Profile of Prof. Wu Jianmin

Prof. Wu Jianmin is Vice Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, Honorary President of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, and has held many other positions.

Over a diplomatic career spanning four decades, Prof. Wu was Director General of the Information Department and Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to France, and the President of China Foreign Affairs University.

From 2003 to 2007, Prof. Wu served as the President of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, making him the first Chinese, the first Asian and the first person from a developing country to take up this important post.

Prof. Wu has been deeply committed to education in China and has shown great concern for and dedication to UIC. In 2010, he was the guest speaker at the high table dinner at the College. In 2011, Prof. Wu represented the China Education Advisory Committee in its assessment visit to UIC. He praised UIC highly for its experiment in education and encouraged it to explore and innovate as a pioneer in higher education in China.

A Citation for Honorary Fellow Professor Wu Jianmin

Professor Wu Jianmin is Vice Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, a Fellow of the China Education Reform Advisory Committee, Special Researcher of Counselors' Office of the State Council, Chairman of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, Member and Vice President of the European Academy of Sciences, President of the Centre of International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, and Honorary President of the International Bureau of Exhibitions.

Professor Wu was a graduate of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, majoring in French. He has served as an interpreter in French for the People's Republic of China leadership, most notably for Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai. He was a member of China's first delegation to the United Nations. Over a diplomatic career spanning four decades, Professor Wu was Counselor at the China Mission to the United Nations and the Political Counselor at China's Embassy in Belgium and Mission to the European Community in Brussels. He was also Director General of the Information Department and Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Moreover, Professor Wu has been China's Ambassador to the Netherlands, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and to other international organisations in Switzerland and China's Ambassador to France. He was the Executive Vice President of China National Association for International Studies.

After completing an exemplary diplomatic career, Prof. Wu served as the President of China Foreign Affairs University from 2003 to 2008. The University is endowed with a well-deserved reputation as a “cradle for diplomats”. Prof. Wu led all the faculty members and students to confront realistically a rapidly changing world. He is committed to upholding traditional values as well as exploring new frontiers of knowledge. As an innovator in his field, Prof. Wu has designed curricula, including “Case Studies in Diplomacy,” and “Contemporary Chinese Consuls.” He has also taught a course in “Art of Communication”. In 2006, he wrote a book, Diplomacy and International Relations: Wu Jianmin's Perspective — a collection of his seminal essays and speeches. This book represented in the view of one critic “a summary and theory of his experience and wisdom gained from his long diplomatic career and engagement in foreign affairs.” The book has achieved widespread popularity with the general public.

From 2003 to 2007, Professor Wu served as the President of International Bureau of Exhibitions, making him the first Chinese, the first Asian and the first person of a developing country to take up this important post. In 2003, he was awarded by the French President Jacques Chirac the honour of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.

Professor Wu has been deeply committed to education in China and has shown great concern for and dedication to UIC. In 2010, he was our honoured guest at the high-table dinner during which he gave a talk: “Shanghai Expo – China is Sharing Her Growth with the World.” The speech provided our students with an occasion to experience the charisma of a distinguished diplomat. In 2011, Professor Wu represented the China Education Advisory Committee in its assessment visit to UIC. He praised UIC highly for its experiment in education and encouraged us to explore and innovate as a pioneer in higher education in China.

Mr. Chairman, in view of Professor Wu's devotion and profound contributions to the development of Chinese diplomacy and in expression of our gratitude for his support of UIC, it is my privilege to present him to you for the award of an Honorary Fellowship.