Dear Friends,
 
People from Eastern countries aspire for uniformity, value justice more than profit, and prefer an indirect and implicit way in their expression of emotions, while those from Western countries put more emphasis on individuality and principles, and would rather express themselves in a direct and straightforward way ¡­ Driven by the tremendous tide of globalization, the world as we see is becoming more and more assimilated and united. Yet differences are still evident between the worlds of east and west in cultural traditions and mindset. Therefore, how to seek common points while reserving differences, and how to achieve common development at the same time, emerge as a hot issue which calls for serious attention.

On June 8th, we will invite Mr. Lu Qiutian, a reputed Chinese diplomatist, to CEIBS Executive Forum. With his profound knowledge and more than 40 years of rich experience in working overseas as a diplomat, Mr. Lu is sure to expound his views on differences between Eastern and Western culture as well as thinking based on a series of small cases that yield further thought, and also unveil the intrinsic reasons for such differences.

Mr. Lu Qiutian is Honorary President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, also a part-time consultant to National Society for Party Building Studies. Earlier in his career, he served as Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg, Romania and Germany successively. A passionate lover of philosophy, history and literature, Lu has published a book entitled "Differences - Eastern and Western Thinking in the Eyes of An Ambassador".

Lu Qiutian
Honorary President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs
Former Chinese Ambassador to Germany

1961-1963, Staff member, the Department of West European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1963-1977, Staff member, the Chinese Embassy in Holland. Served as an attach¨¦, second secretary, third secretary and counselor successively during this period of time

1988, Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg

1993, Chinese minister to Germany

1995-1997, Chinese ambassador to Romania

1997-2001, Chinese Ambassador to Germany

March, 1998-March, 2003£¬Member of Foreign Affairs Committee, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

May, 2003-March, 2006, President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs

March, 2006-Present, Honorary President of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs

Professor Lu is also a part-time consultant to National Society for Party Building Studies, and a part-time professor in Peking University and Tongji University. A passionate lover of philosophy, history and literature, Lu has published a book entitled "Differences - Eastern and Western Thinking in the Eyes of An Ambassador". Lu is married and a father of a son and a daughter.