At the opening ceremony, Kuai Shuguang, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of East China Normal University; Zhang Meifang, Director of the International Exchange Working Committee of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy; and Alberto Blanco Silva, Cuban Ambassador to China, delivered speeches conveying the consensus between China and Global South countries on jointly promoting exchange and cooperation and safeguarding fairness and justice.
Kuai Shuguang, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of East China Normal University, extended a sincere welcome on behalf of the university to guests from around the world. He stated that as global governance reaches a new crossroads where solidarity, exchange, and cooperation among Global South countries have become even more important. In his remark, Director Kuang expressed hope that through this forum, all parties would jointly remember history and create a peaceful future.
Zhang Meifang, Director of the International Exchange Working Committee of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, delivered the opening address. She pointed out that at the important juncture of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Global South countries should review history, grasp the present, and plan for the future together, jointly safeguarding the postwar international order, fairness and justice. She emphasised the need to promote exchange and cooperation between China and Global South countries through think tank cooperation and policy research, and to jointly explore inclusive, just, and sustainable development paths.
Alberto Blanco Silva, Cuban Ambassador to China, delivered a video address highly affirming China’s important contribution as the main eastern battlefield in the World Anti-Fascist War, and emphasising the shared spirit of the Cuban and Chinese peoples in opposing unilateralism and defending national sovereignty. He stated that socialist China has become an important force for global stability, balance, and opportunity, and is also the hope of the Global South, standing united with Global South countries in opposition to hegemony.