The Fourth Taihe Civilizations Forum

Background

 

It is noted in the I Ching, or Book of Changes, a Chinese ancient classics, that “maintaining Taihe will help develop everything smoothly.” That said, Taihe stands for a supreme harmony. Such harmony can be achieved through coordination and collaboration among all things and the unity of their nature. Taihe symbolizes the ancient wisdom of life which guides people to rediscover the true meaning of their world. The purpose of Taihe is to obtain continuous wisdom and momentum through the creation of common values.

Nowadays, lack of Taihe seriously challenges contemporary human civilizations. Rapid technological development, climate change and environmental degradation, uneven wealth distribution, and geopolitical tensions are some of the significant threats undermining our common values and civilizations. Human civilizations may fall into the abyss without gathering wisdoms and taking actions.

 

Objectives and Participants

 

The Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) has been initiated to engage global leaders of all fields in supporting "the harmonious development of common values and the advancement of human civilization." The TCF focuses on global and regional challenges, explores root causes, identifies and promotes possible solutions, as well as facilitates communication and impacts creation across borders.

Forum Principles

The TCF follows four principles to define the research agenda, guide its work and actions, and effectively contribute to the overall Forum objectives:

• Impartiality: maintaining a diverse, open, also rigorous mindset and aligned actions;
• Globality: fostering international participation and collaboration;
• Foresight: focusing on far-reaching trends and long-term solutions;
• Impact: transforming insights into actions and impacts.

Previous Event Review

The first Taihe Civilizations Forum was held in Beijing from August 25th to 27th, 2017, focusing on advancing human civilizations and developing common values. Approximately one hundred leading experts from business, governmental, international organizations, and academic sector gathered together to discuss on the topics such as people-to-people exchange, climate change and sustainable development, and artificial intelligence.

Keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of 2017 TCF included:

Boping GU, member of the National Committee of CPPCC, and the Chief Cultural Scholar of Taihe Institute;
Thorsten Jelinek, Director of the European Center of Taihe Institute;
Hailong WU, President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs;
Stephen Orlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations;
Hongjun YU, former Vice Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee;
Cheng Li, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center and Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy program at Brookings Institution;
Liru CUI, Senior Advisor and Researcher of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations;
Yifan DING, former Deputy Director of the Institute of World Development, Development Research Center of the State Council.

About 2020 TCF

 

The fourth Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) will be held from September 6th to 12th, 2020. This forum will continue the theme of “Science Culture · Future Ethics · Common Values”, where we will gather for an in-depth discussion on these critical topics.

Since its foundation in 2017, the forum has become an influential international exchange platform bringing together approximately 800 leading experts from, among many others, governmental and academic sectors from China and abroad. The forum provides a constructive environment for extensive, in-depth, and forward-looking discussions on a number of important issues, such as the continuing development of a harmonious and sustainable human society.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic is not under complete control, the forum will be held online in order to facilitate a convenient and safe attendance of all participants. The 2020 TCF will comprise four sessions: International Relations, Advanced Technology, Education and Culture, and Youth Dialogue, with a focus on three themes as follow, “China-US Relations and Its Impact on the World”; “Maintaining Global Biosecurity via Emerging Science and Technology and Innovative Mechanisms”; and “Construct the Spectrum of Vocational Ability of Future Talents”. The forum will be held in a flexible and interactive way to encourage and facilitate communication and ensure a richer output.

 

Sub-session on International Relations

 

Theme: China-U.S. relations and its impact on the world

I. Can China-U.S. relations be “restarted” after the 2020 U.S. presidential election?
II. To what extent will China and the U.S. “decouple” and how will this affect China, the U.S. and the world?
III. How to perceive China-U.S. relations at present and that in the future?

 

Sub-session on Education and Culture

 

Theme: Construct the spectrum of vocational ability of future talents

I. Major changes of countries in their vocational qualification framework;
II. The construction and identification of the ability spectrum of novel vocational talents;
III. Bridge-building for multilateral cooperation.
 

Sub-session on Advanced Technology

 

Theme: Maintaining global biosecurity through emerging science, technology and innovative mechanisms

I. Key technologies requiring breakthroughs in biosecurity;
II. How to build efficient early warning mechanisms for biosecurity;
III. How to strengthen the ability of social control and governance in the period of biological crisis;
IV. Scientific and technological ethics and legal issues in the field of biosecurity.

 

Youth Dialogue Session: AGORA: TAIHE VISION

 

1.Voices of the Youth on the Belt and Road

2.Cultivation of young talents and the future of work