（The scene of the conference being held）
To thoroughly explore the pivotal role, historical contributions, and contemporary missions of overseas Chinese in global politics, the the School of International Relations/Research School of Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University, and Somkhit, together with the Center for Overseas Chinese Studies of Xiamen University and the Journal of Contemporary China, co-hosted the academic symposium Chinese Diaspora and World Politics on November 1–2, 2025. Centered on the theme of "Overseas Chinese and World Politics", the event brought together scholars and experts from China, the United States, Singapore, Canada, Australia and other countries. They conducted in-depth discussions on topics including overseas Chinese and global governance, overseas Chinese and China-foreign relations, as well as the political identity and transnational networks of overseas Chinese
（President Gao Yanjie delivered the opening speech）
At the opening ceremony, Professor Gao Yanjie, Dean of the School of International Relations/Research School of Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University, and Somkhit, extended a warm welcome to all participating scholars and experts. He pointed out that as a vital bridge connecting China and the rest of the world, overseas Chinese are exerting a profound impact on the international political landscape, economic flows and cultural exchanges, with their influence extending extensively to diplomacy, science and technology, economy and trade, education and other fields. Professor Gao emphasized that with its profound historical origins and long-standing academic tradition in overseas Chinese studies, Xiamen University serves as an ideal platform for this academic symposium. He expressed the hope that the event would spark new ideas, pool wisdom from all quarters, and conduct in-depth exploration of the diverse characteristics and multiple voices of the overseas Chinese community, as well as their important role on the global stage.
（Professor Zhao Suisheng delivered a speech themed "Chinese Americans in the Context of China-U.S. Strategic Competition"）
In the keynote speech session, Professor Zhao Suisheng, a tenured professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, USA, and Director of the Center for China-U.S. Cooperation, delivered a speech themed "Chinese Americans in the Context of China-U.S. Strategic Competition". He conducted an in-depth analysis of the origins, evolution, structural characteristics and far-reaching impacts of systemic discrimination against Chinese and Asian Americans in contemporary American society from both historical and realistic perspectives. Professor Zhao pointed out that the resurgence of anti-Chinese racism in contemporary America is a byproduct of the shift in China-U.S. relations from cooperation to competition, rooted in the structural anxieties of American politics. He stressed that racial prejudice not only runs counter to the egalitarian values advocated by the United States, but also gravely undermines America’s own national interests. Discriminatory practices weaken the country’s ability to attract global talents and impair the international competitiveness of its scientific research ecosystem and higher education sector. He further noted that in the face of such challenges, the political consciousness of the Chinese American community is constantly growing. In recent years, the intensification of anti-discrimination movements, legislative initiatives and political participation has demonstrated the positive actions and collective awakening of Chinese Americans in striving for civil rights and voice in the public discourse. Professor Zhao concluded by emphasizing that the only way to truly curb racial discrimination and uphold America’s democratic and innovative vitality is to promote the development of China-U.S. relations along a rational, equal and sustainable track.
（Professor Li Mingjiang delivered a speech）
Over the two-day symposium, more than 30 scholars and experts engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the geopolitical role and transnational agency of diaspora groups, diaspora governance and transnational interactions, the political construction of diaspora images, and the digital identities of diaspora communities. Participants shared their latest research findings from the perspectives of theoretical frontiers, empirical studies and policy practices, systematically examined the diverse pathways and evolutionary logic of the interactions between overseas Chinese and global politics, and jointly looked forward to future directions for cooperation. This symposium further promoted interdisciplinary exchanges and dialogues in overseas Chinese studies, with a wealth of innovative perspectives emerging amid the collision of ideas.
（Group photo of the participants attending the meeting）
