Neirotti represented Universidad ORT Uruguay a high-level academic event held from October 12 to November 2, 2025, in Shanghai, where participants from Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa gathered.
The Visiting programme Sinologists was organized by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, in collaboration with its Institute of Chinese Studies. Sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the program aims to strengthen international research networks, promote academic cooperation, and facilitate field research in China.
Academic cooperation is one of the highest forms of collaboration: the exchange of knowledge between countries so far apart is the foundation of mutual understanding.
Prof. Lucía Neirotti
The professor also noted that these initiatives help raise the profile of research conducted in Uruguay and foster connections with leading institutions in the field of Chinese studies, which “opens up opportunities for joint projects and strengthens the country’s specialized human capital.”
During his visit, Neirotti attended various sessions and seminars that addressed key issues in contemporary China:
- the country's experience in poverty alleviation,
- the internationalization of the RMB and economic growth,
- new narratives of China's modernization and its proposal for a new form of human civilization.
The program also included field trips in Shandong Province (Qufu and Qingdao), tours of companies and technology hubs—such as the G60 S&T Innovation Valley of the Yangtze River Delta and Mihoyo—and academic visits to Shanghai International Studies University and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. For the professor, direct immersion is essential: “Experiencing the country firsthand allows one to form a personal and well-founded view of the processes taking place there and to gain insight into how China interprets and narrates itself.”
Among the highlights, Neirotti participated in the Second World Conference on Chinese Studies, which brought together more than 500 international scholars and experts. The conference featured thematic forums, roundtable discussions, and a special session in Qingdao organized by the World Center for Sinology. As he noted, this event provided him with “a comprehensive, up-to-date, and firsthand perspective on the main debates and trends in academic research and Sinology worldwide.”
Finally, the professor emphasized the importance of this experience for students interested in specializing in East Asia:“Understanding the region requires a comprehensive approach —covering history, politics, economics, culture, and philosophy—as well as language study and direct engagement with its institutions and realities. The connection with the university’s research groups serves as a key gateway to academic and professional networks in the region.”
Neirotti teaches the courses "Political and Economic Development of East Asia" and "Fundamentals of International Business" in theBachelor's Program in International Studies, and is a memberof the East Asia Research Group.