Regional Dialogue at Peking University Symposium Organised by the Peking University-The Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Centre

On 6 December 2025, Peking University-The Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Centre held an international symposium “From China to ASEAN: Echoes and Resonance in the Development of Social Work”.

During the morning session, Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS, Co-Director of PReCIT, and Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology, presented on “Bridging for Advancement of Social Work Education: Glocalisation of Standards across Belt and Road Regions,” highlighting the blending of global and local standards in social work education. Other invited speakers included Prof. Hua-Yuan TSENG, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Taiwan Changhua University of Education, Prof. Jiangang ZHU, Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University, and Prof. Yuegen XIONG, Department of Sociology, Peking University.

Prof. Ben KU, Professor of APSS and Director of the China and Global Development Network, delivered the closing remarks, offering thoughtful reflections on multiculturalism, localism, and globalism in advancing reconciliatory social work. Discussion followed their presentations, with ASEAN delegates and participating guests exploring ways for universities in Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland to deepen collaboration with other universities to enhance social work education quality in Asia and the Pacific.

In the afternoon, a salon called “New Developments in Children’s Social Policy and Social Work” was held. Prof. Eric CHUI spoke on “Philanthropy-Driven, Evidence-Based Residential Child Care through Cross-Sector Partnerships,” with additional contributions from Prof. Michael SHERRADEN of the Centre for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, USA, and Mr. Houqi ZHANG of UNICEF China.

On 7 December 2025, Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, Former Vice-President (Student and Global Affairs) of PolyU and Honorary Professor of APSS, delivered a talk entitled “Nurturing Talent and Character, A Century of Endeavour, Staying True to Our Original Mission: Innovation and Inheritance in Social Work Education in the Chinese Mainland.”

APSS colleagues continue to pursue dialogue and collaboration in social work across regions.