCSEZR and IFA, KGU and the International Symposium on China, Japan and Korea Economic and Social Development in 2007
A research conducted by 18 professors of the two universities, named A Comparative Study on Economic Issues in China and Japan in English and 日中両国の政治、社会、経済的諸課題 in Japanese, has borne great impact on relative authorities of the two countries.
On balance, the enduring academic partnership benefited from dedicated Chinese and Japanese scholars. They are the late Prof. Su Dongbin, a famous Chinese economist and Deputy Director of CCSEZR, SZU, Professors Keita, Yoneoka, Yusuf and Marston, successive Directors of IFA, KGU, Prof. Tao Yitao, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of SZU and current Director of CCSEZR, Prof. Yuan Yiming, former Deputy Director, and Prof. Gao Xingming. They are the authors of the new story, the upholders of prolonged friendship and the spokesmen of remarkable ideas. They wrote down the history, envisioning a blueprint while bringing it to fruition. With visionary insights, they have provided a broad and open academic platform for later generations in conducting dialogs between great minds.
The symposium of "
A Comparative Study on Economic Issues in China and Japan" in 2006
Then Director of CZSSER Prof. Zhong Jian (4th from right) visiting KGU with his delegation in 2008
A delegation of six from KGU visiting CZSSER for academic communication in 2009
Scholars of CZSSER visiting KGU to join the "International Symposium on China, Japan and Korea Economic and Social Development” in 2010
Prof. Tao Yitao (1st from right) meeting the KGU academic delegation in 2011
Prof. Tao Yitao (2nd from left) and Prof. Yuan Yiming (1st from right) meeting Director Yoneoka (1st from left) and Prof. Ikegami (2nd from right) in 2014
Prof Tao Yitao (1st from left, front row) visiting KUG with her delegation in 2015
Group photo of Prof Tao Yitao (5th from left), Prof. Yuan Yiming (2nd from right) and KGU academic delegation in 2016
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing academic companionship in 2017, the two universities once again together held the 30th anniversary commemoration and the 2017 East Asia Economic Sustainable Development Academic Symposium in KGU. More than thirty experts and scholars from different countries discussed hotspot issues extensively, including commercial registration system, judicial reform, the China-Japan FTA construction, disaster prevention and control, and performance management of research funds. In light of their countries’ economic and social development, scholars proposed theoretical interpretations from political, economic and even cultural perspectives on the problems faced by their economies and regional economic cooperation in the process of economic globalization. The proceedings, Sustainable Development in East Asia Countries, were published in English by Social Science Academic Press (China).
Prof Tao Yitao (5th from left) with her delegation participating in 30th anniversary ceremony and the international conference of "Sustainable Development in East Asia Countries” in 2017
Former Principal of KGU Ryoichi Kouda (right) presenting souvenirs to CCSEZR
The proceedings on
Sustainable Development in East Asia Countries
Prof Tao Yitao (center, front row) with her delegation joining “The 2019 Sino-Japanese Academic Seminar on Economy & Enterprise Development”, and Wu Dinghai (3rd from right, front row), Secretary of Party Committee and Director of the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences, attended the seminar.
CCSEZR delegation visiting SAISHUNKAN Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a famous sales enterprise in Japan
Director of Industrial Management Institute Koji Yoshikawa (right) from KGU visiting CCSEZR in 2019
Our consistent philosophy and aspirations lie in rational dialog, inclusive development, scientific exploration, mutual respect and common prosperity. The collision of ideas will produce new insights and the dialog among the wise will enlighten new perspectives. In human cognition, nothing can be more charming and powerful than the insights that can guide people to rationality, dignity and intelligence. From now onwards, we will seize every opportunity and cope with challenges hand in hand. The traditional Chinese culture may have directed the path for common prosperity, which is "All living things grow together without harming one another, and ways run parallel without interfering with one another." We sincerely hope that the academic exchanges and cooperation between the CCSEZR, SZU and the IAF, KGU will harvest the fruits of the times, and present a promising future!
Group photo of Prof. Tao Yitao (left) and Former Director Yoneoka (right)
Though miles apart, we are under the same sky. "Liyuan" is a name given because of the more than 3000 lychee trees planted on the campus in the founding of SZU, while sakura is the national flower of Japan. Liyuan and sakura can be deemed as the emblem of our collaboration. Sakura bloom in Liyuan, while lychee red shines in sakura clusters. We believe the exchanges and cooperation between two sides will continue to bring us warm and historic memories in the coming future.
As a Chinese poem reads, "Try to ascend the mountain's crest: it dwarfs all peaks under our feet." May the friendship between China and Japan last for a long time!
