(30 June 2025)

On the morning of 30 June 2025, the opening ceremony of the 9th Youth Innovation Competition on Lancang – Mekong Region’s Governance and Development was held at the Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centre in Hanoi.

The event was organized by Fudan University (China) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNUHN), with support from regional institutions including the Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia), National University of Laos, University of Yangon (Myanmar), Prince of Songkla University (Thailand), Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Qinghai University (China), among others. Sunwah Innovations, a subsidiary of Sunwah Group, served as a key partner and sponsor, actively involved in event planning.

The 9th Youth Innovation Competition on Lancang – Mekong Region’s Governance and Development

The annual Lancang – Mekong Youth Innovation Competition brings together youth from the six Lancang – Mekong countries, aiming to harness young talent to promote regional governance and sustainable development. Since its inception, it has held eight successful editions, drawing thousands of participants and producing impactful projects in areas such as water resource management, ecological protection, and cross-border cooperation. This year’s theme, “Equity and Quality in Education,” encouraged university teams to address educational challenges within the Lancang – Mekong region, fostering innovative projects linked to youth exchange and practical platforms, and further promoting regional youth cooperation.

More than 150 representatives and guests from government agencies, universities, research institutes, and social organizations across the six Lancang – Mekong countries attended the opening. Distinguished attendees included: Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam; Mr. Zheng Dawei, Education Counselor, Embassy of China in Vietnam; Dr. Qian Haihong, Deputy Party Secretary, Fudan University; Associate Professor Dao Thanh Truong, Vice President, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHN.

Leaders from several other universities and research institutes were also present. Additionally, Mr. Wang Dexin, Counselor for Asian Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Chinese Secretariat for Lancang – Mekong Cooperation, delivered remarks via video, affirming the competition’s significance and positive regional impact.

In his address, Mr. Jesse Choi, Regional Director of Sunwah Group (ASEAN) and CEO of Sunwah Innovations, emphasized that the Lancang – Mekong region is among Asia’s most dynamic and promising areas, and that youth play a vital role in driving regional cooperation and sustainable development. He remarked that the youth competition has become a hallmark event under the Lancang – Mekong cooperation framework, fostering platforms for idea exchange and project incubation, and inspiring youth engagement in regional governance and innovation.

Mr. Jesse Choi, Regional Director of Sunwah Group (ASEAN)

As a international conglomerate with deep roots in Vietnam, Sunwah Group has consistently prioritized collaboration in education, culture, and technological innovation. Over the years, the Group has partnered with Vietnam National University and Fudan University on student exchanges, scientific research, and youth entrepreneurship. Mr. Choi assured that Sunwah Group and Sunwah Innovations will continue to support youth innovation and China – Vietnam cultural and academic exchanges, contributing to a more open, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable Lancang – Mekong partnership.

During the event, a delegation from Fudan University led by Dr. Qian Haihong held discussion with Mr. Jesse Choi and Ms. Le Thu Lua, Sunwah’s Hanoi Chief representative. The dialogue focused on strengthening cooperation mechanisms between Fudan University and Sunwah Group and expanding educational exchange and joint training programs with Vietnamese universities.

Dr. Qian expressed gratitude to Sunwah Group and Chairman Jonathan Choi for their steadfast support of Fudan University, noting that hosting the event at the Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centre reflects the deep, ongoing cooperation among Fudan, VNUHN, and Sunwah. She praised the global network of Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Centres for fostering international cultural and educational exchange, particularly highlighting the Hanoi centre’s role in China – Vietnam collaboration across the humanities, education, and youth sectors. Dr. Qian expressed hope for continued Sunwah support to enable Fudan University’s deeper cooperation with major Vietnamese universities, across humanities, high technologies, biology, engineering, and artificial intelligence.