Deadline:
January 05, 2026
Program Starts: April 17, 2025
Program Ends: April 20, 2025
Location(s)
China
The Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) is hosted by the Yenching Academy of Peking University. Past iterations of YGS were held in mainland China, such as in Beijing and Hainan.
Overview
As a flagship event initiated and organized by scholars from the Yenching Academy of Peking University, the Yenching Global Symposium(YGS) is one of the most competitive and influential conferences for diving into China-related topics in the world.
Established in 2016, the Yenching Global Symposium(YGS) aims to provide a platform for emerging leaders from all over the world to conduct interdisciplinary dialogues on issues related to China. Every year, we’re accepting thousands of applications from over 120 countries and regions. Last year, we received a record-breaking 10,000+ applications!
By inviting you to engage in a conference about China, in China, we hope to hear your voice on China and its place on the world stage. Apart from insightful academic panels with prestigious speakers, we also provide interesting cultural workshops and social activities to make attending YGS one of your most fruitful, exciting, and fun experiences in China and beyond.
Details
Our Impact
Held every spring, the Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) comprises engaging lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on topics surrounding China and the world. Each year, the symposium features prominent and distinguished Chinese and international speakers from a wide range of fields, including esteemed scholars, eminent officeholders, and leading professionals, enabling an interdisciplinary and intercultural gathering of rising global leaders who bear a noted passion for China.
The Symposium’s annual themes are carefully selected by the YGS Executive Committee, endeavoring to capture characteristics that best describe our world today, China today. Past themes include Equilibrium: Our World in Balance,互manity: Cartographies of Collaboration, Shared Renewal: Recoupling East with West, and Wǒmen: Retelling the China Stories, etc.
Harnessing Momentum: The Power to Act in a Changing World
In an era of shifting global dynamics and increased uncertainty amid China’s growing importance, the ability to seize opportunity from changing circumstances, build solidarity across differences, and channel transformation into purposeful action has become the defining skill of nations, institutions, and individuals alike.
YGS 2026 Harnessing Momentum invites delegates to reflect on what it means to turn insight into impact in a rapidly evolving world. Through discussions on diplomacy, economics, technology, and cultural exchange, participants will examine how actors at every level - from nations to individual citizens - can adapt, lead, and implement strategies that generate meaningful real-world impact.
WHY APPKY
We offer ambitious students and young professionals from around the world the opportunity to:
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Engage in constructive dialogue on issues surrounding China and the world.
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Interact with a diverse body of global scholars from leading universities.
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Be inspired by renowned speakers with extensive expertise and experiences from their illustrious careers.
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Learn from practitioners experienced in a wide range of fields including art, history, culture, international relations, politics, and business.
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Share your experiences while collaborating with fellow delegates to construct frameworks for action on China’s most challenging issues and build long-lasting relationships with a community of change-makers.
The Symposium is a platform for connecting leaders that are passionate about China across various disciplines. It will help you interact with inspiring, like-minded peers as well as leading experts who share your interest in China. These interactions will be facilitated by Peking University, China’s top university.
As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences while collaborating with others to generate fruitful exchange on China's most pressing challenges.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility Criteria:
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Born after May 1995
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In the final year of undergraduate studies at the time of application, or already hold a bachelor's degree or higher (no restriction on major);
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Able to fully participate in the forum in mainland China from April 16 to 19, 2026;
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Have not participated in any previous iterations of Yenching Global Symposium
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Fluent in English: Applicants whose undergraduate or graduate education was conducted in a non-English language must provide international English proficiency test scores, meeting one of the following requirements:
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IELTS (Academic): Overall score of at least 7.0;
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TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of at least 100;
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Cambridge English Advanced: Overall score of at least 185;
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CET-6 (College English Test Band 6): Overall score of at least 600;
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TEM-4 (Test for English Majors Band 4): Score of no less than "Good";
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*NOTE: We do not accept Duolingo English Test results
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Dates
Deadline: January 05, 2026
Program starts:
April 17, 2025
Program ends:
April 20, 2025
Program Starts: April 17, 2025
Program Ends: April 20, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
For delegates already in China, YGS will cover all expenses related to the event. For delegates outside of China, we pay for housing, transportation, and food, but we do not pay for visa costs.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
