President Xi Jinping has encouraged young sinologists to present a true, multidimensional and panoramic image of China to the world, and serve as messengers to promote mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
From November 14 to 16, the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping made the remarks in a reply letter to 61 young sinologists from 51 countries, who had written to him prior to the event.
Among the recipients of the letter were two young sinologists from Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU): Dr. Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, a Thai alumnus, and AHMED ALKUHALI, a Yemeni doctoral student.
Dr. Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee: Bridging China and Thailand through expertise
Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, a doctoral graduate from the School of Tourism Management of SYSU, currently serves as the director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative.
He has long been dedicated to facilitating intellectual exchange between the two nations. His notable contributions include working on the Thai version of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" and co-authoring the "Blue Book of Thailand: Annual Report on the Research of Thailand (2018)". Through his academic expertise, he has built a vital bridge of communication between China and Thailand.
Dr. Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee presents the Thai version of "Key Words to Understand China: The Belt and Road Initiative" to Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Reflecting on the letter, Dr. Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee expressed deep motivation. "President Xi's reply is not only a form of encouragement but also a spiritual force that motivates me to forge ahead," he said. "I will take this as a new starting point to continuously improve myself, contribute more wisdom and action to advancing sinology, and promote mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations."
AHMED ALKUHALI: China-Yemen friendship in action
AHMED ALKUHALI is a third-year doctoral student at the School of Tourism Management. In addition to his studies, he serves as a Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in China, and the President of the Yemen Students Union in China.
As an active promoter of bilateral friendship, AHMED ALKUHALI has worked tirelessly to attract Yemeni talent to China, sharing application tips for the China Studies Program (CSP) and study experience at SYSU. To help his compatriots adapt to life in China, he has organized lectures on Chinese law, culture, and language. During SYSU's centennial celebration and the 20th anniversary of the School of Tourism Management, he served as a bilingual volunteer, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue through thoughtful service.
AHMED ALKUHALI shares insights into Chinese law, culture, and language with his compatriots, helping them to adapt to life at SYSU.
Upon receiving the reply, AHMED ALKUHALI said he felt deeply honored. "I am grateful for the academic and exchange platforms provided by the university," he stated. "Looking ahead, I will embrace the mission of bridging civilizations. I plan to integrate the spirit of President Xi's message into my academic research and cross-cultural exchanges, striving to present a panoramic image of China to the world and contribute to global cultural cooperation."
Cultivating global talent: China Studies Program at SYSU
Both sinologists are recipients for the China Studies Program (CSP), a doctoral fellowship launched by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education. The program includes two categories: the China Ph.D. Fellowship and the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship.
As a key participating institution, SYSU has made significant progress in implementing the program since 2013. To date, the university has enrolled a total of 64 international students from 28 countries through this initiative.
HEENA RATHORE (second from the left), a Pakistani doctoral student pursuing her studies at SYSU through the China Studies Program (CSP), participates in the 2025 World Conference on Sinology.
As SYSU embarks on its next century of academic excellence, it remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate global leaders. By empowering sinologists like Feng Zhiwei and Mu Di, the university continues to serve as a vibrant hub where the world meets China, fostering a future defined by open dialogue, deep understanding, and shared prosperity.
We look forward to welcoming more aspiring students from across the globe who are ready to explore the complexities of China and champion the cause of cross-cultural friendship.
Source: SYSU Global Communication Office, School of Tourism Management, Office of International Students' Affairs, Xinhua News, Yangcheng Evening News
Writer: Feng Xianzhe, Huang Yue, Shen Jialin
Designer: Wang Xuchen
