On April 25, 2025, the School of International Studies (SIS) at Peking University successfully held a seminar on “Green Tennis and Global Sustainable Development” alongside the Green International Leadership Forum. Featuring an innovative format that combined athletic engagement with academic discussion, the forum attracted over thirty guests, alumni, and student representatives from both inside and outside the university.

Distinguished participants included Professor Zhao Jindong (School of Life Sciences, Peking University; Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Vice Chairman of the China University Tennis Association), Professor Tang Shiqi (Dean of SIS and Boya Distinguished Professor), Professor Wang Yizhou (School of Computer Science and Boya Distinguished Professor), Professor Zhang Xiaobo (Guanghua School of Management), Professor Luo Huan (School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences), Professor Ren Fei (Guanghua School of Management), Director Li Zhong (Department of Capital Construction), Deputy Secretary-General Li Cunfeng (PKU Alumni Association), Associate Director Liu Maohui (Department of Physical Education and Chair of the Faculty Tennis Association), Chairman Zhang Can (Henergy Human Settlement Technology Group and Secretary-General of the PKU Entrepreneurship Camp Council), Vice General Manager Ding Yongan (Qinghai Huzhu Tianyoude Highland Barley Liquor Group), Partner Linghu Ming (Long An Law Firm), Party Secretary Zhang Haiping (China National Tennis Center), Secretary-General Ni Wei (Beijing Tennis Association), and Assistant Secretary-General Sun Chao (China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation). The forum was chaired by Associate Dean of SIS and Executive Vice President & Secretary-General of the PKU Faculty Tennis Association, Professor Zhu Yibo.

At noon, the event began with a friendly tennis match at the No. 2 Gymnasium courts. Enthusiasts from both inside and outside the university participated in the game, which emphasized green and eco-conscious principles. The match fostered camaraderie and showcased impressive tennis skills in a vibrant and competitive atmosphere.

Group Photo

At 2:00 p.m., the academic seminar commenced in Room C201 of the School. In his opening remarks, Professor Tang Shiqi warmly welcomed all guests and participants. He emphasized that this event was a new interdisciplinary attempt under PKU’s “Year of Scientific Innovation,” using tennis as a medium to build bridges between SIS and other academic fields, promoting industry-academic collaboration. He remarked, “With passion, everything is possible. It is our shared love for tennis that brings together people from diverse disciplines and industries.” He expressed hope that the forum would deepen professional understanding, foster emotional connection with SIS, and serve as a bridge for interdisciplinary cooperation.

Remarks by Professor Tang Shiqi

Professor Zhu Yibo, in his introductory remarks, explained that green tennis serves as a projection of ecological civilization within the macro landscape of national governance. It reflects a nation’s commitment to transnational cooperation and green governance, and functions as a new arena for identity-building and soft power competition. He drew comparisons with Qatar, which, despite being located in a desert region, has successfully transformed itself into a global “sports capital” by hosting international events such as the ATP Doha Open.

Remarks by Professor Zhu Yibo

During the keynote sharing session, five experts from life sciences, medicine, Spanish studies, and law delivered thematic presentations on tennis culture, green concepts, and industry development. Academician Zhao Jindong praised the seminar and shared his philosophy of tennis: “Tennis teaches us how to win, but more importantly, how to lose with dignity.” He humorously noted, “There are only two types of people in the world: those who play tennis and those who don’t. Tennis players are simply different.” Dr. Yu Shiyang from the School of Foreign Languages recounted from The Tsinghua Diary that renowned scholar Ji Xianlin was once a tennis enthusiast in college. Mr. Ding Yongan shared the “Highland Barley Spirit” of Tianyoude Group and his personal journey of self-discipline and perseverance through tennis. Dr. Wang Qiusheng from Peking University People's Hospital reflected on tennis through the lens of “Trust, Communication, and Elegance,” emphasizing mutual respect among players and the mental health benefits of the sport: “Unlike dopamine’s fleeting joy, tennis stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin, and melatonin, providing longer-lasting happiness.” Lawyer Linghu Ming discussed cross-disciplinary innovation and highlighted forward-looking topics such as green caregiving farms and the silver economy.

Speech by Academician Zhao Jindong

In the open discussion segment, experts from the alumni association, the tennis industry, economics, management, and psychology engaged in vibrant conversation. Mr. Li Cunfeng praised SIS’s efforts in alumni work and commended the use of tennis as an international and public-facing medium to foster creative alumni engagement. Professor Ren Fei noted that integrating green tennis with global sustainability helps shift low-carbon awareness: “Widespread individual low-carbon transformations from the consumer side can drive industrial change in return.” Professor Luo Huan discussed how tennis builds self-control and thus enhances well-being: “Tennis offers cognitive rewards for each good shot, reinforcing a sense of control, which is vital for mental health—for both adults and children.” Dr. Kong Tao from the Center for Social Science Survey explored the link between tennis and vitality, and the concept of green leadership. Dr. Zhang Yuwei from the National School of Development shared his thoughts on tennis from the perspectives of human-nature, interpersonal, and inner self-relationships. Secretary-General Ni Wei discussed green pathways for youth tennis development, and Secretary Zhang Haiping emphasized tennis’s importance in promoting national cultural soft power.

Scene from the Seminar

In his concluding remarks, Professor Zhu Yibo expressed his hope that the “small ball” of tennis could help drive the “big ball” of low-carbon transition and green sustainable development, encouraging broader academic openness and imaginative frameworks to tackle today’s global challenges.

This forum served as the opening event of SIS’s 30th Anniversary celebrations and the first event of the 21st SIS Culture Festival. Going forward, SIS will launch a series of interdisciplinary activities centered on the theme of “Green International Leadership,” to promote academic exchange and foster innovation through collaboration between academia and industry.

Other participants included: Associate Professor Ruan Hongxun (Guanghua School of Management), Associate Professor Yang Shiwu (International Mathematics Center), Assistant Professors Liang Yuanning and Zhao Yiling (School of Economics), President Wang Jun (PKU YUETU Mobility and Vice Chairman of the Hebei Federation of Overseas Chinese), Qi Li (Managing Director, Qianneng Investment), and Wang Meng (Founding Partner of Qinyuan Investment Holding and Director of Industrial Economics Research at China Industry News). The event was also supported by the SIS Green International Leadership Think Tank, SIS Student Union, and the PKU Youth Think Tank Association.

Written by: Tu Zhenhua, Gao Jingwen

Photo by: Wei Yuxuan

Edited by: Zhu Yibo