From June 15 to August 8, 2025, the Center for American Studies at Fudan University （CAS Fudan） welcomed two professors (Joyce Chaplin and Erez Manela), two PhD teaching assistants, and 13 undergraduate students from Harvard University for the Fudan-Harvard Summer School 2025. Over the course of nearly two months, participants attended two academic courses at the Center and engaged in practical learning experiences, including visits to Fudan Origin cultural zone (Fudan History Museum, Fudan Art Museum, and Fudan Museum), the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art, and the China Tea Museum in Hangzhou.

The summer school officially opened on June 16 with a ceremony hosted by Professor Wu Xinbo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies and Director of the CAS Fudan. Professor Wu warmly welcomed the Harvard faculty and students, highlighting the long-term significance of cultural exchanges between Chinese and American students, particularly amidst the current strategic competition between the U.S. and China. This exchange, he emphasized, plays a vital role in improving China-U.S. relations. Professor Joyce Chaplin from Harvard University and Dorinda Elliott, Executive Director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and shared their excitement for the program. Xu Yefang, Deputy Director of Fudan University’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, also highlighted the historical ties and ongoing collaboration between Fudan and Harvard.

*(Photo: Professor Wu Xinbo hosting the opening ceremony and delivering his speech)*

*(Photo: Fudan-Harvard Summer School 2025 opening ceremony)*

*(Photo: Professor Wu Xinbo leading Harvard faculty and students on a tour of the academic exhibit at the CAS Fudan)*

*(Photo: Group photo of attendees at the Fudan-Harvard Summer School 2025 opening ceremony)*

On June 18, the Harvard University Shanghai Center hosted a welcome dinner. Fudan University Vice President Professor Zhou Lei, Professor Wu Xinbo, Director of the Institute of International Studies, Su Kui, Director of the International Students Office, Zhang Di, Deputy Director of the Lifelong Education Office, and other faculty members from the CAS Fudan attended the event.

*(Photo: Group photo of Fudan and Harvard faculty and students at the welcome dinner)*

As the summer school concluded, a farewell dinner was held on the evening of August 7 to bid farewell to the Harvard faculty and students. Brooke Spelman, Director of the Public Affairs and Cultural Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, and Clare Orvis, Director of the Economic and Political Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, were invited to attend. Professor Wu Xinbo, as the Chinese lead coordinator of the summer school, hosted the dinner and delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of China-U.S. cultural exchanges. He encouraged faculty and students to continue contributing to mutual understanding between the two countries and reaffirmed Fudan University’s commitment to maintaining collaborative relationships with Harvard and other U.S. institutions. Professor Erez Manela of Harvard University expressed his gratitude for the support of the CAS Fudan, noting that the program had deepened American and international students' understanding of China and broadened their global perspectives. He expressed hope that more Harvard students would have the opportunity to engage in exchanges with China in the future. Brooke Spelman also addressed the dinner, emphasizing that student exchanges between the two countries are essential for fostering better relations.

*(Photo: Professor Wu Xinbo delivering a speech at the farewell dinner)*

*(Photo: Professor Erez Manela speaking at the farewell dinner)*

*(Photo: Brooke Spelman, Director of the Public Affairs and Cultural Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, speaking at the farewell dinner)*

*(Photo: Group photo of Fudan and Harvard faculty and students at the farewell dinner)*

During the farewell dinner, international students shared their experiences in China in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the CAS Fudan for their thoughtful arrangements.

The summer school concluded on August 8, with Harvard faculty and students departing for the U.S., having gained valuable knowledge and received warm wishes from Fudan faculty and students. As President Xi Jinping has said, “The hope for China-U.S. relations lies with the people, the foundation lies with the people-to-people exchanges, the future lies with the youth, and the vitality lies with local cooperation.” The CAS Fudan is committed to fostering China-U.S. youth exchanges and plays an important role in the stability and development of China-U.S. relations by nurturing future generations of young leaders.