Hosted by the School of Political Science & International Relations (SPSIR) and the Institute for China & World Studies of Tongji University, the webinar on 'Global Response and Governance amid COVID-19' was successfully held on April 28, 2020. This online meeting was comprised of two report sessions and one discussion session. Nine teachers from SPSIR gave thematic reports that were commented by two teachers. A total of nearly 200 teachers and students joined the webinar which was moderated by Associate Dean Professor Zheng Chunrong.

      In the opening speech, Professor Men Honghua, Dean of SPSIR and President of the Institute for China & World Studies, emphasized that the current COVID-19 pandemic is a severe challenge to everyone, and encouraged teachers and students of the school to remain focused on the academic work during the fight against the pandemic. They are expected to think more about the current special situation, step up efforts in their respective research field, turn the crisis into an important opportunity for academic reflections and achievements, and make due contributions in terms of policy research and situation judgment. Dean Men thanked all the speakers for their preparations and wished this online meeting a complete success.

      The first report session was themed 'Country and Society in COVID-19 Governance'. Professor Yu Minjiang gave a speech on the topic of “The Foundation of Social Governance for COVID-19 - Also on the Development Dimension of Social Governance Modernization”. He summed up and analyzed the advantages and shortcomings of the Chinese society in response to COVID-19, and offered some suggestions on how to improve the governance.

      Associate Professor Sun Ming, Assistant to the Dean and Head of the Department of Sociology, gave a speech on the topic of 'Improving Fine Management for Better Response to the Pandemic'. Through an extensive social survey and careful data processing, he got to know the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to residents and the implementation of social work.

      In his speech entitled “The Political Relationship between the US Federal Government and State/Local Governments amid COVID-19 and its Implications”, Professor Wang Chuanxing analyzed the “American federalism of both flexibility and antagonism” and cited many examples to explain the political antagonism between the US federal government and state/local governments amid COVID-19.

      Around the topic of 'Shanghai Citizens' Perception of the COVID-19 Risks and Its Influencing Factors', Associate Professor Wang Fuqin pointed out that the citizens are generally scared of COVID-19; different groups have different risk perceptions, and the influencing factors are of social nature; given the obvious amplifying effect of the media, it is important to guide the perception of risk so that the public panic can be alleviated; and government credibility is an important cornerstone and guarantee for the public to overcome panic.

      After the first session, Professor Shao Chunxia commented that a full picture of COVID-19 governance is displayed from multiple aspects. And there are a variety of unique methodology, from quantitative research based on solid data to empirical research based on in-depth observation and theoretical reflection. From the perspectives of global governance, grassroots governance, and comparative research, these reports can provide unique and enlightening insights on the system effectiveness and the orientation of China’s governance modernization.

      The second report session was themed 'Global Governance and Diplomacy amid COVID-19'. On the topic of 'China's Governance of its Relations with the US in the Context of Global Response to COVID-19', Professor Xia Liping analyzed the new variables that may appear in China-US relations amid COVID-19, and proposed corresponding countermeasures.

      Associate Dean Zhong Zhenming spoke on the topic of 'Competition for the International Discourse Right under the COVID-19 Crisis'. Against the background that countries in the world are fighting against COVID-19 at home, while they are also competing fiercely for the international discourse power around governance, responsibilities, cooperation and information spreading, Zhong analyzed the basic approach to this power and how to deal with the competition amid this global crisis.

      On the topic of 'China and Greece in the Global Fight against COVID-19', Associate Professor Shen Hongbo introduced the development of China-Greece relations during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed the issue of building a strategic partnership between China and Greece.

      On the topic of 'Liquidity and Risk Society - A Global Perspective amid COVID-19', Mr. Fan Jingyu talked about the COVID-19 pandemic based on the relationship between liquidity and risk society in social theory.

      On the topic of 'Globalization from a Post-Pandemic Perspective: Common Interests and Major Powers’ Responsibilities', Assistant Professor Liu Xiaoyang defined the characteristics of globalization in the current era and reflected on the strategic choices of major powers in the world.

      Tongji Distinguished Professor Li Bin, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of SPSIR, commented on the second session. He pointed out that responsibility of major powers in the era of globalization is the core issue explored in this session. On the one hand, the fact that the United States is irresponsible in fighting against COVID-19 precisely reflects that all countries should uphold the value pursuit of shared responsibility, and should consider the issue of institutional establishment and cooperation path choice; and on the other hand, although it is visible that China has taken effective measures to control the pandemic, we must also think about how to make our voice louder.

      In the following section, the teachers and students further discussed related issues and gained a deeper understanding of the theme of 'Global Response and Governance amid COVID-19'.

      This webinar was a complete success. In the concluding speech, Dean Men first praised the high level and high quality of the academic discussions, and appreciated the teachers’ adequate preparations, unique features and brilliant thoughts. Then, on behalf of SPSIR, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to the teachers for their dedication. Finally, Dean Men affirmed the new form of online academic discussion, and looked forward to organizing high-level academic discussions and exchange activities in the near future.