I completed an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecture Tour (DLT) to China in November, coordinated by the Chengdu Chapter. Overall, the trip was highly rewarding. It provided a wonderful opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with researchers and students at three universities. I had numerous engaging discussions on a wide range of research topics with faculty members, researchers, and students. I also joined campus and laboratory tours, gaining valuable insights into ongoing research activities. In addition, visiting historical and cultural sites in China left a particularly lasting impression on me.

In this DLT, I delivered three talks, scheduled as follows:

• Talk 1 at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), hosted by Prof. Gang Wu, on 24 November 2025

• Talk 2 at Chongqing University (CQU), Chongqing, hosted by Prof. Yueping Cai, on 26 November 2025

• Talk 3 at Changsha University of Science and Technology (CSUST), hosted by Prof. Bowen Bao, on 28 November 2025

All of my talks highlighted recent progress in optical switching and networking to enable next-generation data centers. As modern data centers demand highly scalable network architectures to support massive data processing, I discussed essential topics including the benefits of optical technologies, data center requirements, architectural considerations, design challenges, algorithmic solutions, and directions for future research. In addition, I took the opportunity to introduce IEEE ComSoc to the participants and promote it.

Each talk attracted an audience of approximately 20–50 participants, including both academic staff and research students. After each session, I had insightful discussions with attendees on optical switching and routing technologies, which provided valuable inspiration for future work. The hosts at each university kindly arranged campus and laboratory tours, where we continued our technical discussions. These tours highlighted various aspects, including the structure and historical background of each university, as well as ongoing research efforts, such as communications-related projects at UESTC, prioritized resource-sharing scheduling at CQU, and packet- and optical circuit-switched networking at CSUST. The campus visits, lab tours, and discussions were highly stimulating and have inspired several promising directions for future research.

In addition to my research talks, I was fortunate to participate in several social activities kindly arranged by the host professors, including enjoyable dinners and local tours in each city, which added a special warmth and personal touch to my visit. In Chengdu, I enjoyed a memorable dinner at a Sichuan-style fish restaurant, where a live fish was selected from a tank and prepared into several dishes of varying levels of spiciness, all of which tasted great. I also visited Ciqikou, a traditional town in Chongqing known for its historic streets and lively atmosphere. The blend of cultural heritage, local crafts, and vibrant energy made the visit particularly memorable. In Changsha, the graduate students of CSUST guided me on a night city tour along the Xiang River and a tour of Yuelu Mountain. I was impressed by the beautiful views of the city and the mountain, as well as the notable sights along the way. I also enjoyed both our conversations and the local foods we tried during the tour.

My DLT experience allowed me to interact closely with researchers and students in China, reaffirming the unique value of in-person academic exchange. At the three universities I visited, I had the opportunity to engage with researchers working in diverse cultural contexts and to exchange ideas on how projects are conducted and on approaches to mentoring individual students. These discussions were highly meaningful, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this experience.

Beyond attending conferences and reading or publishing journal papers, I have come to truly appreciate the importance of participating in IEEE ComSoc activities. These opportunities create invaluable platforms for sharing ideas, forming professional connections, and contributing to the advancement of our discipline. I strongly encourage researchers interested in this program to participate. For those who aspire to become IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturers, I highly recommend applying, as the experience can meaningfully elevate your research career. Through the collective efforts of all DLs, I am confident that we can share our knowledge more widely and help drive the future of our field.