China's first UNESCO Category 1 Center established in Shanghai

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inaugurated its International Institute for STEM Education in Shanghai on Sunday, establishing it as the first Category 1 center established by the agency in the Asia-Pacific region.

The institute, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), is the 10th Category 1 center globally under UNESCO's framework.

Its main functions include promoting STEM education across all stages from early childhood to adulthood, with a focus on providing inclusive, equitable, relevant and high-quality STEM education for all.

"This is a Category One institute of UNESCO. That means that it has full autonomy, but it's very much a global scope. So we do think that at the time where STEM is the ground for any other important step from AI to quantum technology, to having here this new center, can really meet the demand, the global demand," said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education.

"Shanghai is an incredibly important international hub for science, technology, universities, higher education, education system and innovation. There is an ecosystem for innovation. So we see it, as UNESCO, as an ideal place to establish an institute which is supposed to become a global hub for improving the quality of education, training, learning and also research in the STEM field," she said.

The center aims to leverage China's practices in STEM and interdisciplinary education to promote the joint development and sharing of global high-quality STEM education resources through international joint research, policy dialogue and training.

"As an institute, it can gather information from around the world, making it easier for us to access the latest global developments and explorations in STEM education. It also provides a platform for China to share its practices, experiences, philosophies, and new models with the international community," said Qin Changwei, Secretary General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.

China's first UNESCO Category 1 Center established in Shanghai

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle