The Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) is the annual flagship event organised by the Yenching Academy that brings together people from different disciplines with a common interest: China. This year, the event will take place in April 2026 and will comprise engaging speakers and interactive events on the topic of “Harnessing Momentum: The Power to Act in a Changing World”. This conference will feature prominent international scholars and leading young professionals from a wide range of fields and will provide a forum for constructive dialogue on salient issues pertaining to China and the world.

We cover flights, public transportation, lodging, and food, but visa costs are borne by the delegates themselves. We recommend bringing a small amount of pocket money for your convenience.

The Yenching Global Symposium (YGS) is hosted by the Yenching Academy of Peking University. Past iterations of YGS were held in mainland China, such as in Beijing and Hainan.

YGS 2026 is expected to be held on specific days between April 16-19, 2026. We will start with a welcoming dinner and the official programming starts with an opening ceremony. The Symposium will include a variety of events each day, including cultural events, negotiation workshops, and speaker panels.

There will be approximately 200 participants in YGS 2026, which comprises all of the 11th cohort Yenching Scholars and around 100 delegates. Please see our Apply section for more details.

Delegates of the Symposium will be in a position to critically examine and discuss the underlying issues highlighted in this year's theme.

The majority of the program will be in English. Some speakers may deliver their speeches in Chinese, but simultaneous or consecutive translation will be provided. We expect delegates to have business fluency in English and write their applications in English.

Last year, we received well over 6,000 applications for just over 100 spots. This year, we will be accepting approximately 100 delegates.

Our goal is to create a conference that is as diverse as possible. We do not discriminate against race or ethnicity and encourage you to put your best foot forward when applying.

We offer ambitious students and young professionals from around the world the opportunity to:

• Engage in constructive dialogue on issues surrounding China and the world.

• Interact with a diverse body of global scholars from leading universities.

• Be inspired by renowned speakers with extensive expertise and experiences from their illustrious careers.

• Learn from practitioners experienced in a wide range of fields including art, history, culture, international relations, politics, and business.

• Share your experiences while collaborating with fellow delegates to construct frameworks for action on China’s most challenging issues and build long-lasting relationships with a community of change-makers.

The Symposium is a platform for connecting leaders that are passionate about China across various disciplines. It will help you interact with inspiring, like-minded peers as well as leading experts who share your interest in China. These interactions will be facilitated by Peking University, China’s top university.

As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences while collaborating with others to generate fruitful exchange on China's most pressing challenges.

We welcome applicants that have demonstrated strong leadership and are ready to participate in nuanced, interdisciplinary discussions on China and this year’s theme “Harnessing Momentum: The Power to Act in a Changing World” if they meet the following criteria:

• Born on and after May, 1995;

• Will commit themselves to the entirety of the Symposium, April 16-19, 2026;

• Is proficient in English; and

• Has never attended any previous Yenching Global Symposiums or Yenching Social Innovation Forums

More information can be found here. These criteria are non-negotiable.

Involvement in China-related activities - academic, voluntary, professional, or extra-curricular - is a bonus. However, we also encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply as long as they display a strong interest in our Symposium theme and in understanding China.

As a delegate at the Symposium you are expected to fulfill the following commitments：

• Attend all YGS programming scheduled from 16-19 April, 2026.

• Actively contribute towards a constructive dialogue during the conference.

Early-Bird Applications are due by 23:59 CST (GMT+8), 22 December, 2025, where applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Standard applications are due by 23:59 CST (GMT+8), 05 January, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline to avoid any last minute issues.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, only applicants who commit themselves to the entirety of the Symposium (16-19 April, 2026) will be considered for the event.

If you submitted an application and your availability changes, please let us know immediately.

Past YGS delegates are ineligible to become delegates again.

We aim to recruit a diverse group of delegates from around the world and from various disciplines. We are looking for enthusiasm and motivation for the Symposium's theme and vision. Additionally, successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a strong interest in China.

Prior to application evaluation, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria listed on our Apply page. Applicants must be in the final year of their Bachelor's degree or equivalent or already hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Past successful candidates demonstrate strong leadership qualities, and have clearly shown deep curiosity towards China. They also express thoughtful arguments convincingly.

The YGS Executive Committee will check submitted documents for completeness and readability. Due to the large number of applications we receive, our response may take some time, so we thank you for your patience.

If the jury selects you as a delegate, you qualify for participation in YGS 2026. The results will be finalized before mid-March. We will not respond to personal inquiries about applications before then.

There is no interview component to the application process. If you do not receive an acceptance email before mid-March 2026, your application would have been deemed unsuccessful. The YGS Executive Committee reserves every right to have the final say with the application outcome.

For delegates already in China, YGS will cover all expenses related to the event. For delegates outside of China, we pay for housing, transportation, and food, but we do not pay for visa costs.

If you are selected as a delegate, the Executive Committee will contact you before the Symposium to discuss your itinerary and book your travel.

Applicants from Hong Kong or Macau should use their Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident number. Applicants from Taiwan should use their Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident number.

All delegates are responsible for getting a visa on their own. However, we can provide you with an invitation letter which may help with your visa application. Should a problem arise, we are happy to help. Expenses for visa application will be borne by the delegates themselves.

All accommodations will be provided for. Past accommodation arrangements include Peking University’s dorm-hotel designated for event participants. If you need special accommodations, please let us know in advance. We do not require accommodation on campus and will prioritize delegates who do not live locally if capacity becomes a problem.

We book flights or train tickets and plan bus trips to and from social events in the formal programming. We do not pay for personal travel or transport outside of the university otherwise.

We require you to submit your CV and the completed online application form. Please see the Apply page for complete details.

If you are not in or have not graduated from a degree program where English was the primary language of instruction, applicants who submit a proof of your English proficiency will be prioritized.

Ideally, delegates will have test scores of at least IELTS 7 / TOEFL 100 / Cambridge 185 / CEFR C1 / CET 600 / TEM 4 良好. If you have a particularly strong application but do not meet these requirements, we will conduct our review on a case-by-case basis.

You can apply without any standardized test scores, but you can consider mentioning how many years you have learned/used English, whether it is the language of instruction of some or all courses in your study program, if you have written academic papers in English, or if English is your working language. The quality of your responses can also testify to your English proficiency.

If you are selected, we might request that you send proof of your spoken English proficiency. For example, a letter from your coordinator/director of studies verifying that the language of instruction in your program is English may be suitable.

So long as you can work and speak English for a conference setting, we’re willing to chat. If you have a standardized English test score, please submit it, even if it is expired or does not meet our eligibility criteria. English proficiency will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The primary indicator of your English proficiency will be your responses to the essay prompts. We will mainly be using your test scores as a secondary means of verification of your English ability.

Yes. However, you must be in your final year of study. In countries where Bachelor's and Master's degrees are combined, delegates also need to be in their final year of study. For full eligibility requirements, please read the Apply page.

The confirmation message will appear immediately on your browser screen after you click “submit”. There is no other confirmation message or email.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will communicate application results but cannot give feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Decisions of the Executive Committee are final and not subject to any further appeal.

All YGS delegates have been and will be selected based on merit. Highly qualified participants attend a wide range of YGS activities regardless of their financial capability. There is no possibility of paying to attend YGS. Rejected applicants may consider applying next year.

Yes, you will receive a certificate if you attend the whole program.

Yes.

We don’t know how much it will cost your host country to issue you a visa to China and can’t promise a visa, so we ask you to obtain a visa out of your pocket. We can, however, provide you with an invitation letter which may help with your visa application.

For your convenience, we have uploaded recordings of all information sessions on the home page of our website. We will also be updating our FAQs page regularly.

If you are having problems submitting your application, we recommend trying a different browser, VPN, or device to submit. If the problem persists, please contact ygs_delegate@pku.edu.cn.

Standard applications close on 05 January 2026. The jury then screens and assess your application. If your application is successful, applciation outcomes will be released on a rolling basis. If you do not receive any confirmation email before mid-March 2026, you may consider your application unsuccessful.

You may be shortlisted as part of a waitlist, especially with a high volume of applicants that we receive. You are shortlisted as part of a waitlist if and only if you receive an email confirming this status.