"Meeting in Xicheng, Building Dreams for the Future" - The 5th Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference (CCMUN) 2025 & Global Citizen Model United Nations China Conference (GCMUN-CHINA) Opens in Wuxi

**July 25, 2025, Morning** - The "Meeting in Xicheng, Building Dreams for the Future" 2025 Fifth Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference (CCMUN) and Global Citizen Model United Nations Conference China Session (GCMUN-CHINA) officially opened in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province.

This conference received special support from the Chinese Consulate General in New York and guidance from the official UN organization United Networks of Europe (UNE). Supported by the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office and the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau, it was hosted by Philadelphia Window, and organized by the Wuxi Education International Exchange Association and Dnuo International Education Group. The official event lasts for 4 days and attracted nearly 500 student delegates from China and abroad, including nearly 60 teachers and students from the United States and Europe.

Huang Ping, Ambassador and Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange; Riccardo Messina, President of United Networks of Europe (UNE); and Zhan Yi, Director of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Sophie Muller, Representative of the UNHCR Office in China, sent a video message. Other distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Yu Ting, Deputy Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Full-time Vice Chairperson of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; Zhang Wenlong, President of the US-China Business Travel Association and Founder of Philadelphia Window; Zhou Lidong, Deputy Director of the Higher Education Cooperation Department of the China Education Association for International Exchange; Wang Xiaodan, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Education International Exchange Service Center; Li Weiping, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Education International Exchange Association; Ye Zheng, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office; Xiao Jing, Deputy Director of the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau; Xu Chengjie, President of the Wuxi Education International Exchange Association; and Yao Jiahong, President of Dnuo International Education, among other relevant leaders.

In his speech, Zhan Yi, Director of the Wuxi Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office, stated that Wuxi, as an important city along the canal, is always committed to promoting the inheritance and innovation of canal culture. He pointed out that the canal is not only a witness to history but also a bridge connecting different civilizations. Wuxi will take this conference as an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with domestic and international cities, promote mutual learning and integration of diverse cultures through exchanges in culture, education, and other fields, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ambassador Huang Ping, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in Sino-US relations in his address. He mentioned that the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference provides a valuable platform for dialogue between Chinese and American youth, helping to enhance understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. In the future, we should promote more practical cooperation with an open and inclusive mindset, injecting new momentum into the healthy development of Sino-US relations.

Vice President Yang Jun, representing the China Education Association for International Exchange, extended warm congratulations on the successful opening of the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference. He said that Wuxi, as a canal city, has nurtured a unique Jiangnan canal watertown culture. The Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference, based in China with a global perspective and focused on the present while looking to the future, actively participates in global governance with a sense of responsibility and innovative spirit. As a cross-border, cross-cultural exchange platform, it provides young students from different countries and regions an important stage to showcase their talents, demonstrate wisdom, exchange ideas, and hone their skills.

Ms. Sophie Muller, Representative of the UNHCR Office in China, delivered a video speech, commending the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference for once again participating in the UNHCR's Model UN Refugee Challenge this year, emphasizing that the world stage needs the participation of youth. She looks forward to young people engaging in more dialogue and making greater contributions to world peace and development!

Mr. Riccardo Messina, President of the official UN organization United Networks of Europe (UNE), delivered a keynote speech introducing UNE and its efforts to promote global youth exchange. UNE is dedicated to fostering innovative learning experiences for youth students in Europe and the United States. Its Global Citizen Model United Nations Conference (GCMUN) brings together global youth for meaningful dialogue. He looks forward to cooperating with the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference to cultivate the international perspective and cooperation capabilities of global youth, jointly address global challenges, and nurture the next generation of global leaders.

The conference was officially declared open by Mr. Zhang Wenlong, Founder of Philadelphia Window.

Following the opening ceremony, dozens of school principals and lead teachers from China and abroad participated in a Sino-foreign education exchange seminar on the theme "Opportunities and Challenges for Talent Cultivation in the AI Era." The participants spoke freely, and the atmosphere was lively.

The conference will last for four days. Participating Chinese and international youth will, following UN rules and procedures, represent different countries and discuss pressing international issues such as global AI technology sharing, cooperation on rare disease research and treatment, and refugee protection.

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Background Information

In 2021, under the guidance of leaders of the Yangzhou Municipal Government and with the support and guidance of departments such as the Yangzhou Foreign Affairs Office and the Yangzhou Education Bureau, "Philadelphia Window" established the Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference brand for middle school student activities. To date, four annual conferences and three winter conferences have been successfully held. In October 2021, the first Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference was successfully held at the 2021 Yangzhou World Horticultural Exposition, attracting over 250 middle school students from across the country. In July 2022, the second conference was successfully held concurrently in Yangzhou and Hangzhou, conducted in a hybrid online+offline format, attracting nearly 600 students from 82 schools nationwide. In July 2023, the third Canal Cities Model United Nations Conference was successfully held in Wuxi and Yangzhou, with nearly 600 teachers and students from around the world participating in this international conference. In July 2024, the fourth Canal Cities MUN Conference was successfully held in Wuxi, Fuzhou, and Yangzhou, with nearly 600 teachers and students from around the world participating; in the same year, the December Nanchang "Tengwangge Cup" 2024 International Model United Nations Conference attracted over 500 participants from around the world.