On December 4, 2008, a delegation headed by Director General of Department of Social, Ministry of Planning of Chile Luis Alejandro Diaz Silva and Ambassador of Chile to China Fernando Reyes Matta visited Tsinghua SEM and attended a seminar with the theme of "challenges facing the society of 21th century". Guests from Chile discussed issues concerning sustainable development in developing countries with the School's professors. Professor Xie Weihe, Vice President of Tsinghua University attended the seminar. Before the seminar, Professor Xie Weihe held talks with the visiting delegation. Professor Chen Guoqing, Associate Dean of Tsinghua SEM attended the talks.

In his welcome address, Professor Xie Weihe pointed out that the prospect for China and Chile to develop bilateral ties in economy and trade will be promising, as the two countries are mutually complementary in economy; and this seminar aimed at exchanging views on challenges and opportunities during the process of economic growth and social development in the modern societies of 21th century, meanwhile jointly exploring and sharing knowledge and experience of the two countries in areas of economic growth mode and social policy-making etc..

The seminar was the second communication activity of high level between the two sides since Tsinghua SEM signed corporative agreement with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in November 2006.

(Professor Xie Weihe Delivers Welcome Speech)

In his speech, Ambassador of Chile to China Fernando Reyes Matta talked about the efforts that Chilean government has made in promoting economic growth and building up a harmonious society during recent years. He said that Chile has made remarkable achievements in reducing poverty, expanding domestic demand, as well as improving the country’s education, medical care and housing situation after reform. He hoped the two countries could share each other’s experience in relevant areas and commonly realize the goal of sustainable development.

(Ambassador of Chile to China Fernando Reyes Matta Delivers Speech)

Director General of Department of Social, Ministry of Planning of Chile, Luis Alejandro Diaz Silva introduced a series of reform measures adopted by Chilean government from four aspects: “fair growth”, ”economic policies and outcome”, “social policies”, and “challenges facing Chilean society.” In particular, he focused on reforming measures concerning education, medical care, housing and social security. He also talked about challenges and difficulties the country has encountered such as income gap, gender inequity and social tolerance, etc..

(Director General of Department of Social, Ministry of Planning of Chile Luis Alejandro Diaz Silva Delivers Speech)

Professor Tong Yunhuan, Associate Dean of Tsinghua SEM and Liu Lingling, Professor at Department of Economics attended the seminar. Professor Tong Yunhuan elaborated his view of “promoting economic and social development through sustainable innovation.”Professor Liu Lingling talked about “four challenges” and relevant solutions facing China in its efforts to build up a well-off society by 2020.

Guests attending the seminar also included officials from foreign embassies to China from 18 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, etc. as well as Professor Wu Guoping with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Zhu Qingqiao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry.