In 2026, the China Center partnered with Peking University and the University of Minnesota’s Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) and the Carlson School of Management to send nine University of Minnesota students to the Peking University Global Young Leaders summer exchange program. Building on the UMN's longstanding partnership with Peking University, the program combined classroom learning, company visits, cultural immersion, and peer exchange to provide students with a firsthand understanding of contemporary China.
Students attended lectures delivered by Peking University faculty members and visited historical landmarks, leading enterprises, and innovation hubs throughout Beijing and other regions of China. Program themes included Chinese history and culture, globalization, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, poverty alleviation, renewable energy, and the digital economy. Participants also engaged directly with Peking University students, fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and laying the foundation for enduring international relationships.
To support students' success abroad, the China Center organized a comprehensive pre-departure orientation covering health and safety considerations, travel logistics, technology and communications, cultural expectations, and professional etiquette. Through this collaboration, the China Center continued its mission of fostering global engagement, expanding educational opportunities, and strengthening ties between the University of Minnesota and its international partners.