EdUHK Hosts “Ambassadors Talk on Campus”
Veteran Chinese Diplomats Share Firsthand Stories from the Frontlines of Diplomacy
To broaden students’ global perspectives and deepen their understanding of national diplomatic affairs, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted a lecture entitled ‘Ambassadors Talk on Campus’ on 31 October. The event featured two distinguished Chinese diplomats - Ambassador Luo Linquan and Ambassador Sun Gongyi - who shared their personal experiences and insights on major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. The event drew an audience of hundreds of faculty members and students, whose active participation and thoughtful questions created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. EdUHK has also arranged live streaming of the event to enable real-time viewing by students and teachers from three local secondary schools.
Co-hosted with the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) – renowned as the ‘The Cradle of Chinese Diplomats’ – the event was graced by honourable guests including EdUHK Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar, and representatives from the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and representatives from CFAU.
In his welcome remarks, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin expressed heartfelt gratitude to the visiting ambassadors. He said, “Diplomacy is a profound discipline that safeguards national interests while reflecting a nation’s civilisational values and confidence in system, as well as strategic foresight and global vision in navigating the complexities of international relations. I am deeply grateful to both ambassadors for taking time from their demanding schedules to visit EdUHK and share their invaluable experiences and insights with our students. This occasion offers a rich academic and intellectual experience to deepen our understanding of diplomatic wisdom and its role in national development.”
Both Ambassador Luo and Ambassador Sun have decades of diplomatic experience. Ambassador Luo currently serves as Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association. His previous roles include Consul General (Ambassadorial Rank) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in San Francisco, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece and Ireland, Director-General of the Protocol Department of the MFA, Counsellor at the Office of the Commissioner of the MFA in the Hong Kong, and Vice Consul at the Chinese Consulate General in New York.
Ambassador Sun has spent much of his career in the Department of African Affairs at the MFA in various diplomatic postings across Africa. He has served as the department’s Director-General-level Counsellor and as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PRC to Mauritius.
During the lecture, Ambassador Luo delivered a talk titled ‘Insights into Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs: Firsthand Diplomatic Experiences’, covering key diplomatic principles and protocol nuances. Drawing on his extensive career, he recounted memorable moments and the strategies he deployed in navigating complex diplomatic scenarios – most notably, China’s largest overseas evacuation during the Libyan civil war in 2011. At the time, the Chinese Embassy in Greece swiftly obtained clearance from the Greek government, enabling the deployment of three cruise ships, 131 chartered flights, and over 700 coaches, which led to the successful evacuation of 13,185 Chinese nationals to the island of Crete. Through this example, Ambassador Luo illustrated the government’s people-first philosophy, highlighting the principle of people-centered diplomacy and valuing the prioritisation of human life, offering the audience a deeper appreciation of how empathy and formality intersect in the practice of Chinese diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Sun’s presentation - ‘The Theory and Practice of Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future’, focused on China’s evolving diplomatic engagement with Africa. He highlighted the practical implementation of his vision during his tenure in Mauritius, where he helped advance bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative- culminating in China becoming Mauritius’ largest trading partner.
The Q&A session, moderated by Ms Helen Gai Huixia, Associate Vice President (Mainland Engagement and Development) of EdUHK, featured dynamic exchanges between students and the ambassadors. Topics ranged from contemporary Chinese diplomatic strategies and major-power relations in the new era to the Belt and Road initiative and Hong Kong’s future role in global diplomacy.
EdUHK remains committed to promoting national and civic education, fostering patriotism, and cultivating global perspectives among its students and faculty. In March, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with the CFAU to jointly establish the Institute for International Relations of The Education University of Hong Kong. This collaboration aims to enhance research in international relations and strengthen education in Chinese foreign affairs. The "Ambassadors Talk on Campus” lecture marks a significant milestone in this partnership, injecting fresh momentum into EdUHK's academic development and further contributing to the advancement of international relations research and diplomatic education in Hong Kong and beyond.
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EdUHK Hosts “Ambassadors Talk on Campus” Veteran Chinese Diplomats Share Firsthand Stories from the Frontlines of Diplomacy
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