May 2023

During a series of events in May, supported by the GCA Board of Trustees, the Global China Academy and Global Century Press actively promoted international academic cooperation and China related studies worldwide. These activities demonstrated the academy’s emphasis on knowledge sharing, as well as the importance of understanding China’s role in the contemporary world.

On May 5, during Dr Grace Yuan Cheng’s visit to the UK, the GCA Board of Trustees held a hybrid meeting, chaired by Ingrid Cranfield. Charles Grant participated online. The second photo from the left above shows, from left to right, Dr Thomas Clarke, Dr Frances Wood, Ingrid Cranfield, Dr Yuan Cheng and Professor Xiangqun Chang.

On May 11, Professor Xiangqun Chang presented four copies of the mainland Chinese edition of China and the Shared Human Future: Exploring Common Values and Goals to the author, Professor Martin Albow, on behalf of the China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Co. Ltd., which co-developed this publication project with GCP. She also presented four copies of the English edition of the book published by Global Century Press (shown in the photos above).

On May 23, Professor Xiangqun Chang was invited to give a presentation at the inaugural China-Focused Research Forum hosted by SOAS, University of London. This event was organised by the student societies of SOAS, LSE and King’s College London. Dr Lianyi Song, Principal Teaching Fellow in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at SOAS (third from the right in the third photo above), oversaw the proceedings. Dr Song is one of the founding editors of the Journal of Chinese for Social Science (JCSS), which GCP publishes. This forum represented a good opportunity to foster engagement among students dedicated to China studies and the learning of the Chinese language. Sam Hardy (third from the left in the thrid photo above), chaired the forum. The attendees included two Chinese sociologists among the four Chinese Visiting Fellows. They are notable for being the first Visiting Fellows from China after the COVID pandemic.

The activities in May demonstrate a commitment to deepening the understanding of China’s contributions to the world. Through efforts such as publishing important works and participating in events, GCA plays an important role in promoting social scientific work with a global perspective and efforts of cross-discipline engagement in social linguistics.

During her visit to China in April 2023, Professor Xiangqun Chang, President of the Global China Academy (GCA), participated in various social mission activities, encompassing a range of meetings, visits to sponsors, and personal explorations. These activities reflect the organization’s and her own commitment and efforts to promote global understanding and cooperation. 

On the morning of April 21st, a meeting took place at the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) within the China International Publishing Group (CIPG). Dr  YU Yunquan (3rd from the right in the top photo), Director of ACCWS, chaired the session. Dr YU Hongjun (3rd from the left in the top photo), former Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and Director of the Centre for Contemporary World Studies, was present as well. He had previously delivered a greeting message at the 6th Global China Dialogue on Governance for World Peace. Professor XU Baofeng from BLCU (1st from the right in the top photo), Director of the Belt and Road Research Institute, Director of the World Sinology Centre, and DU Yichao, Director of Wuxi Institute of New Culture, PhD student at UCL, and GCA Associate (2nd from the right in the top photo), also participated in the meeting. The purpose of this gathering was to advance the GCA’s social mission, specifically in preparation for the 8th Global China Dialogue on Governance for Global Health (GCD III).

During the meeting, Dr YU Hongjun highlighted the shared challenges faced by China and the rest of the world, including climate change, energy security, global health governance, and global economic stability, emphasizing the need for dialogue and collaborative efforts to address these issues. Dr YU Yunquan underscored ACCWS’s objective of fostering understanding and research on China’s global role, committing to the development of a multidisciplinary research platform aimed at expanding global knowledge of China through publishing, seminars, and international collaborations. Professor Xu Baofeng discussed the establishment of the World Sinology Centre and the organization of international conferences in China. Professor Chang Xiangqun shared insights from her observations and experiences in China, focusing on China’s engagement in global governance, its proactive involvement in the United Nations, and other multilateral institutions. She discussed the importance of dialogue in enhancing China’s comprehension of its global responsibilities. The meeting concluded with the decision that the Journal of Contemporary China and World Studies would sponsor GCD III, contingent upon receiving a report on Governance for Global Health, and the Deputy Director of ACCWS would deliver the closing remarks at the final session.

On the afternoon of April 21st, accompanied by DU Yichao, visits were made to two sponsors of the Global China Dialogues series. The first visit was to Xueshuzhi (学术志 Academic Unwavering), a brand under Scholar Education Ltd., an academic dissemination and education platform established by doctoral graduates from prestigious universities. Gathering over 2 million highly educated individuals, primarily university faculty, doctors, and masters, Xueshuzhi has been dedicated to supporting the research community’s growth. It aims to promote the dissemination and development of academic knowledge, enhance domestic researchers’ levels, and advance social sciences in China. During this visit, Dr SONG Yiping (right in the top photos), a founder of the company, recalled his initial encounter with Professor Chang approximately ten years ago, at which time he was employed as an editor at Renmin University Press. He conveyed his continued support for the Global China Dialogues.

Following this, a visit was made to Xueshuwan (学术湾 Academic Harbour), a brand of M.Y.Union, a high-tech enterprise established in 2012 specializing in software development that integrates teaching, practice, and research. Focused on developing new technologies for the social service sector, Xueshuwan offers comprehensive IT solutions to educational, government, and social service organizations. With a commitment to rigorous and practical approaches, the company has achieved rapid and sustainable growth, supported by a team of skilled developers and expert advisors in sociology and social work. Its products, tailored for the modern technological landscape, are applied across various sectors, including universities and government agencies. The General Manager, Mr JIANG Biao (right in the bottom photos), who first met Professor Chang during her lecture at Changchun University of Science and Technology in 2019, provided a tour of the company and showcased projects developed during the COVID years.

Xueshuwan, Xueshuzhi, and the Wuxi Institute of New Culture, sponsors of the 6th, 7th, and forthcoming 8th Global China Dialogues, offer free services for live streaming or recorded broadcasting of the dialogues through their platforms in China. They also provide audio and video recordings for archives, transcriptions, translations, and dual-language subtitles for videos shown during the dialogues. Their willingness to sponsor the GCD series with their resources and expertise was expressed at the GCA’s founding ceremony. Click their names to watch the greeting videos by JIANG Biao, SONG Yiping and DU Yichao. 

During the trip to Shenyang, where her mother resides, Professor Chang also visited places of interest, a consistent component of her fieldwork in China. Through a golf acquaintance, she was introduced to DAI Yanyan (to her left in the top left photo), Deputy Director of the Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre at Shenyang Jianzhu University, and ZHANG Changyan (to her right in the top left photo), a chief lawyer. With their assistance, on the morning of April 27th, Yanyan and Professor Chang visited Shenyang Century Golf Club. This club features an 18-hole, 72-par course that spans 700,000 square meters and was inaugurated in 2006. Its design incorporates both Western and Asian elements, emphasizing environmental conservation with its abundant tree coverage and high-quality grass landscapes. The clubhouse is equipped with luxurious amenities and panoramic views, providing a diverse array of leisure and business facilities, such as restaurants, bars, a fitness centre, among others. Situated in the development zone of Tiexi District, close to the airport and highways, the club offers convenient access. It integrates sports, leisure, and business, delivering a premium experience for its members. The club’s viability is attributed to the Tiexi District hosting over 1,300 enterprises from 40 countries and regions, including 83 multinational corporations and 21 Fortune Global 500 companies.

Moreover, Shenyang is recognized as the cradle of golf in China. The statue shown in the bottom left photo is of Chang Hsueh-liang or Zhang Xueliang (张学良, 1901-2001), a warlord who ruled Manchuria from 1928 to 1936. Zhang, who was introduced to golf in Shenyang in 1917 after joining the Fengtian Christian Youth Association, founded China’s first golf team in 1920 with officials from China, Britain, France, America, and other countries. Initially planning to construct the first 18+1 hole golf course in Beidaihe in 1927, he instead established a nine-hole ‘mini-golf’ course, which was launched at the Shenyang Tongze Club in 1930.

On the afternoon of April 27th, Yanyan escorted Professor Chang to the Shenyang Aoyuehui City Golf Club, an indoor golf multifunctional centre. The owner, Mr. ZHAO Haixin, revealed that the facility occupies 1,200 square meters and features 6 public hitting bays, 3 VIP rooms, each equipped with a Greenjoy Hengtaixin golf simulator. Beyond these, the club boasts a water bar, rest area, and additional public entertainment facilities. It serves freshly ground imported coffee, fashionable beverages, imported red wine and beer, teas from various regions, and premium Chinese and Western snacks. According to Mr Zhao, these offerings have ensured him a stable income even through the COVID years, affording him a lifestyle comparable to the upper-middle class in Western nations.

Introduction  

On the occasion of being an invited speaker at the ‘International Conference: The Chinese Path to Modernization and the Pursuit of Humanity’s Common Values’ at Xiamen University from April 4-6, 2023, I visited China and conducted a series of lectures, seminars, and academic exchanges at various universities in Xiamen, Wuhan, Tianjin, and Beijing. In addition to fulfilling my academic responsibilities, I also participated in events and activities aligned with the social mission of the Global China Academy. This part includes only academic activities in Beijing from 18-20th April.

Timeline

Introduction

In 2023, the Global China Academy Council Chair, Professor Tony McEnery FAcSS, distinguished Professor of Lancaster University, had been appointed as a distinguished Chair Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU). As a renowned expert in corpus linguistics, he engaged in various academic activities in China.  His contributions included inaugurating the ‘McEnery Corpus Research Center’ at XJTU and delivering insightful lectures at several universities. These lectures, covering topics such as ‘Language Matters,’ ‘Corpus Linguistics, Learner Corpora, and Second Language Acquisition,’ and the application of corpus linguistics in the era of big data, showcased his commitment to linguistic research and interdisciplinary study. His activities in China highlighted the dynamic and evolving nature of corpus linguistics and its potential to address complex social issues, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation and critical evaluation in research methods.

Timeline 

On the afternoon of April 17, 2023, Professor Tony McEnery was appointed as a Chair Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU). The Vice President of Xi’an Jiaotong University, XI Guang, met with Professor McEnery and presented him with a certificate, and adorned him with the XJTU badge. During the meeting, XI Guang and McEnery jointly unveiled the ‘McEnery Corpus Research Center’ at the School of Foreign Languages of XJTU.

XI Guang expressed his hope that this appointment would serve as a starting point to build a cooperative bridge and further promote new achievements in inter-university collaboration. Professor McEnery stated his intention to fully leverage his personal capabilities to continue actively promoting cooperation between both parties and to embark on more substantive joint work.

After the meeting, Professor McEnery presented a lecture entitled ‘Language Matters’ to the faculty and students of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU).

The lecture was divided into three parts: exploration, critical evaluation, and technological innovation. Professor McEnery used three classic studies from the ESRC-CASS Centre at Lancaster University, UK, as cases to illustrate the innovation in linguistic research methods to the audience, and sparked their thinking about interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research and technology in the era of big data. Professor McEnery emphasized that language itself and its role in different areas of social life are of undeniable importance. The use of large-scale text corpora is significant in linguistic research, and employing interdisciplinary research methods to analyze the relationship between language and society is of great importance. It enables researchers to analyze real language more deeply and in detail, providing new perspectives and methods for understanding social phenomena. During the question-and-answer session, the attending faculty and students engaged in discussions with Professor McEnery about parts of the lecture that interested them.

On the afternoon of April 19, Professor Tony McEnery gave a lecture at the School of Foreign Studies of Xi’an Jiaotong University titled ‘Corpus Linguistics, Learner Corpora, and Second Language Acquisition.’ Starting from perspectives such as research origins, corpus size, interdisciplinary interaction, and research objectives, he analyzed the relationship between learner corpora and second language acquisition research and offered research suggestions. The faculty and students present actively asked questions, engaging in more in-depth discussions and exchanges with Professor McEnery on topics such as language theory, foreign language learning, and the relationship with corpora.

On the afternoon of April 20th, Professor Tony McEnery engaged in academic exchange at the Institute of Foreign Languages and Literatures of Xi’an International Studies University. He delivered an academic speech titled ‘Corpus Linguistics: Past, Present, and Future,’ in which he detailed the three important stages that corpus linguistics has undergone from its origins to its rapid rise, and discussed the future trends in the discipline in the context of the big data era.

On the morning of April 23, Professor Tony McEnery gave an academic report titled ‘Language Matters’ at the School of Foreign Languages of Zhejiang Gongshang University, with the session chaired by Professor Qian Yufang.

Professor McEnery discussed the role of language in different contexts and how linguists collaborate with other fields to explore issues related to their core subjects. Through ongoing cases at the ESRC Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS) at Lancaster University, he demonstrated how language research can innovate methodologies, thus fostering a critical evaluation of ‘big data’ technologies.

He emphasized that the methods used should be grounded in our identity as linguists and also evaluated by linguists. By analyzing cases such as 17th-century English, patient feedback in the UK National Health Service, and Islamophobia in British news media, he showed how to combine advanced corpus methods with linguists’ insights into language, thereby revealing the value of the research.

The significance of this lecture lies in demonstrating the potential for linguists to conduct interdisciplinary research in different social contexts and historical periods. By collaborating with other fields, linguists can uncover new insights into language and its impact on society. This interaction is not one-way, as linguists can also reflect on their own practices and find various explanatory frameworks through language analysis.

On April 24, Professor Tony McEnery delivered a lecture titled ‘Language Matters’ at Shanghai International Studies University, hosted by Professor HU Kaibao. This lecture had the same title as the one he delivered at XJTU on April 17.

On the afternoon of April 26th, Professor Tony McEnery gave an academic lecture titled ‘Discourse, Language Learning, and Learner Corpora’ at the School of Foreign Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong University, as part of the ‘High-End International Expert Masterclass Series’. Professor McEnery discussed the relationship between discourse, language learning, and learner corpora, and raised many thought-provoking questions and suggestions related to language acquisition research, using specific case studies. After the lecture, there was an in-depth exchange and discussion with the students and faculty on topics such as discourse structure annotation, the construction of new types of corpora, corpus-based pragmatics research, and the limitations of learner corpora.

Professor Tony McEnery said that he had a highly enjoyable visit to China in April and May. His base was at Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he holds a prestigious Chair Professorship. During his stay, he engaged in providing valuable advice to staff, PhD candidates, and undergraduate students. Additionally, he delivered a series of lectures, highlighting the significant impact that studying large collections of language data, known as corpora, can have on the social sciences. Professor McEnery also had the opportunity to speak on the same topic at Xi’an International Studies University, Zhejiang Gongshang University, and Shanghai International Studies University. His interactions with numerous colleagues in China were not only enjoyable but also insightful, particularly in observing the keen interest in the study of language as a component of the social sciences in China. In October, Professor McEnery attended a conference at Xi’an Jiaotong University. This conference brought together scholars from around the world to discuss the intersection of language, data, and society. Before and after the October conference, Professor McEnery also participated in online forums.

Professor Tony McEnery’s academic activities in China, highlighted his prominent role in the field of corpus linguistics. His series of lectures, including ‘Language Matters’ and discussions on topics like discourse analysis, language learning, and learner corpora, showcased his commitment to advancing linguistic research, particularly in the context of big data. His interactions, spanning various universities and covering a range of linguistic topics, not only fostered academic exchange but also reflected the dynamic and evolving nature of corpus linguistics. McEnery’s visit was instrumental in demonstrating the potential of linguistics to address complex social issues and the importance of continuous innovation and critique in linguistic research methods.

Note: Photos and texts have been provided by the organizers of events.  

• Click here to view Global China Academy Council Chair Professor Tony McEnery’s Academic Activities in Hong Kong and China, 2024.
• Click here to view Global China Academy Council Chair Professor Tony McEnery’s Academic Activities in China, September-November 2023.
• Click here to visit Professor Tony McEnery FGCA page.
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