While tensions in the region tend to make the headlines, more and more Chinese, Japanese and South Korean students are opting for dialogue over division. At Peking University, the CAMPUS Asia program is bringing young minds together to learn, make friends and dispel stereotypes. Our correspondent Li Shuang has the story.
At Peking University, Chinese, Japanese and South Korean students room and study together in a special cross-border exchange program.
FAN SHIMING Professor of International Relations, Peking University "CAMPUS Asia began in 2012 through cooperative agreements between China's, Japan's, and South Korea's education ministries. Entering its third phase, the initiative now involves Southeast Asian institutions. Over 70 universities and 7,200 students from East Asia have been involved". The program is more than intellectual benefit, however. For students, it's diversity and world view.
HAKYENG AN South Korean Student, Peking University "I am studying international relations. Expanding my scope was very important. In Korea, I studied mainly the trilateral relationship between China, Japan, and Korea. But here, I can study much more than that. I can study China-India relations, China-Tanzania relations".
LIN ITO Japanese Student, Peking University "I think the students are very diverse. The diversity is a little bit different from the environment I could have in the University of Tokyo. Because (here) there are a lot more African students, or students from Europe. And (I'm able to) gain more insights from them."
LI SHUANG Beijing "Students here study a range of subjects such as international relations, literature, and public policy. And many say what they learn outside the classroom about identity, empathy, and connection is just as important."
MAEZAWA TATSUYUKI Japanese Student, Peking University "Some individuals that I met here enjoy discussing social activities that take place in China because they possess large empathy. It's made me to pay more attention to the society, to how we as a community can become better".
HAKYENG AN South Korean Student, Peking University "Since I came to Beijing, I've come to understand that we have so much more in common than I had thought before". The program aims to cultivate the next generation of East Asian leaders. Professor Fan says empathy and cross-cultural understanding are key factors to assist this goal.
FAN SHIMING Professor of International Relations, Peking University "I think the CAMPUS Asia initiative has been a highlight of China-Japan-Korea cooperation over the past decade. It's a successful case study with subtle but long-lasting impact on the region".
And maybe, through shared conversation and experience, these next-generation leaders are building a firmer foundation for regional cooperation. Li Shuang, CGTN, Beijing.
