The "2023 China Central and Eastern European Forum on Humanities and Cultural Exchange and the Launch Ceremony of the Literature Discipline Construction Community of the China Central and Eastern European Countries Universities Federation" held on September 23, 2023 at Beijing Foreign Studies University was introduced. The forum is jointly organized by the Center for Central and Eastern European Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University and the European Language and Culture Institute, aiming to respond to President Xi Jinping's global civilization initiative and promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries in the field of humanities. The forum theme is "China Central and Eastern European Cultural Exchange and Cooperation", with four parallel sub forums covering topics such as literature, higher education, cultural tourism, and think tank research. Scholars from over 30 universities and think tanks at home and abroad participated in the forum, demonstrating the unique advantages of Beijing Foreign Studies University in promoting international cultural exchange and cooperation.

1 keynote speech

The keynote speech segment of the "China Central and Eastern Europe Forum on People to People Exchange 2023" was introduced. Zhao Gang, Vice President of Beijing Foreign Studies University, emphasized the achievements of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe in the context of the tenth anniversary of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, and introduced the work of the Center. Xia Juan, Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Cultural Exchange Center of the Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of open cooperation. Vice President of Bucharest University in Romania, Muguli, discussed the translation of Chinese literary works in Romania. Luo Lin, Director of the Secretariat for National and Regional Studies of the Ministry of Education, affirmed the achievements of the discipline construction of Beijing Foreign Studies University and called on scholars to contribute to the community with a shared future for mankind. After the opening ceremony, the launching ceremony of the "China Central and Eastern European Countries University Federation Literature Discipline Construction Community" was held, and Deputy Secretary General Zong Wa congratulated and awarded the plaque. Hao Qingxin, Vice President of Roland University in Hungary, and Li Yingying, Vice President of Tianjin Foreign Studies University, respectively introduced the construction of their respective Chinese departments and the achievements of China Central and Eastern European cooperation. Finally, the "Blue Book of Central and Eastern Europe: Report on the Development of Central and Eastern European Countries (2022)" was released. Editor in Chief Yang Qun and Vice President Zhao Gang jointly unveiled it, and Deputy Editor in Chief Lin Wenshuang and Special Representative Huo Yuzhen delivered speeches respectively.

Sub forum on "Literary Research and Exchange between China and Central and Eastern European Countries"

Introduced the academic sharing of the sub forum on "Literary Research and Exchange between China and Central and Eastern European Countries". Professor Ding Chao summarized ten fundamental issues in the study of cultural relations history between China and Central and Eastern European countries. Tomasz Ewertowski analyzed the writings of Polish and Serbian travelers about China. Li Yinan analyzed the transformation of the image of Chinese literature in Poland. Metka Rocar shared her experience of the Slovenia China Poetry Recitation. Nan Lidan sorted out the dissemination of Chinese classical novels in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Pu Shanshan reviewed the translation and introduction of Chinese modern and contemporary novels in Poland. Benjamin Schulz introduced important writers and works of literary exchange between China and Arab countries. Hu Qixin conducted an in-depth analysis of the translation, introduction, and reception of Polish writer Milosz's immigrant literature in China.

Sub forum on "Research and Exchange in Higher Education between China and Central and Eastern European Countries"

Forum 2 focuses on higher education research and exchange between China and Central and Eastern European countries, chaired by Professor Dong Xixiao. Researcher Xu Gang emphasized the use of existing platforms to promote education cooperation, Debreceni Choibao introduced the Hungarian guest teacher network, Associate Professor Majani analyzed the challenges and opportunities of education cooperation, Dean Zhang Haiyan introduced the current situation of international exchanges in vocational education in China, Associate Professor Fang Wei sorted out the history of China Central and Eastern Europe research, and Lecturer Cui Xiaojing analyzed the current situation and problems of China Poland higher education cooperation.

Sub forum on "Research on the Integration of Culture and Tourism Strategies between China and Central and Eastern European Countries"

Forum Three focuses on the cultural and tourism strategy docking between China and Central and Eastern European countries, exploring cultural and artistic carnival activities, tourism cooperation between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina, post pandemic tourism market in Central and Eastern Europe, tourism cooperation between China and Western Balkan countries, cultural and tourism service trade exchanges between China and Central and Eastern European countries, the guiding significance of the Global Civilization Initiative in China Central and Eastern European countries cooperation, as well as the current situation and challenges of cultural exchanges between Ningbo and Central and Eastern European countries.

Sub forum on "Research and Exchange of Think Tanks between China and Central and Eastern European Countries"

The sub forum on "Research and Exchange of Think Tanks between China and Central and Eastern European Countries" was introduced, chaired by Zhu Xiaozhong, and brought together several experts. Experts discussed the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries in various fields such as economy, culture, and politics under geopolitical changes. Liu Zuokui analyzed the classification of Central and Eastern European countries and the perspective of great power games. Vojislav Pavlovic explored the political game in the Western Balkans. Gao Xiaochuan observes China Central and Eastern European cooperation from a macro international political perspective. Bai Yiwei reviewed the cooperation between China and Croatia since the outbreak of the epidemic. Song Lilei shared the mechanism of high-level cultural exchange and dialogue between China and Europe. Wang Chunyan presented the research results on the changes in Croatian cultural values. Qin Fangxing analyzed the image of China in Europe and the current research status of cultural relations between China and Central and Eastern Europe.

6 Conclusion

This forum highlights the disciplinary advantages of Beijing Foreign Studies University in cross-cultural communication, humanistic communication, and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of humanistic communication and cooperation in foreign exchanges. It is believed that it is an important way to promote mutual learning among civilizations, enhance strategic awareness, and bridge strategic differences. The forum has enhanced China's soft power in external communication and become an important academic topic. The forum brings together think tank scholars and civil society organizations from China and Central and Eastern European countries, conveying each other's voices and building a lasting, stable, open, and people to people channel for cultural exchange and dialogue. However, the forum also faces some challenges, such as the interruption of cultural mobility during the epidemic, and the pressure on political relations between China and Central and Eastern European countries caused by changes in the international environment, which is transmitted to the field of cultural exchanges. In the future, it is necessary to conduct research on theoretical sublimation and friend circle expansion, summarize the experience of previous forums, develop a theory of foreign cultural exchange with Chinese characteristics, use theory to guide practice, feedback practice, and narrow the spiritual distance between China and the target countries in Central and Eastern Europe.