On March 17, Mr. Zhang Heqiang, Director General of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), attended the opening ceremony of Harvard Model United Nations China Conference 2016  co-hosted by CPAFFC and Harvard International Relations Council.

HMUN China builds on decades of experience. In 1927, Harvard held its first annual Model League of Nations, followed by the first Model United Nations Conference in 1953 and the first Model United Nations China conference in 2010.

In his welcome remarks, Director General Zhang Heqiang welcomed students and teachers from around the world. He emphasized the significant contribution the United Nations has made to international development since its founding and encouraged the delegates at HMUN China to actively embody its mission and guiding principles in their own studies and personal development. He also announced that as part of the “Every Woman Every Child” China Partnership Network (CPN), CPAFFC sponsored 5 outstanding students from underprivileged families in Hebei Province to attend HMUN China 2016, granting these students the same opportunity to learn about the United Nations and international affairs while interacting with students of their age from 10 countries across 4 continents.

Secretary-General of HMUN China Mr. RJ Teoh said in his opening remarks that delegates at HMUN China research, debate, negotiate, and work together to draft resolutions that address some of society’s most complex issues, while building skills in public speaking, writing, and teamwork. HMUN China is also the first nation-based spin off of Harvard MUN, with a founding goal of satisfying the desire of Chinese students to participate in Model United Nations and international students to learn about and understand Chinese culture and perspectives on international relations. 

Also attending the opening ceremony were Founder and Chairman of the Chi-Heng Foundation Chung To and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Partners Education Ethan Feng, who made warm remarks on behalf of their organizations. These speeches were followed by an artistic treat brought by the Peking University Acapella Group.