On January 20, 2026, a delegation led by Xiao Kai, President of East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL), visited the Institute for International and Area Studies (IIAS) at Tsinghua University to conduct discussions on the cultivation of talent in foreign-related legal studies and area studies.

During the meeting, Xiao Kai introduced ECUPL’s recent initiatives and experiences in cultivating professionals in foreign-related legal affairs, highlighting the growing importance of area studies in advancing research and education in this field. He also shared perspectives on talent development in area studies and engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including faculty recruitment and disciplinary development planning.

Cheng Xi, Deputy Director of Tsinghua University’s Office of Liberal Arts Development, introduced the university’s support and strategic emphasis on area studies. He Xuebing, Deputy Director of the Institute, and Lu Nan, Tenured Associate Professor at the School of Law, shared insights into the development of area studies discipline and talent cultivation at Tsinghua.

Participants also held extensive discussions on developing area studies talent oriented toward national strategic needs and characterized by long-term fieldwork research.

The ECUPL delegation also included Ji Kuiming, Director of the Human Resources Office, and Lu Yufeng, Director of the Research Office. Young faculty members and senior doctoral students from IIAS also participated in the meeting.