On December 2, the "International Philanthropy for Global Prosperity and Cooperation" thematic forum concluded in Guangzhou. This high - profile event was a key component of this year's Understanding China Conference, concentrating on the role of philanthropy in global development. 

Co-organized by the Wu Jianmin Foundation and the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center of Peking University, and co-sponsored by the Beijing Royal Charity Foundation and the Beijing Understanding China Foundation on Economic and Social Development, the event gathered distinguished guests from diverse sectors, including former international political leaders, heads of Chinese and foreign charitable organizations, education experts, and representatives of international organizations.

The thematic forum centered on two primary topics: Opportunities and Challenges of China's Internationalization of Philanthropy, and International Philanthropic Cooperation and the Practice of International Understanding.

Dr. Qinghong Wang, Executive director of the China - Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center of Peking University, opened the thematic forum. In his remarks, he noted that "The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century." Within this context, he emphasized that promoting a harmonious world of peace and cooperation is both a historical opportunity and a real-world challenge. 

"International philanthropy can transcend borders and cultures," Dr. Wang Qinghong noted, underscoring its unique capacity to serve as a universal language for positive change. He expressed confidence that philanthropy can become a key driver for advancing global initiatives and an essential bond in deepening international understanding and promoting harmonious coexistence.

Dr. Qinghong Wang also pointed out that China’s revised Charity Law offers new momentum for this global engagement, providing dual opportunities from both policy incentives and practical innovation for the internationalization of Chinese philanthropy.

Mr. Wei Feng, Executive Vice Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy and Chairman of the Wu Jianmin Foundation, delivered remarks at the opening ceremony, underscoring the historic significance of this year's forum. 

"This is the first time we're featuring international philanthropy cooperation as a topic, and I believe it's high time we did so." Mr. Wei Feng said.

"China is committed to peaceful development. We aspire to achieve collective peaceful rise with all Global South countries, while also supporting the peaceful renewal of developed nations," he stated. "I believe international philanthropy cooperation is an integral part of China’s efforts to pursue collective peaceful rise and promote global peaceful development."

He added, "As the theme of this year's UCC indicates, China’s peaceful rise has reached a new historical juncture. Taking the 15th Five-Year Plan as a milestone, China is stepping into a new era of high - quality development and high-standard opening-up."

According to Mr. Wei Feng, philanthropy will play an irreplaceable role in this transition. "Philanthropic and public welfare initiatives will serve as a vital driving force for China's high - quality development, exerting an irreplaceable role in key areas including regulating income distribution, safeguarding people's well-being, and advancing social governance," he said.

In his keynote address, Prof. Romano Prodi—Former Prime Minister of Italy, Former President of the European Commission, and Honorary-Co Chair of the China - Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center of Peking University—stressed that international philanthropy has emerged as a "stabilizing force" in a time of geopolitical turbulence. "In this context, philanthropy becomes more than a charitable gesture," he declared. "It becomes a strategic necessity. We need philanthropy as an integral part of the global system."

Highlighting the transformative power of cross - border collaboration, Prof. Romano Prodi noted: "Italy - China cooperation has demonstrated that philanthropy can be a gateway to deeper social understanding, even when political dialogues face difficulties." He cited the China-Italy Philanthropy Forum as concrete evidence, observing that "these initiatives have already demonstrated how people-to-people charitable exchanges can effectively deepen bilateral relations."

Prof. Romano Prodi also highlighted the establishment of the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center at Peking University as a milestone. "This center is not merely an academic institution. It is an action platform—an instrument for building durable cooperation at a time when it is urgently needed," he stated.

Emphasizing cultural synergy, Prof. Romano Prodi asserted: "China - Europe philanthropic cooperation must be rooted in mutual civilizational learning, achieving synergy through 'harmony in diversity.'" He called on the China - Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center at Peking University to advance academic programs and cultivate global philanthropic leaders, urging stakeholders to "harness philanthropy as a bridge, building consensus, strengthening collaboration, and injecting enduring momentum into the vision of a harmonious and cooperative world." 

Concluding with determination, he added: "Let us build a philanthropic partnership worthy of our shared responsibilities and aspirations."

Mr. Thierry Meignen, Senator of the French Senate and Majority Leader of the Municipal Council of Le Blanc - Mesnil, also gave a keynote address and offered a diplomatic perspective. He described charitable cooperation as a form of "soft power" to ease geopolitical tensions.

Two vibrant panel discussions followed. The first explored the Opportunities and Challenges of China's Internationalization of Philanthropy. Ms. Sonia Yan Song, the Chairperson of the Beijing Jingyan Foundation, delivered the keynote speech on the theme of "Uniting Family Philanthropy for a Healthier China."

Speakers at the session emphasized the necessity for platforms that facilitate dialogue and magnify impact. Mr. Ben Niu, Honorary Chairman and Founder of Laoniu Brother & Sister Foundation; Ms. Asyia Kazmi, CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE); Ms. Carol Xiaoqing Yang, Vice President and China Chief Representative of Give2Asia; and Ms. Angel Wang, Deputy Secretary - General (Mainland Affairs) of the Institute of Philanthropy participated in the discussion.

During the panel discussion, Dr. Giorgio Prodi, an Associate Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Ms. Yuping Hu, the Secretary - General of the Heungkong Charitable Foundation; and Mr. Yuxin Xia, a Board Director of the Beijing Sunvalley Charity Foundation, shared insights from their professional practices. They proposed a cooperation model that combines "localized adaptation with international standards", reaching multiple constructive consensuses on advancing cross-border philanthropy. The session was moderated by Ms. Zhang Rui, the Secretary General of the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center of Peking University.

The second panel focused on international philanthropic cooperation and the practice of international understanding. Panelists such as Ms. Pan Jun, the Vice Chairperson and CEO of Fazheng Group, the Chairperson of Beijing Royal Charity Foundation, and a Board Member and Steering Committee Vice President of FWE, highlighted the role of education. Participants advocated for using youth exchange as a bridge and establishing regular dialogue platforms.

Mr. Jianjun CEN, Chairman of the Study Abroad Services Committee of the China Education Association for International Exchange, Former Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education, and Former Minister- Counselor for Education of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., pointed out that in the context of globalization, all relevant stakeholders should work together to address global common challenges.

Mr. Yongli WANG, Vice President of the China Education Association for International Exchange, Former Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, and Former Minister-Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom, believes that genuine international understanding is reflected in long - term cultural adaptation, language integration, and identity formation.

Representatives from the Beijing and Dalian campuses of Royal School, foreign teachers Mr. Joseph Christopher BYRNE and Mr. Thomas Anthony BORK, participated in the discussions.

Guests including Mr. Bo HAN, Deputy Mayor of Le Blanc - Mesnil, France; Ms. Xinyuan ZHANG, Director of the United Nations Peace University in the China Region and President of the Leadership and Sustainable Development Institute; and Prof. Xiaoyang WANG, Director of the Research Institute of International Education South - South Cooperation, combined cases of Sino - foreign educational cooperation and local government philanthropic exchanges to call for the establishment of a regular international philanthropic dialogue platform. 

The round - table session was moderated by Ms. Lin WANG, Secretary - General of the Wu Jianmin Foundation.

In closing, Dr. Wang Qinghong summarized the thematic forum with four keywords: understanding, innovation, action, and persistence.

The thematic forum concluded with broad consensus. Attendees agreed to establish supportive systems for global philanthropy, promote cross - cultural understanding through education, and develop replicable cooperation models in key fields such as ecology and public health.

Organizers pledged to translate these insights into action, providing practical pathways to support the internationalization of Chinese philanthropy.