Author: GCA Admin

2024年1月20日，清华大学社会科学院副院长赵可金教授访问了全球中国学术院中心，带来了已故中国全球学术院理事会前中方主席李强教授（1950-2023）的遗愿——继续发展两院关系，并就合作事宜进行了讨论。赵教授同时还带来了中国艺术人类学会会长方李莉教授的赠书《费孝通之问：人类社会如何走向“美美与共”》以及他个人的赠书。

李强教授作为学术院理事会的中方主席，他在去年12月的突然离世对我们学术院来说是一个重大的损失【注释1】。我们怀着感激之情，铭记他过去十年来对我们工作的支持，以及他为两院合作关系所做的贡献。例如，在第六届全球中国对话：世界和平治理中，他推荐赵可金教授前来英国做大会致辞；在筹备第七届全球中国对话：全球治理改革期间，他确认清华大学社会科学院为全球中国对话系列论坛的支持单位，清华大学全球产业研究院为赞助单位，并提供了包括来自清华大学社会科学院和中国社科院的所有中方发言嘉宾。尽管受到新冠疫情的影响，依然确保了我们的第七届全球中国对话于2021年在英国学术院成功举办了线下线上融合会议。【注释1】

为了继续加强和巩固双方的联系，我们希望通过与清华大学社会科学学院延续并深化这种合作关系。继今年1月20日赵可金教授来访时讨论的暑期访问计划后，6月初赵老师与我联系了两个访问项目：一个是为期七天（8月17日-23日）的京沪四高校人工智能发展及全球治理对英国的访问（详情点击链接）。另一个是在此之前的为期22天（7月27日至8月17日）的赵可金教授对近代英国现代化及其全球发展经验的考察。学术院信托会和理事会对清华学者来英国访问高度重视，学术院理事会主席托尼·麦肯勒里(Tony McEnery)教授与我基于以前的邀请函模板上联名签发了邀请函，明确了所有的活动安排和服务均由全球中国学术院提供，费用由清华大学全球产业研究院承担。尽管是假期，我们学术院确保每一项重要活动都有学术院不同方面的领导或院士参加。学术院的行政团队表示，与以往的商业外包服务不同，这次在主要接待环节将由我们团队的负责人亲自接待。

本页是全球中国学术院帮助和参与赵老师完成这个项目的记录。在策划方面，相关城市的主要参访的地方和介绍及其路线基本上是我们提供的。在清华大学社科学院的要求下，我们在伦敦、牛津、伯明翰、曼彻斯特、格拉斯哥、剑桥等地京可能安排了学者会见，而且全程安排了志愿者、友人和专业人士进行接应或陪同，并建立了微信群及时分享信息，确保了每个环节顺利进行。以下将按时间顺序以图文方式简要回顾这一过程，不仅是为了记录活动，更是为了公开透明地展示我们所做的工作和付出的努力。【注释2】

7月27日，伦敦（一）。学术院负责活动的官员梁凯在伦敦希思罗机场 (T2) 于17:45迎接了赵可金教授及其夫人和儿子。由于出关延误，他们于20:30才抵达The Madonna Halley Hotel的The Shisha Garden。这是一家希腊风格的花园餐厅，其环境充满了异国情调，装饰着茂密的植被和精心设计的灯光，营造出一种神秘而迷幻的氛围。学术院后勤经理刘大卫和我在此为他们设宴接风。

晚餐的菜品也很多样化，例如：小吃拼盘包括哈罗米奶酪、鹰嘴豆泥、酸奶黄瓜酱、皮塔饼、橄榄、黄瓜和番茄沙拉；鸡肉小吃拼盘则在此基础上还包括鸡胸肉片。大家对哈罗米奶酪印象深刻，感觉很像豆腐干。还有一些混合卷饼，包括腌制鸡胸肉和羊肉，配上酸奶黄瓜酱、甜辣酱、酸黄瓜和粉色腌菜，包裹在玉米饼中，搭配薯条或沙拉；凯撒鸡肉卷饼则包括香脆鸡柳、生菜、西红柿、凯撒酱和一点甜辣酱，同样包裹在玉米饼中，搭配薯条或沙拉。此外，还有玉米片，上面撒有奶酪和肉丁，配有莎莎酱、酸奶油、鳄梨酱、腌辣椒和奶酪蘸酱。这里的披萨的味道也很好。这些菜肴展示了融合风味的特色，提供了丰富的口感和味觉体验，突显了与中餐不同的另一种色香味俱全的餐点及分享式的就餐方式。

餐后的“饮品”欢迎聚会是在赵老师及家人到学术院“院士之家”稍事安顿后举办的。。。。。。。

7月28-30日，牛津。我开车把赵老师夫妇的行李送往牛津里奥纳多皇家酒店 Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford，再把他们的儿子送到牛津拉德利公学去上暑校，并安顿好。然后与赵老师夫妇一起参观了阿什莫林博物馆(Ashmolean Museum)，这是英语世界中第一个成立的大学博物馆，也是第一个公众博物馆（Public Museum）。我们按照历史的时间顺序和地区欣赏不同的文物和文明，同时在记忆中搜索他们与同期中国的文物与文明的异同。

午餐，新任主席Prof Maria Jaschok 接待并交流

学术院安排在牛津负责接待的是住在牛津的伦敦大学学院博士候选人程语桐（上排照片右数第一张，左边第一位）。她于7月28日下午两点在阿什莫林博物馆门前与我们几位老师会面。在一起参观完博物馆后，我们一起找到了去赵老师夫妇下榻的酒店的6号线公交车站（下拍照片左一）。由于语桐告知30日去伯明翰的铁路罢工，于是我们一起到长途汽车站协助赵老师买好了去伯明翰的车票。之后，语桐陪他们一起参观了牛津的著名地标，包括圆顶图书馆和Bodleian Library。又前往Cover Market，在那里一边闲逛，一边交流。

7月29日清晨，语桐在6号线公交车站接到赵老师夫妇一同前往牛津大学中国中心。由于我事先联系了该中心的图书馆馆长苏诺博士，他非常热情地接待了他们，并带领我们参观了中心的各个设施。在参观过程中，苏诺馆长详细介绍了中心的历史、发展情况以及在中英文化交流中所扮演的重要角色（下拍照片中间三张）。参观结束后，语桐陪他们沿着大学公园步行前往自然历史博物馆，路过牛津大学全球与区域研究学院（下排照片右数第一张）。在自然历史博物馆，他们欣赏了馆内丰富的展品，感受到牛津浓厚的学术底蕴。

7月30日上午，语桐陪同赵老师夫妇前往牛津长途汽车站，把他们送到了前往伯明翰的长途汽车。

7月30-31日，伯明翰。

7月30日中午，赵老师夫妇乘长途汽车到达了伯明翰，下榻在伯明翰市中心的皇冠假日酒店。我们学术院安排的英国大道咨询集团王澍斌总裁和他的两位同事，当晚为他们在英国排名第三的、伯明翰最好的中英粤菜餐厅Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant为赵老师夫妇接风（下派照片左1）。

7月31日上午，王总陪赵老师夫妇沿着伯明翰历史最悠久的运河进行了步行探索，这里是由煤炭个钢铁贸易而发展起来的，也是著名电视剧《浴血黑帮》 peaky blander的取景地。然后他们去了智库伯明罕科学博物馆 Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum ，伯明翰科学历史博物馆，完整介绍了作为中部重要工业城市的发展史。

下午，王总陪赵老师夫妇参观了著名的红砖大学伯明翰大学，走过英国最高的单体钟楼 （101米高） ，百年历史的主建筑群以及李四光先生曾学习研究的教学楼。王总还安排了两位博士为他们介绍情况 (下排照片左2-3)。

然后，他们在王总家小憩交流，品尝了苏格兰威士忌 (下排照片右1-2)。尽管伯明翰并不位于苏格兰，但它作为英国的一个多元化和国际化城市，不仅有来自苏格兰的威士忌，还汇聚了世界各地的威士忌种类。我想，在伯明翰品尝苏格兰威士忌，不仅是一次味觉的享受，更是一种饮文化交流与学习的体验，让人从中感受到苏格兰文化在英国其他地区的广泛影响与深厚传承。

根据赵老师夫妇在我们的微信群里发的感想和照片，我也有感而发，对所有的图片做了解释，为他们编辑了一篇“行走英国之伯明翰印象及感想”，并加入了一些注释。

8月1-2日，曼彻斯特。

8月1日，我们安排的接应赵老师夫妇的是接应《英国社会学评论》研究博士后研究员胡正栋博士，于上午10点半在曼彻斯特皮卡迪利车站接到赵老师夫妇后，帮他们拿着行李直接就city walk，边走边介绍曼彻斯特的一些景点，直接送达曼彻斯特市中心万豪酒店 (下排照片左1)。【注释？】

根据赵老师在微信群分享的信息，在之后的两天里，他们参观了曼彻斯特科学与工业博物馆（Science and Industry Museum），作为世界上第一个工业化城市，该馆专注于展示科学、技术和工业发展历史，馆内收藏了许多与曼彻斯特工业革命有关的展品。还参观了约翰·赖兰兹图书馆（John Rylands Library），馆内收藏的许多珍贵的手稿和古籍成为一座学术宝库，其哥特式建筑风格成为曼彻斯特最著名的历史建筑之一。曼彻斯特中央图书馆（Manchester Central Library）则是新古典主义风格，其圆顶和柱廊设计深受罗马和希腊古典建筑的影响（下图左2-4）。

他们还参观了曼彻斯特的罗马堡垒遗址（Castlefield），这是曼彻斯特市内保存较好的古老罗马防御工事的遗迹。是英国的重要考古遗址之一。后方隐约可见现代的高楼建筑，构成曼彻斯特城市现代化与历史文化交织的一个典型景象。曼彻斯特大教堂（Manchester Cathedral），建于中世纪的这座哥特式建筑以其高耸的塔楼、高大的窗户、精美的彩色玻璃窗、复杂的石雕和尖顶设计闻名。教堂的内部和外部都具有极高的艺术和历史价值。

他们还去了曼彻斯特北区（Northern Quarter）的史密斯菲尔德市场（Smithfield Market），这里有独特的老建筑和复古风格的历史建筑如今已被改造成了商店、餐厅和艺术空间。有点像世界上许多城市的当代艺术区那样具有相似的再生和转型特点，如法国的蓬皮杜艺术中心，伦敦的泰特现代美术馆、北京的798艺术区等等。

人民历史博物馆（The People’s History Museum）是一个独特的文化空间，致力于保存和传承关于工人阶级历史的记忆，英国劳动人民和社会变革的历史，特别是工人阶级的斗争、民主发展和社会正义运动的历史。帝国战争博物馆（Imperial War Museum） 以其现代、独特的设计以及深刻的展览内容成为了曼彻斯特及其周边地区的重要文化场所，专注于展示20世纪以来战争对人们生活的影响。

正栋博士于3日一大早就来到酒店，把赵老师夫妇送到皮卡迪利火车站，送往了去格拉斯哥的火车 (上排照片右1 )。

8月3-7日，格拉斯哥。

8月3日上午11点多，我们安排的志愿人员、格拉斯哥大学电子信息工程专业的研究生南宇航【注释】到格拉斯哥火车站，把赵老师夫妇接送到SEC万怡酒店。

8月4日下午2点，我们安排的另一位志愿人员英国中非桥的执行总裁周霄飞博士，介绍了一位研究生卢纳熙，与南宇航一起陪同赵老师夫妇参观了历史文化遗迹格拉斯哥大学主楼，格拉斯哥大学博物馆，还有一些教学楼，如亚当斯密楼，商学院，统计楼，这些都是周博士读书和工作过的地方。大家还交流一下这个格拉斯哥的历史经济文化，包括造船业中心，还有苏格兰来自英国一些工业化的进程方面，并探讨了一些学术问题探讨。宇航补充道，赵老师还跟他们探讨了人工智能与人文科学之间的联系，以及国内外居住的不同感受。

以上照片从左至右：@雨巷 袁老师、格大孔院外方院长龙多、杜珍、赵可金、朱光磊、孔子学院中方院长周申（南开大学经济学教授）。

8月5日，赵老师夫妇参观了Glasgow Cathedral大教堂，在雨中参观了Riverside Museum和克莱德河，乘坐Sightseeing Tour围绕市中心转了转。Riverside Museum，

8月6日，上午，今天早上从Glasgow Central乘坐火车大约四十五分钟抵达Lanark小镇，去拜访当年欧文创办的社会主义公社，赵老师到？火车抵达拉纳克镇后，走路20多分钟抵达新拉纳克，这是坐落克莱德河山谷中的一个小村庄。距离拉纳克大约2.2公里。据说这个小村庄最早是由苏格兰商人大卫·戴尔（David Dale）在1786年建立，最初的打算是与发明了水力纺纱机的企业家理查·阿克莱特（Richard Arkwright）合作建设新拉纳克，可以利用湍急的克莱德河作为动力来修建水利纺织厂，把新拉纳克建设成为未来的苏格兰“曼彻斯特”。参观了New Lanark。

下午3点，与社会政治科学学院政治学教授、苏格兰中国研究中心主任杜珍Jane Duckett 教授在格拉斯哥大学孔子学院会谈。感谢正在格拉斯哥大学做学术交流的南开大学前副校长、全球中国学术院终身院士朱光磊教授的帮助，促成了这次会谈。杜珍对赵老师接受了她的建议，于5日下午和6日上午分别访问了Riverside Museum 和 New Lanark，并很有收获表示高兴。

《坤舆全图》是又一个转文化产品（transcultural prodect）。1）第一张引入中国的现代世界地图，结合了西方和东方的地理知识是继利玛窦（Matteo Ricci）于1602年坤舆万国全图 (Kunyu Wanguo Quantu) 。“坤”在中国古代哲学中代表地，是《易经》中八卦之一，象征着大地和母性；“舆”在古代汉语中有车的意思，但在地理学和制图学中，它指的是承载万物的大地或世界。因此，“坤舆”可以理解为“大地”或“世界”的意思。与其他西方地图的不同之处。这个名字强调了它的中国背景和中西结合的特性。2）“全图”即“完整的地图”，表示这是一张涵盖整个世界的地图。3）比利时科学家和耶稣会传教士南怀仁（Ferdinand Verbiest）受清朝皇帝康熙的邀请，成为了钦天监的天文学家，其《坤舆全图》反映了中西方在17世纪的科学和文化交流。4）利玛窦和南怀仁在中国绘制的世界地图，均结合了当时最新的西方地理知识和中国的传统地理知识。这种融合不仅为中国人提供了一个全面了解世界的机会，也促进了中西方在地理学、科技、文化、政治、外交等多方面的交流。

清河实验本省有纵向的比较价值，李强和学生们有一些成果，再把相关内容补充进来，可以成为一篇很好的文章。

赵：英国的乡村太美了，理解了为什么代议民主起源于英国乡村，梁凯：英国的人文灵魂绝对在乡村

8月7日， 伦敦（二）。【注释？】

中午赵老师夫妇回到了伦敦，已按计划是休整一下。稍事休息后，约我两点出发继续考察学术院院士之家周边出行购物等情况；同时了解代表团的住宿安排等。

先是去了Edgware地铁终点站和购物中心，向工作人员了解伦敦交通付费和线路等情况；接着去了Mill Hill Broadway火车站；经过Rising Sun 餐馆（赵老师居然认出来了），又经过一个老人养老社区，我们下来考察了一番。就是上面前两张照片

从养老社区出来后在转盘边有一家牛肉餐馆，我们院士之家上面介绍的第五条路线介绍过了，

然后我们就去了一家购物园，我想两位老师介绍，在Edgware购物中心里的Sainsbury’s 和购物园附近的Tesco是中等超市；Waitrose和M&S是较高档的超市；ASDA和Morrisons大概是中等偏下；有两家德国的小超市Lido和Aldi属于比较低端的，正好在这个购物园的M&S一边一个。

之后我们去了这次代表团下榻的酒店，后面几张都是酒店的照片，其中有一个张是一个婚礼的家人聚会。赵老师夫妇对这里比较满意，正好有人跟我们聊天。我们了解到他们是上这里来喝下午茶的，赵老师建议我们可以将此增加为第7条Walking and talking的路线，是个好主意。

赵老师夫妇比较便宜的Lidl买了一些吃的，说晚上一起做饭吃。他鸡肉丝炒茄子柳，鸡肉丝炒土豆丝，鸡蛋炒西红柿，我做了麻辣洋葱豆干丝，但是忘了煮饭，好在我们都不大吃主食，土豆和豆腐都有碳水化合物，开心地享用了我们自己动手的成果。这个经历非常难忘，不仅是这近一个月来，唯一的一次接受赵老师夫妇请吃的饭，赵老师不小心打破了我的一个精美的陶彩盘，虽然被修复了，也成为了永久的纪念。

晚饭后，赵老师跟我到我们高尔夫球去打球，虽然只打了五个洞，也算是锻炼了。

8月8-9日， 伦敦 （三）

博罗市场Borough Market 博罗市场是伦敦最古老和最著名的食品市场之一，位于伦敦桥附近的市中心。拥有超过一千年的历史，它是美食爱好者的活力中心，提供多种多样的新鲜农产品、美食和手工艺品。市场摊位出售从有机水果和蔬菜到国际美食、奶酪、肉类和烘焙食品等各种商品。博罗市场还以其热闹的氛围闻名，是当地人和游客体验伦敦美食的热门目的地。【注释】

赵可金夫妇，修整一天，不外出

8月10日，牛津（三）/ 伦敦（四）。

由信托会前主席Ingrid Cornfield 出席，她曾是恩菲尔德市的副市长，现仍任环球世纪出版社社长。余总是项目经理，明天将陪同@德行天下 赵老师一家去牛津等

在这是合影有一个小仪式，@朱光磊 朱校长和@德行天下 赵老师分别向学术院赠送小礼品。

Ingrid亲手摘的苹果和黑莓并亲自做的典型的英国Blackberry and Apple pie

8月11日，温莎 /伦敦（五）。

温莎，伊顿公学，威斯敏斯特教堂

“英国王室的韧性“问题比较有意义。以下是ChatGPT 4o的回答，仅供参考。“英国皇室的韧性，或可以理解为其在社会、政治、和文化风潮中屹立不倒的能力，是一个复杂而多层面的现象。这种韧性不仅仅体现在王室本身的存续上，还反映在其如何适应现代社会的变化，维持其作为国家象征的角色，以及应对各种危机和挑战。

### 历史背景与适应能力
– **长期的存续**: 英国王室的历史可以追溯到公元9世纪，在英国的历代变迁中，王室经历了君主权力的盛衰、宗教改革、内战、君主立宪制的确立等重大事件。每次变革中，王室都表现出极强的适应能力，通过与时俱进的改变，维持了其在英国社会中的重要地位。

– **君主立宪制**: 自17世纪光荣革命以来，英国王室逐步向君主立宪制过渡，君主的权力由绝对权力变为象征性权力。通过这种转变，王室在国家治理中保持了一种平衡，与民主制度和现代社会契合，从而避免了许多其他国家君主制的覆灭命运。

### 公共形象与文化象征
– **王室成员的公众形象**: 英国王室通过积极参与公众事务，尤其是慈善活动、外交访问和国家庆典等，维持了其与民众的密切联系。王室成员的个人形象，如伊丽莎白二世女王的稳重与献身精神，以及威廉王子和凯特王妃的现代家庭形象，极大地增强了王室在民众心中的亲和力和支持度。

– **传统与现代的结合**: 英国王室在保持传统的同时，也逐步融入现代文化。通过参与现代媒体、社交网络和公众活动，王室展现出与时俱进的一面。这种结合不仅维护了传统的威严和庄重，也使得王室能够更好地融入现代社会，吸引年轻一代的关注和支持。

### 危机管理与恢复力
– **应对丑闻与危机**: 英国王室在其历史上曾多次面临丑闻和危机，如戴安娜王妃的婚姻破裂及其去世、安德鲁王子的性丑闻等。尽管这些事件对王室声誉造成了一定的影响，但通过谨慎的公关策略和王室成员个人的努力，王室通常能够平稳度过危机，并逐步恢复其公众形象。

– **王室成员的变化与更新**: 随着时间推移，王室成员的新老交替也使得王室能够不断更新其形象。例如，威廉王子和哈里王子的公众形象以及他们的婚姻，为王室注入了现代和全球化的元素，增强了王室在全球范围内的影响力。

### 社会支持与认同
– **公众的支持**: 尽管英国社会中有不同的政治观点和对王室制度的看法，但整体而言，英国王室在英国社会中仍然享有较高的支持率。这种支持不仅来自于传统与文化的延续，也源于王室在国家稳定和认同中的象征性作用。

– **国家象征**: 英国王室作为国家的象征，超越了政治和社会的分歧，成为英国文化、历史和身份认同的象征。这种超然地位使得王室在复杂的社会环境中依然能够维持其核心地位。

### 总结
英国王室的韧性源于其在历史长河中逐步积累的适应能力、文化象征性、危机管理技巧以及与民众的深厚联系。尽管面临着现代社会的各种挑战，王室通过不断调整和自我更新，保持了其在英国乃至全球的独特地位。正是这种灵活性和稳定性，使得英国王室成为世界上最为持久和具有影响力的君主制之一。“

8月12日，伦敦（六）。

考文特花园（Covent Garden）

维多利亚和阿尔伯特博物馆（Victoria and Albert Museum, V&A）

皇家阿尔伯特音乐厅（Royal Albert Hall）

8月13日，伦敦（七）。

皇家汉普顿宫和皇家植物园。汉普敦宫（Hampton Court Palace）

事实上，汉普顿宫周围很大一片都是王室的土地，周围的风景如诗似画，景色宜人。拜访完王宫之后，来到了The Hampton Court Palace高尔夫俱乐部，午在俱乐部草场走了一段路之后，下午来到了基尤皇家植物园（Kew Gardens）参观，

晚餐 Rising Sun 

8月14日，剑桥。

伊利教堂

伊利大主教堂里面有一个雕塑，可能是著名艺术家**乔纳森·克拉克（Jonathan Clarke）创作的《生命之路》（Way of Life）雕塑。它是以铸铝制作，顶部是一个风格化的十字架，下方是一条弯曲的道路。这是对基督徒信仰之旅的现代诠释，蜿蜒的道路象征着朝圣者通往十字架的旅程，而十字架代表着基督教信仰中精神生活的最终目标。该雕塑显眼地安装在伊利大教堂的墙上，与教堂融合历史建筑与当代艺术的理念相呼应，这件艺术品成为大教堂内宏伟哥特式内部的一处焦点，邀请人们沉思并反思它所代表的精神旅程。…..

剑桥菲茨威廉博物馆（Fitzwilliam Museum），它是剑桥大学的艺术和古物博物馆，收藏了大量的艺术品和文物。据该馆亚洲部主任林政升博士介绍，

午餐

我们拜访了剑桥大学露西·卡文迪什学院（Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge），现任院长是玛德琳·阿特金斯教授

去年学术院点院士之家对外改革开放的第一年，接待的第一批代表团就是LCC副院长Alison Vinnicombe带来的剑桥团，包括剑桥菲茨威廉博物馆Fitzwilliam Museum T亚洲部主任林政升博士。大家相约彼此走动起来……今年是第一次单独接待与对话系列论坛无关的国内的代表团，希望以后彼此也走起来……

中餐。。 晚餐，烤鸭

8月15日 伦敦（八）

今天主要打卡了白厅（唐宁街十号）、内阁办公厅、商务和贸易部、文化媒体与体育部、教育部、能源安全与零排放部、环境食品和乡村服务部、外交联邦与发展事务部、卫生和社会福利部、内政部、住房社区和地方事务部、司法部、交通部、财政部等部门，英国的政府部门彼此距离比较近，大多是一些白色建

今天也考察了位于波特兰坊的英国广播公司（BBC）。BBC成立于1922年，是英国最大的新闻广播机

天也到伦敦西区的中国环球电视网（CGTN）欧洲代表处考察。这几年，CGTN在海外有了很快发展。。。，BBC没有总部的概念，英国不同地区都有办公地点，相对灵活。伦敦的BBC大楼仍然是新闻部最主要的办公地点。具体可在https://www.bbcstudios.com/contact/our-locations/ 查看

8月16日 伦敦（九）

主题是英国经济金融以及伦敦的大都市治理，考察了伦敦金融城的英格兰银行、伦敦证券交易所以及部分大企业的伦敦总部所在地等。

走进作为英国央行的英格兰银行博物馆，系统了解了一下英格兰银行的成长史。

支撑伦敦金融城的另一个板块是英国皇家交易所。

我们下午来到伦敦大区新建的City Hall考察，

8月17日 伦敦（十）

最后，借用赵可金教授在2024年七-八月间中国六高校访英群的致谢结束这篇博文：“感谢清华的慷慨资助，感谢全球中国学术院的精心接待，感谢家人的亲情陪伴，感谢一路上无数朋友的无私帮助。面对未来，吾将风雨兼程！”

注释：

1. 2023年11月，马丁·阿尔布劳教授在清华大学住了两个星期…
2. 感谢非常感谢全球中国学术院邀请的志愿人员接力棒式的接应和陪同！他们是牛津段的@语桐 ：UCL博士生程语桐，伯明翰段的@SHU WANG（澍） ，英国大道教育咨询集团总裁、伯明翰华埠商会执行主席王澍斌王总及伯大的几位博士，曼彻斯特段的@William 栋栋 胡正栋博士是《英国社会学评论》期刊的博士后研究员，格拉斯哥段的@小蘑菇兔儿 格大研究生南宇航，南同学明早还要送赵老师夫妇取机场，完成格拉斯哥最后一棒；格拉斯哥的行程较长、还要感谢@Jiangfeng 周霄飞博士，他是中非桥执行总裁、英中科创（创始）会长。很高兴你们都认为这段经历对你们也是有益的。前面我已经向赵老师和袁老师约稿了，如果书出版了，你们的名字和照片都会与书一起存世的，再次感谢大家🙏
3. 我们在向志愿人员分配工作前交代，要确保从车站到酒店和酒店回车站的顺利通畅，并且报销送往迎来的车费。各种参观景点是否陪同取决于彼此的时间和兴趣。

On January 20, 2024, Professor Zhao Kejin, Deputy Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, visited the Global China Academy Centre. He brought with him the last wish of the late Professor LI Qiang (1950-2023), former Chinese Chair of the Global China Academy Council—namely, to continue developing the relationship between the two institutions. Professor Zhao also discussed matters of cooperation. Additionally, he brought a gift from Professor FANG Lili, President of the China Chinese for Anthropology of Arts, her book Fei Xiaotong’s Inquiry: How Human Society Can Achieve ‘Beauty in Diversity and Shared Harmony’, as well as a personal gift of his own books.

As the Chinese Chair of the Global China Academy Council, the sudden passing of Professor LI Qiang in December last year was a significant loss for our academy【Note 1】. We remember with gratitude his support for our work over the past decade and his contributions to the cooperative relationship between the two academies. For example, during the 6th Global China Dialogue: Governance for World Peace, he recommended Professor ZHAO Kejin to come to the UK to deliver the closing address. During the preparation for the 7th Global China Dialogue: Reforming Global Governance, he confirmed that the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University would be a supporting institution for the Global China Dialogue series, with Tsinghua University’s Institute for Global Industry as a sponsor. He also arranged for all Chinese speakers, including those from the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he ensured that our 7th Global China Dialogue was successfully held as a hybrid event at the British Academy in 2021.

 

To further strengthen and consolidate the connection between the two parties, we hope to continue and deepen this cooperative relationship through collaboration with the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University. The academy places great importance on the visits of Tsinghua scholars to the UK, and the invitation letter was jointly signed by Professor Tony McEnery, Chair of the Academy Council, and myself. We directly handle and arrange academic exchanges with British experts and scholars. Unlike previous outsourced commercial services, our administrative team has ensured that key reception activities will be personally overseen by our team leaders. Additionally, at the request of Tsinghua University, we have arranged volunteers, friends, and professionals in locations such as London, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cambridge to assist or accompany the visitors. We also established a WeChat group to share information promptly, ensuring that each stage of the visit runs smoothly. In this context, Professor Zhao Kejin conducted a study tour from July 27 to August 16, focusing on modern British modernization and its global development experience. The following is a brief chronological review of this process, presented with images and text.

 

This time, there were two visiting projects from Tsinghua University: one was Professor ZHAO Kejin’s field visits on modern British modernization and its global development experience from July 27 to August 16; the other was a visit by representatives from four universities in Beijing and Shanghai to the UK from August 17 to 23, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence and global governance. At the request of Tsinghua University, we arranged for volunteers, friends, professionals and academic in London, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cambridge to assist or accompany the visitors. We also established a WeChat group to promptly share information, ensuring that each stage of the visit proceeded smoothly. The following is a brief chronological review of this process, presented with images and text.

 

On July 27, the academy’s event officer Kai Liang welcomed Professor Zhao Kejin, his wife, and his son at London Heathrow Airport (T2) at 17:45. Due to delays at customs, they did not arrive at The Madonna Halley Hotel’s The Shisha Garden until 20:30. This is a Greek garden restaurant with an exotic atmosphere, adorned with lush vegetation and carefully designed lighting, creating a mysterious and enchanting ambiance. The academy’s logistics manager, David Liu, and I hosted a welcoming dinner for them there.

 

The dinner was also diverse, featuring dishes such as the mezze platter, which included halloumi cheese, hummus, tzatziki, pita bread, olives, cucumber, and tomato salad; and the chicken mezze platter, which also included chicken breast slices in addition to the above items. Everyone was particularly impressed with the halloumi cheese, noting that it resembled dried tofu. There were also mixed wraps, including marinated chicken breast and lamb with tzatziki sauce, sweet chili sauce, gherkins, and pink pickles, all wrapped in tortillas and served with chips or salad; and Caesar chicken wraps, featuring crispy chicken fillets, lettuce, tomato, Caesar dressing, and a hint of sweet chili sauce, also wrapped in tortillas and served with chips or salad. Additionally, there were nachos topped with cheese and meat, accompanied by salsa, sour cream, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, and cheese dip. These dishes showcased a fusion of flavours, offering a variety of textures and taste experiences, emphasizing a different kind of culinary delight and shared dining style compared to Chinese cuisine.

After dinner, having coffee and tea—a dining habit that combines elements of health, tradition, culture, and social interaction—added much enjoyment and benefit to the evening. The following photos show scenes of everyone chatting and drinking from the dining room to the garden, with everyone leaving fully satisfied.

The photo on the bottom right was taken the next morning when I went to Professor Zhu’s residence to bid farewell to his family. When asked if he felt homesick after coming to the UK, he replied, ‘My whole family is here, and we’ve enjoyed the home-like hospitality at the Fellows’ Home, so of course, I’ll miss this home!’ As I watched the minibus take Professor Zhu and his family to the airport, I felt a deep sense of admiration for the seamless coordination among our colleagues and team during this first-time reception of a Fellow and his family at our Fellows’ Home.

继2023年全球中国学术院中心实施“改革开放政策”的第一年之后，2024年8月2日至11日，全球中国学术院终身院士、南开大学前副校长朱光磊教授访问了英国。这是学术院首次接待来自中国的院士，我们期望通过与朱光磊教授的进一步交流，扩大与中国及相关学术界的联系和影响，同时宣传“院士之家”对院士及其家属的温馨接待，树立全球院士接待的典范。虽然朱教授的行程短暂，但整个过程值得在此分享，以供全球各地的学术院院士及相关单位参考。

1. 邀请安排

2024年6月初，朱光磊教授与我联系，表示他将在暑假期间访问英国。经过与负责院士工作的副院长彼得·施罗德（Peter Schröder）教授的沟通，我们联名为朱校长【注释1】签发了邀请函。邀请函中明确说明，作为学术院的院士，他本人和家人均可在我们的“院士之家”免费住宿一周（详见院士待遇第12项，此外还包括其他多项待遇）。朱校长表示，希望通过访问英国及与学术院的互动来扩大学术影响。同时，他也愿意顺便做学术讲座，并提供了两个讲稿：一个是“政府职能转变的过程与逻辑”，另一个是“现阶段中国阶层格局变化的十大新特点”。由于此次行程还包括与格拉斯哥大学的深度交流，他将先前往格拉斯哥，再到伦敦。他对学术院表示感谢，但已预订了旅店，因此，不会在学术院的“院士之家”住宿。对此，我们感到非常遗憾，并希望以此为契机，广泛宣传学术院的院士待遇。这样，未来院士及其家人到伦敦时，就可以避免像朱校长及其家人这样在食宿和交通等方面的额外支出。

2. 格拉斯哥活动

根据朱校长的行程安排，他们于8月2日至7日在格拉斯哥的活动由格拉斯哥大学社会与政治科学学院政治系苏格兰中国研究中心主任杜珍（Jane Duckett）教授负责接待与安排。在此，仅分享其中两例。

以下照片展示了朱校长参观格拉斯哥市政厅的情景。左边的照片是在一个会议室或议事厅，华丽的木质装饰风格体现了维多利亚时期对细节的关注，雕刻精美，代表了当时的建筑风格和工艺水平。彩绘玻璃窗是格拉斯哥市政厅内部的一大特色，这些玻璃描绘了象征性图案或城市徽章，展示了格拉斯哥的历史和文化。右边的照片中，天花板上的雕刻和绘画十分精美，许多地方使用了大理石和金箔装饰，展现出当时市政府的权威和富裕；大型的历史油画以及复杂的铁艺栏杆，这些元素体现了市政厅作为城市权力象征的重要性。市政厅作为城市的象征，反映了格拉斯哥在不同时期的历史文化发展和社会变迁。

由于朱校长访问韩国的原因，他到英国度假的日期推迟到了八月初。与清华大学社会科学学院副院长赵可金教授访问格拉斯哥的时间有所重叠。在朱校长的帮助与协调下，促成了杜珍教授与赵可金教授的会谈。以下照片从左至右依次为：赵可金教授的爱人、格拉斯哥大学孔子学院外方院长龙多、杜珍教授、赵可金教授、朱光磊校长及孔院中方院长、南开大学经济学教授周申。之后，他们与孔院的老师们一起参观了校园。

3. 伦敦市区及周边的活动

8月8日晚上7点多，我来到位于Willesden Green的朱校长下榻的旅店，欢迎他们全家。感谢朱校长的体贴，这里的邮编是NW2，与学术院的院士之家（NW7）只有不到20分钟的车程，在偌大的伦敦几乎可以说是近邻了！基于中国知识分子传统的“破万卷书、行万里路”理念，我们加了两句“食国际餐、交四方友”，并选择了他们驻地附近的一家土耳其餐馆来接待他们。这家Lezziz Charcoal Grill餐馆内部装饰简约，但氛围温馨，提供正宗的土耳其烤肉和丰富的地中海美食。以下照片左上为我们的“大家庭照”（自左至右）：朱校长的儿子、儿媳、夫人、孙女、他本人和我；在享用完丰富的地中海沙拉后，上来的烧烤大餐相当于左下图中的两倍，之后的甜食和茶也都挺别致。席间，我们讨论了中餐与土耳其餐从形式到内容的区别，欣赏对他们这种“美人之美”和“美美与共”的态度。朱校长说，英国的餐厅比国内的热闹，餐后回来的路上，我注意到不少餐厅也挺冷清的，说明我的选择还不错，大家也挺满意。我认为，出国时间宝贵，穿衣除外，食住行都应该是与在国内不同的体验。

8月9日至10日，朱校长一家在朋友和学术院后勤经理刘大卫的陪同下，分别参观了伦敦及周边的景点。

10日下午，朱校长及全家来到学术院的院士之家，受到了热情的接待。以下照片自左至右、自上而下分别是：我对当天的活动进行了简单介绍；朱校长向学术院赠送了礼品。他表示，这是天津杨柳青的“莲年有余”年画【注释2】，愿它为全球中国学术院带来美好的祝愿。接着，赵可金教授分别向我和学术院信托会前主席、环球世纪出版社社长Ingrid Cranfield 赠送了小礼品。

以下这张是扩大的“大家庭照”，包括朱校长一家三代五口及一位朋友、赵老师一家三口、学术院的四位工作人员。除了我和Ingrid之外，还有后勤经理刘大卫（后排右四）和项目经理余莉（后排右一）。感谢他们二人分别驱车陪同两家到牛津等地参观访问。

接下来是自由交流时间（见以下照片）。

晚宴为西餐，分别在两个餐厅举行：10人在主餐厅，朱校长的儿子一家三口在花园房餐厅（见下图上排左右）。事后才意识到，这三道菜是意大利、法国和英国风味的组合。

• 头盘包括两部分：一部分是地中海风格的调味牛油果（Seasoned Avocado），牛油果去核后一分为二，在果肉中淋上意大利香醋、橄榄油，并撒上黑胡椒。这道菜突出牛油果的奶油质感和淡淡的坚果香气，同时意大利香醋的酸味和橄榄油的果香增添了层次感；另一部分是香草腰果甜菜根沙拉（Beetroot Salad with Basil and Cashews），使用了在附近农场自己采摘的甜菜根，煮熟后搭配新鲜的罗勒叶和腰果，再拌上橄榄油，形成一种既清新又带有坚果风味的沙拉。
• 主菜：由于朱校长表示他想吃烤鱼，因此我们准备了烤蛋黄酱三文鱼配海松草、黄油小土豆和紫芥兰（Gratinéed Salmon with Samphire, Buttered Potatoes, and Purple Sprouting Broccoli），这道菜结合了许多法式料理的经典元素，因此可以归类为法式风味的菜肴。
• 甜点：苹果黑莓派（Apple and Blackberry Pie）和奶油，都是Ingrid自制的。这是一道经典的英式甜点，结合了苹果的甜味和黑莓的微酸，外皮酥脆，内馅多汁，再配上绵滑浓郁的自制白色奶油，奶油的洁白与派的金黄、果馅的紫红形成了漂亮的色彩对比，不仅提升了整体的餐桌体验，其乳香与派的果香结合在一起也形成了鲜明的口感对比，营造出非常舒适的味觉享受。【注释3】

最重要的是，制作这两个苹果黑莓派的每一个苹果和每一粒黑莓都是Ingrid亲自采摘的，希望我们的学术院院士和家人在院士之家能够真正体验到家的感觉，并带走亲情般的美好记忆。

晚餐后喝咖啡和茶，这种综合了健康、习惯、文化和社交等多重因素的饮食行为，为晚餐后的时光增添了不少乐趣和益处。以下照片展示了大家一边喝饮料一边聊天的场景，从餐厅一直到花园，最后大家都尽兴而归。

下排右边的照片是第二天早上我到朱校长的住地为他们全家送行。当问及朱校长到英国后是否想家时，他说：“全家都在这里，并且享受到了院士之家的家庭式接待，当然会想这个家啊！”目送着小巴把朱校长全家带往机场，心中对这次我们学术院的同事和团队首次接待学术院院士及其全家的默契配合感到由衷的感佩！

注释：

1. 2018年，在第五届全球中国对话——全球正义治理的筹备期间，我们邀请到的中方主旨发言嘉宾是南开大学副校长朱光磊教授。由于一开始被介绍的是“朱校长”这个称谓，之后我们便沿用了这一称呼。

2. 这是一幅起源于明代的中国著名民间艺术天津杨柳青的年画，画中的莲花象征着纯洁与高尚，儿童象征着纯真与希望，鲤鱼象征着吉祥和丰收。此画名为“莲年有余”，这四个字取其“年年有余”的谐音。

3. 这里详细介绍了晚宴的内容，对英语读者来说可能是多余的。然而，以下几个例子鼓励我在博客中自由写作。

• 记得我们的英文编辑在编辑“全球中国学术院两天团建活动：融合学术洞察与文化、历史及自然探索”的博文时，建议删掉在“真正的希腊”The Real Greek餐厅点餐及相关议论的部分，因为在英国人看来这些内容“枯燥”（boring）。
• 这让我想起了环球世纪出版社出版的一本书《文化鸿沟——中国生长的英国播音主持人手记》，作者是柯鸿冈（Paul Crook），出版于2017年。这是一本中文书，他认为不宜翻译成英文，因为对英国人来说会觉得“枯燥”（boring）。我接受了他的判断，因为他在英语和中文的双重语境中成长。鸿冈的父亲大卫·柯鲁克（David Crook，1910-2000）是英国共产主义者、作家和教师，母亲伊莎白·柯鲁克（Isabel Crook，1915-2023）是英属加拿大籍社会人类学家、教授、教育家。他们合著了《十里店：中国一个村庄的革命》（Revolution in a Chinese Village, Ten Mile Inn, 1959）和《十里店：中国一个村庄的群众运动》（Ten Mile Inn: Mass Movement in a Chinese Village, New York: Pantheon Books, 1979）等书籍。他们从1949年起一直在北京外国语大学教授英语。
• 还有一个例子，就是我们的美编在《环球出版社出版指南与体例》中的“中英双语排版规则”（3.1.2 GCP style rules for rendering Chinese-English dual languages）加了一段话：“给英文读者的注释：以下两节（3.1.2 和 3.1.3）与您无关。它们主要包含有关环球世纪出版社海外中文版本排版的信息，这种将英文和中文排版风格结合起来的跨文化过程是为海外中文读者服务的”（第26页）。我借用这个注释，作为给我所有博文读者的说明，无论是英文还是中文读者。

常向群，2024年8月22日

Impressions and Reflections on Birmingham in the UK[1]

July 30-31, 2024

ZHAO Kejin, YUAN Lijuan

On July 30th, after approximately a two-hour journey, departing from the scholarly haven of Oxford, rich with academic atmosphere, we arrived at the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham.! Birmingham, as the industrial hub of central England, is also the second-largest city in the UK after London, and it’s a magical place with many stories!

For many who still perceive the UK through the various news of the British royal family or the Premier League teams, it’s unavoidable to recognize the over 200 years of industrialization that the UK began. This era propelled human technology, wealth, art, and life to a peak period, significantly widening the modern development gap between the East and the West! We can’t help but ask, did all this originate merely from the bubbles rising in Watt’s eyes?      

Next to our hotel was the ancient canal path of Birmingham, with many old buildings and facility remnants from its days as a loading and unloading dock still preserved. One can imagine the bustling scenes and the sweaty work environment of the past, as people laboured hard for a better future! In the period around 1776, Britain’s production was still backward, markets were fragmented, and there were some gaps between people and a life of more wealth and freedom! Many people traveled long distances, setting sail across the ocean to seek a free and beautiful world, while those who stayed had to think hard within the existing structure to seek breakthroughs!

Top Left Photo: This is a view of the canal area in central Birmingham, featuring historical landmarks such as ‘Regency Wharf’ and ‘Rum Runner Works,’ part of the city’s extensive canal network. The photo shows the coexistence of red brick buildings and modern architecture, highlighting the blend of old and new in this area. Top Right Photo: This is Brindley place and its surrounding areas in central Birmingham, known for its beautiful canal scenery, historical buildings, and modern facilities. The modern buildings on the left contrast with the historical buildings on the right, with high-rise buildings and bridges over the canal adding layers to the cityscape, showcasing the city’s diverse development and vibrant urban character. Bottom Left Photo: This is a building in Birmingham’s canal area, with an old crane and pulley system on top, once used for canal cargo loading and unloading, symbolizing the canal trade and industrial activity of the past. The large mural depicting plants on its exterior wall combines industrial, artistic, and historical elements of the canal area. Bottom Right Photo: This is an iron bridge in Birmingham’s canal area, manufactured in 1827 by the Horseley Iron Works in Staffordshire, known for high-quality iron products. The bridge showcases 19th-century industrial technology and design, reflecting the engineering and manufacturing achievements of the British Industrial Revolution.

Birmingham is indeed the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. However, the secret of British industrialization has not been extended to ecological research. Britain, an island nation surrounded by the sea, relied heavily on maritime transport. However, focusing only on the sea wouldn’t have led to the Industrial Revolution, as seen in Indonesia and India, where no such revolution occurred. The British Industrial Revolution was closely linked to canal digging, similar to China’s Grand Canal and the Red Flag Canal in Linzhou, Henan.     

Before the 18th century, Britain had no canal system of its own. The presence of the Pennine and Cambrian Mountains caused rivers like the Thames, Severn, and Trent to flow into the North Sea and the Irish Sea, preventing inland water retention and hindering transportation. Carriage transport was backward. However, as factory handcrafts transformed into machine-driven large-scale industry, with factories emerging in 1721, Watt inventing the steam engine in 1776, trains appearing in 1830, and a nationwide railway network established by 1850, it’s clear that railways were a result, not a driver, of industrialization. Over a century before railways, industrialization accelerated due to the construction of the Bridgewater Canal in 1759.       

The digging of canals was spurred by coal and iron ore discoveries in Manchester and Birmingham, with canal transport capacity far exceeding that of carriages. This success prompted British merchants to invest in canal systems. James Brindley planned the Grand Cross Canal, linking Liverpool on the west coast, the Mersey River, and London on the east coast, the Thames River, with the Humber River and Severn River ports. Birmingham, at the intersection of this canal, gained immense industrialization opportunities, poised at this historical crossroads to seize them.

Thus, Birmingham is an industrial city pulled by the Grand Cross Canal, the mother river of British industrialization. This foundation led to the development of the Grand Junction Canal, transforming Britain’s ecological system and setting the stage for industrialization. The engine of the British Empire was ignited, leading the UK into a new era of world history.       

Top Left Photo: This is a serene section of the canal area in Birmingham, with three Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) leisurely swimming. The sign on the building’s lower right corner reads ‘The Malt House,’ a historic restaurant or pub in the canal area, showcasing the perfect blend of nature and man-made structures. Top Right Photo: This is a view of the canal area in central Birmingham, with historic red brick industrial or warehouse buildings on the left, now possibly repurposed for modern use, and modern glass buildings on the right, highlighting the stark contrast between old and new. Bottom Photo 1（from left to right）: This is a view from inside a canal tunnel in Birmingham, looking out towards the red brick buildings and the small path along the canal, with bridges and modern buildings in the distance, showcasing the blend of old and new in the canal area. Bottom Photo 2: This is part of the ‘Mailbox’ building in central Birmingham, a landmark combining shopping, dining, hotels, and offices. The photo shows restaurant or bar signs like ‘BOX’ and ‘Pitcher & Piano,’ located within the Mailbox. The architectural style blends modern and traditional elements, reminiscent of commercial areas near Shanghai’s City God Temple, perhaps inspiring modern large shopping and entertainment complexes. Bottom Photo 3: This is the exterior of a traditional pub in Birmingham, with signs by the door listing services such as traditional hand-pulled ales and ciders, heated smoking area, open fire, bar snacks, and disabled facilities, reflecting the traditional décor and typical atmosphere of British pubs. Bottom  Photo 4: This is a statue of Edward VII in Victoria Square, Birmingham, with the base inscription explaining his reign as King of the United Kingdom from 1901 to 1910. As the eldest son of Queen Victoria, during his reign, he significantly enhanced Britain’s position on the international stage and its social progress by promoting social reforms and modern diplomatic policies. Victoria Square is also home to many other historical monuments and artworks, as well as important buildings like the Birmingham Town Hall and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

If James Brindley’s planning of the Grand Cross Canal started the engine that ushered the UK into a new era of world history, then James Watt’s discovery of steam’s industrial value and his invention of the machines to harness that value radically transformed human production and lifestyle. Following Watt, many others pushed these unprecedented discoveries and inventions to new heights.        

These two photos were taken at Birmingham’s Thinktank Science Museum, located at Millennium Point, an interactive science museum showcasing various exhibits from the Industrial Revolution to modern technology. Left Photo: This is an ancient steam locomotive, demonstrating the complexity and aesthetics of mechanical manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. The design includes large drive wheels, a complex piping system, and various valves and instruments. Its working principle involves burning coal or wood to heat water, generating steam whose pressure drives pistons, which in turn rotate the wheels, showcasing the engineering achievements and technological progress of the steam power era. Steam locomotives were widely used in industrial and transportation fields in the 19th and early 20th centuries, propelling the progress of the Industrial Revolution. Right Photo: This is a high-wheeled bicycle (Penny-farthing) that was very popular in the late 19th century. The design aimed to increase riding speed since a larger front wheel could cover more distance per rotation. However, due to its instability and tendency to cause falls, it was later replaced by safer and more practical modern bicycles.

Our world is a time-space combination based on energy. With humanity’s current cognitive abilities, we can only perceive and utilize about 5% of time-space energy, with much of the unknown world awaiting our exploration! The exploratory spirit of Watt and his successors, given their limited resources, has already created such a brilliant situation. Imagine the future with countless possibilities, where we seek the value of life in the interplay of the finite and the infinite! What we can see is always just a small part of the totality we possess. Discovery pertains to stock; invention pertains to increment; exploration pertains to infinity. This perhaps embodies the profound and implicit meaning of Chinese words. In the longing for a better life, there is no difference among various races, countries, or civilizations!

During our two-day flying visit in Birmingham, another deeply touching aspect was the presence of a group of people from our homeland, overseas Chinese! For livelihood or studies, they left their homeland, rooted themselves here, and sought development at the intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations, facing imaginable difficulties and challenges! However, they are a wise group, finding suitable living spaces with their strong vitality, integrating into the local energy environment, and becoming one with it! Whether from Darwin’s natural selection or the Chinese saying that ‘a tree thrives by moving, and a person thrives by relocating,’ migration is about opening up new energy fields.      

Left Photo: President Wang Shubin of the British Avenue Consulting Group with his colleagues (middle front row and back row) hosted a Cantonese meal for Professors Zhao and Yuan at Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant, ranked third among the best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham. Right Photo (from left to right): Dr Yongjian Li, Prof ZHAO Kejin, Ms YUAN Lijuan and Dr Mengda WU in front of a blue plaque commemorating Professor Li Siguang at the University of Birmingham.

Photo 1（from left to right）: Above the commemorative plaque for Professor Li Siguang pointed out by Professor Zhao Kejin, from top to bottom, are plaques for Charles Lapworth (1882-1923, pioneering work on mountain range formation), Frederick Shotton (1949-1974, advancing understanding of climate change), and Professor Li Siguang (1889-1971, geologist and politician, made pioneering contributions to Chinese geology and natural resource research, received a doctorate from the University of Birmingham in 1927). Photo 2: Chris and Maggie with Professors Zhao and Yuan in front of the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower (Old Joe) at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston Campus, showcasing the university’s history and neoclassical architectural style. Photos 3 and 4 (from left to right): Ms YUAN Lijuan, Prof ZHAO Kejin, Dr Yongjian Li, Dr Mengda Wu and Dr Deqing Rong of Birmingham University looking up at the clock tower.

The spread of human civilization is accompanied by human migration, with outward movement always being a positive choice for growth! A child cannot be sheltered under their parents’ wings forever, nor can a nation remain isolated in arrogance! The fusion of different bloodlines and genes gives birth to greater wisdom; stagnation and self-righteousness are undesirable! Buddhism teaches that despising others is a great sin, perhaps laying a spiritual foundation for integration! This integration does not mean the disappearance of uniqueness but finding commonality in differences, learning from others to accurately position oneself, and giving the unknown world necessary respect![2] Just like Birmingham’s extensive canal network or China’s historical Grand Canal, utilizing existing waterways and creating new channels have facilitated communication and trade across regions, diminishing divisions and differences, while conflict and opposition often come with isolation and barriers!

As the train heads towards Manchester, the scenery outside the window keeps shifting, and the future awaits our continuous exploration…

Edited by Xiangqun Chang, 1^st August 2024

[1] Editor’s Note: This blog is edited by Xiangqun Chang. The extensive footnotes aim to use the blog as an example for help to understand the Global China Academy. The captions of all the photos, proofreading, and English translation were assisted by ChatGPT-4o.

1. Professor ZHAO Kejin, Vice Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Director of the Global Industry Research Institute at Tsinghua University, along with his wife, Yuan Lijuan, were invited by the Global China Academy to conduct an investigation tour and academic exchanges in the UK from July 27 to August 24, 2024. The theme of the investigation tour is ‘Modernization of the UK and Its Global Development Experience.’ Their travel route included London-Oxford-Birmingham-Manchester-Glasgow-London-Cambridge, etc. At each location, volunteers arranged by the academy were present to receive or accompany them.
2. We would like to thank the Zhejiang UK Association (ZJUKA) for providing contacts in Oxford, Birmingham, and Glasgow. ZJUKA was one of the supporters of the 2nd Global China Dialogue on ‘Transculturality and New Global Governance’ in 2015. About the ‘transculturality’, in the postscript of the Proceedings of the 1st Global China Dialogue: The Experience of China’s Modernization from a Comparative Perspective, I pointed out, ‘Another key outcome of this dialogue was the recognition of the similarities and differences between various types of dialogue. Cross-Cultural Dialogue refers to exchanges between people from different cultural backgrounds, aiming to understand and respect each other’s cultural differences; Intercultural Dialogue involves deep communication between different cultures to build bridges and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts; Transcultural Dialogue goes beyond the boundaries of a single culture, integrating elements from different cultures to create new cultural consensus. The Global China Dialogue platform will address the challenges of global governance through Transcultural Dialogue and explore the possibilities of mutual benefit, symbiosis, coexistence, and prosperity’ (Page 45, 2016).
3. The book Walking for Peace: Transcultural Experiences from a Journey in China, edited by ZJUKA’s founding president Lady Xuelin Li Bates, has been published in both English and Chinese by our Global Century Press. This book is based on the blog posts of her husband, Lord Michael Bates, during his walk from Beijing to Hangzhou in 2015, marking the 70th anniversary of China’s victory in the Anti-Japanese War. The book is part of the ‘Three Eyes Transcultural Series,’ requiring authors to write with three perspectives: ethnic Chinese, culturally Chinese, or having some overseas living experience, and once own working experience. As a ‘son-in-law of China,’ some of Lord Bates’ content reflects this perspective. The book also presents a comparative viewpoint; while Lord Bates served as the UK’s Minister of State for International Development, he contemplated the shipbuilding industries of China, Korea, and the UK during his walk along the Grand Canal.
4. The Birmingham visit of ZHAO Kejin and YUAN Lijuan was hosted and arranged by Wang Shubin, President of the UK Pathway Consultancy and Executive President of the Birmingham Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, along with his colleagues. The publication of this blog post on the Global China Academy’s website is also a token of appreciation for their assistance during Professor Zhao and Ms. Yuan’s visit to Birmingham.

[2] Editor’s Note:

1. This blog, co-authored by ZHAO Kejin and YUAN Lijuan, vividly presents the 16-character methodology of renowned Chinese sociologist and anthropologist Fei Xiaotong: ‘Appreciate the beauty of oneself, appreciate the beauty of others, share the beauty with all, and achieve harmony in the world.’ For example, Mr Shubin Wang welcomed Professor Zhao and Ms. Yuan with Cantonese cuisine at Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant, ranked third among the best Chinese restaurants in appreciating Chinese food in the UK. Numerous photos of canals, buildings, daily life, plaques commemorating scientists, and museums exhibit ‘appreciating the beauty of others.’ The coexistence of traditional and modern, natural, cultural, industrial elements, and diverse food cultures demonstrates ‘sharing the beauty with all.’ In their reflections at the end of the blog, the authors mention that ‘finding commonality in differences means learning from others to accurately position oneself and giving due respect to the unknown world!’ This echoes the transculturality promoted by the Global China Academy and, in some sense, surpasses the concept of ‘achieving harmony in the world,’ resonating with Fei’s later advocacy of ‘harmony but not uniformity.’
2. Global Century Press publishes a series of books on eight themes, including: Chinese Concepts, Chinese Discourse, Understanding China and the World, Comparative Perspectives on China and the Chinese, Globalization of Chinese Social Sciences, “Three Eyes” Transcultural, Research on China’s Urbanization, and Cutting-edge and Avant-garde Studies. Each series includes academic works, policy research, investigation reports, and popular humanities and social science books. The book Walking for Peace has the nature of an investigation report, featuring over 300 colour photos and numerous photo descriptions provided by authors with sociological training, reflecting methods of visual sociology and visual anthropology. The blog also has a certain global and comparative perspective and many photos. Global Century  Press looks forward to adding a new book to the ‘Three Eyes Transcultural Series’ titled ‘Investigating Modernization and Global Development Experience of Modern Britain’ (tentative title), with this blog possibly being included.

行走英国之伯明翰印象及感想[1]

2024年7月30-31日

赵可金  袁丽娟

         7月30日早，经过大概两小时的车程，我们就从浓郁书卷气息的学术胜地的牛津来到了工业革命的发祥地伯明翰！伯明翰，作为英国中部的工业重镇，也是仅次于伦敦的英国第二大城市，同时它是个神奇的有故事的地方！

        如果很多人还在从英王室的各种新闻、从英超的各大球队来认识英国，不可回避的是英国开启的两百多年的工业化时代，这一时代把整个人类的科技、财富、艺术、生活等推向了一个巅峰时期，也正式拉开了东西方近代的发展差距！我们不禁会问，这一切的发端，难道仅仅是因为瓦特眼中那一串串升腾的气泡吗？

        酒店旁边便是伯明翰古老的运河故道，至今还保存了当年作为装卸码头的很多老建筑和设施遗迹，可以想象出当年的人声鼎沸场景和挥汗如雨的工作画面，人们为了获得更美好的未来生活，努力劳作！1776年前后的英国，生产还是落后的，市场还是割裂的，人们跟拥有更多财富的自由生活总有那么一段距离！很多人不惜长途跋涉，扬帆远行去大洋彼岸，去寻找自由美好的世界，而留下来的人，更需要在固有的结构中去苦苦思考，寻求突破！

左上图：这是位于英国伯明翰市中心的运河区景色，其地标包括“Regency Wharf”和“Rum Runner Works”这两个历史悠久的伯明翰运河网络的一部分。照片中红砖建筑和现代建筑的并存展现了这个区域的新旧结合。右上图：这是伯明翰市中心的运河区布林德利广场（Brindleyplace）及其周围区域，这里以其美丽的运河景观、历史建筑和现代设施而闻名。照片左侧是现代建筑，右侧前面是历史建筑，后面的高层建筑和运河上的桥梁增加了城市景观的层次感。运河上有一座拱桥连接两岸。这种新旧建筑的结合展示了伯明翰城市发展的多样性，以及既有历史底蕴又充满现代活力的城市特色。左下图：这是伯明翰运河区的一栋建筑，建筑上方有一个旧式吊臂和滑轮装置，这个吊臂曾用于运河货物的装卸，象征了过去的运河贸易和工业活动，显示了这个区域的工业历史。其外墙上有一幅巨大描绘植物的壁画，展示了伯明翰运河区工业、艺术与历史元素的结合。右下图：这是伯明翰运河区的一座铁桥，是由位于斯塔福德郡的以高质量铁制品闻名的霍斯利铁工厂（Horseley Iron Works）于1827年制造的。此桥梁展示了19世纪的工业技术和设计风格以及工业革命时期英国在工程和制造方面的成就。

         在伯明翰是工业革命的发源地。然而，对于英国工业化的秘密，一直没有拓展到生态体系的研究上。英国是一个岛国，四周都是海洋，英国运输更依赖于海洋。然而，如果只关注海洋，是不会产生工业革命的，就像印度尼西亚、印度都没有产生工业革命。英国的工业革命与运河挖掘有很大关系，类似于在中国的大运河及河南林州看到的红旗渠。

        英国在18世纪之前没有自己的运河体系。由于奔宁山脉和坎布里亚山脉的存在，导致英国的泰晤士河、奎文河、特伦特河等均向四周流入北海和爱尔兰海，英国内陆存不住水，交通很不便利，马车运输很落后。然而，随着工厂手工业向机器大工业转变，1721年出现了工厂，1776年瓦特发明蒸汽机，1830年出现了火车，1850年才建立了全国铁路网。显然，铁路是工业化的结果，不是工业化的动力。在铁路出现之前的一百多年时间里，工业化之所以加速发展，与1759年开凿布里奇沃特运河有关系。

        之所以开凿运河，与曼彻斯特和伯明翰发现煤矿和铁矿有关系，运河运力要大大高于马车。这一运河的成功刺激了英国商人集资开凿运河体系。詹姆斯·布林德利规划了大交叉运河（The Grand Cross），将西部港口利物浦-默西河和东部港口伦敦泰晤士河、东北港口赫尔的亨伯河和西南港口布里斯托塞文河连为一体，伯明翰就处于大交叉运河的交叉点上，伯明翰获得了工业化的巨大机遇。在这样一个历史交叉点上，等待着伯明翰的就是能否抓住机遇了。

        从这个意义上来说，伯明翰是大交叉运河拉来的工业城市，大交叉运河是英国工业化的母亲河。后来，在这一基础上，大交叉运河发展成为大串联运河（The Grand Junction），英国的生态体系彻底改变了，工业化的历史舞台已经搭建，日不落帝国的发动机已经开启，英国率先步入了世界历史的新时代。

左上图：这是伯明翰运河区的一段宁静水域，有三只加拿大鹅（Branta canadensis）在悠闲地游动。建筑右下角的标牌显示“The Malt House”（麦芽屋），是运河区的一家历史悠久的餐馆或酒吧，展示了自然与人造建筑的完美结合。右上图：这是伯明翰市中心运河区的一个景象。照片左侧是历史悠久的红砖工业或仓库建筑，现在可能被改造成现代用途。右侧是现代的玻璃建筑，与历史建筑形成了鲜明的对比。下图一（自左至右）：这是伯明翰运河区的一个运河隧道内的视角向外看，可以看到红砖建筑和运河岸边的小路，运河上方的桥梁和远处的现代建筑，展示了伯明翰运河区新旧建筑融合的特点。下图二：这是位于英国伯明翰市中心的“Mailbox”（邮箱）建筑的一部分，这个标志性建筑集购物、餐饮、酒店和办公等功能于一体。照片中可以看到一些餐厅或酒吧的标志，如“BOX”和“Pitcher & Piano”，这些都是位于 Mailbox 内的餐饮场所。Mailbox 的建筑风格结合了现代和传统元素，有点像上海的城隍庙附近的商业区，也许现代大型购物娱乐等综合体由此获得了灵感。下图三：这是英国伯明翰一家传统酒吧的外观，门旁的标牌上写的服务项目包括传统手工拉制啤酒和苹果酒、加热的吸烟区、开放火炉、酒吧小吃、残疾人设施，体现了英国酒吧的传统装饰风格和典型氛围。下图一：这是位于伯明翰维多利亚广场（Victoria Square）的一座雕像，雕像基座上刻字说明这是爱德华七世（Edward VII），他在1901-1910年期间担任英国国王。作为维多利亚女王的长子， 他在统治英国期间，通过推动社会改革和现代外交政策，显著提升了英国在国际舞台上的地位和社会进步，该雕像是为了纪念他对英国的贡献而建造的。广场上除了爱德华七世的雕像外，还有许多其他具有历史意义的纪念碑和艺术品。维多利亚广场也是市政厅（Birmingham Town Hall）和伯明翰博物馆与美术馆（Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery）等重要建筑的所在地。

        如果说詹姆斯·布林德利规划的大交叉运河（The Grand Cross）开启了英国率先步入世界历史新时代的发动机，那么詹姆斯·瓦特发现的蒸汽的工业价值，进而发明了转化这种价值的机器，使人类的生产生活的样态发生了翻天覆地的变化。此后，一群又一群的后来者，把这场史无前例的发现和发明大潮推向一个个新高度！

这两张照片拍自伯明翰的Thinktank伯明翰科学博物馆（Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum），该博物馆位于伯明翰千禧点（Millennium Point），是一个互动式科学博物馆，展示了从工业革命时期的蒸汽机车到现代科技的各种展品。左图：这是一台古老的蒸汽机车，展示了工业革命时期机械制造的复杂性和美学。其外观包括大型的驱动轮、复杂的管道系统和各种阀门和仪表。其工作原理是通过燃烧煤炭或木材来加热水，产生蒸汽，蒸汽的压力驱动活塞运动，进而带动轮子旋转，展示了蒸汽动力时代的工程技术成就及科技进步。蒸汽机车曾在19世纪和20世纪初期广泛用于工业和运输领域，推动了工业革命的进程。右图：这是在19世纪末期非常流行的高轮自行车（Penny-farthing），也被称为“前高后低自行车”。前高后低自行车的设计初衷是为了增加骑行的速度，因为较大的前轮每转一圈可以覆盖更大的距离，但由于其稳定性差和容易导致摔倒受伤，后来被更加安全和实用的现代自行车所取代。

        我们这个世界，是个以能量为基准的时空组合。以人类现有的认知能力和水平，我们仅仅可以感知和利用时空能量的5%左右，而大量的未知世界等着我们去探索！瓦特以及他的后来者所具有的探索精神，在他们有限的资源前提下，已经开拓出如此辉煌的局面。试想未来，我们更是有无数种可能，在有限与无限的博弈中，去寻求生命的价值！我们所能看到的，总是我们所拥有的总和的一小部分。发现，针对存量；发明，针对增量；探索，针对无限量，这也许就是汉语词意的博大精深，准确而含蓄！而在对美好生活的向往上，各个种族、国家、文明，又毫无差别！

        在伯明翰仅仅两天的行程中，另一个让我触动很深的是这里的一群人，一群来自故乡的人，海外华人！他们为生计、为学业……离开故土，扎根在这里，在东西方文明的交集地带寻求发展，所面对的困难和挑战可想而知！但是，他们又是智慧的一群，以他们强大的生命力，找到了合适自己的生存空间，发挥自身的能量优势，利用当地的能量环境，融为一体！无论从达尔文的自然选择出发，还是中华文化讲的树挪死人挪活的古训，迁徙就是开辟新的能量场。

左图：英国大道咨询集团的王澍斌总裁（前排中间）与他的同事在英国最佳中餐馆排名第三的伯明翰粤菜馆（Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant）用粤菜为赵袁二位老师接风。右图：伯大的李永健博士和武孟达博士在伯明翰大学的楼前与赵袁二位老师在有李四光教授的蓝色纪念牌前合影。

图一 (从左到右)：在赵可金教授手指着的李四光教授的纪念牌的上面，自上而下依次是：查尔斯·拉普沃斯（Charles Lapworth, 1882-1923，进行了关于山带形成的开创性工作）、弗雷德里克·肖顿（Frederick Shotton, 1949-1974，推进了对气候变化的理解）和李四光教授（Professor Li Siguang, 1889-1971，地质学家和政治家，为中国地质学和自然资源研究做出了开创性贡献，他于1927年获伯明翰大学博士学位）。图二：Chris和Maggie与赵袁二位老师在伯明翰大学主校园爱德巴斯顿校园（Edgbaston Campus）的一个标志性建筑钟楼前合影。这座钟楼的正式名称是“约瑟夫·张伯伦钟楼”（Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower），又被称为“老乔”（Old Joe）。这一建筑群展示了该大学的历史和新古典时期的建筑风格。图三、四：赵袁二位老师与伯大的李永健博士，武孟达博士，荣德清博士仰望钟塔。

人类文明的传播伴随着人类迁徙的脚步，脚尖向外永远都是成长的正态选择！一个孩子不能闭锁在父母的羽翼下，一个民族不能封闭在自大的氛围中！不同血脉基因的融合，诞生出更强大的智慧，固步自封、自以为是不可取！佛家讲轻视别人是极大的罪恶，也许就是为融合做精神托底！而这种融合，不是独特性的消失，而是在差异性中找共性，是以他人为鉴，给自己准确的定位，给予未知世界必要的尊重！[2] 就像伯明翰四通八达的运河，像中国历代修葺的大运河，其中有固有河道的利用，也有人工接洽的开凿，顺畅的水道便利了东西南北的沟通，互通有无淡化了分歧和差异，而冲突和对立，往往伴随的都是孤立隔绝和阻断！

列车向着曼彻斯特行驶，窗外的景色不断推移，前方等着我们不断去探索……

常向群 编，2024年8月1日

[1] 编者注：本博客图文由常向群编辑并加注，较多的脚注及图说旨在以此博客为例帮助读者了解全球中国学术院。校对和图说由ChatGPT-4o辅助完成：

• 清华大学社会科学院副院长、全球产业研究院院长赵可金教授及夫人袁丽娟女士应全球中国学术院的邀请，于2024年7月27日至8月24日到英国展开调研、访问和学术交流。调研访问的主题是“近代英国现代化及其全球发展经验研究”。他们的游走路线是伦敦-牛津-伯明翰-曼彻斯特-格拉斯哥-伦敦-剑桥等。每到一处都有由学术院安排的志愿人员接待或陪同。
• 感谢英国浙江联谊会（ZJUKA）帮我们提供了牛津、伯明翰和格拉斯哥的接待人员。ZJUKA曾经是第二届全球中国对话“转文化（transculturality）与新型全球治理”（2015）的支持单位。关于”转文化“，我在第一届全球中国对话”中国现代化进程的经验教训与其它发展中国家和地区之比较“文集的“编后语”中曾指出，“此次对话的另一个关键成果是认识到几种对话的异同。跨文化对话（Cross-Cultural Dialogue）指不同文化背景的人之间的交流，旨在理解和尊重彼此的文化差异；际文化对 话 （Intercultural Dialogue）指在不同文化之间的深度交流，以建立沟通桥梁，减少误解和 冲突；转文化对话（Transcultural Dialogue）指超越单一文化界限的交流，融合不同文化元 素，创造新的文化共识。全球中国对话平台将通过转文化对话来应对全球治理的挑战，并探索互惠共生、共存和繁荣的可能性“（第45页， 2016）。
• ZJUKA的创始会长李雪琳·贝茨勋爵夫人（Lady Xuelin Li Bates）编辑的《为和平徒步——中国之旅的转文化体验》一书由我们环球世界出版社出版了英文版和中文版。此书是基于雪琳的丈夫麦克·贝茨勋爵（Michael Bates）在2015年中国抗日战争胜利70周年之际的北京—杭州徒步日志博文。此书被列为“三只眼转文化系列丛书”，要求作者在写作时带有华人、文化华人或在海外有一定生活体验的华人和职业人三重视野。麦克·贝茨勋爵是“中国女婿”，书中有的内容带有相关视野。此书还呈现出一定的比较视野，麦克时任英国国际发展部国务大臣，在沿着大运河徒步时也对中国、韩国和英国的造船业做了一定的思考。
• 这次赵可金和及袁丽娟的伯明翰之行是由英国大道咨询集团总裁兼伯明翰华埠商会执行会长的王澍斌先生及他的朋友Chris和Maggie接待安排的。全球中国学术院网站发表这篇博文也是表达对他们在赵教授及夫人的伯明翰之行提供帮助的感谢。

[2] 编者注：

• 赵可金和及袁丽娟合写的“伯明翰印象记”，生动地呈现了中国著名社会学家和人类学家费孝通的16字方法论：“各美其美、美人之美、美美与共、天下大同”。例如，英国大道咨询集团的王澍斌总裁在英国最佳中餐馆排名第三的伯明翰粤菜馆（Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant）用粤菜为赵教授和袁女士接风（在英国欣赏中国美食）；大量的运河、建筑、生活、科学家纪念牌、博物馆等照片呈现的是“美人之美”；从传统到现代、自然、人文与工业以及不同饮食文化的并存，展现出“美美与共”的态势；作者在文章最后的体会中提到“这种融合，不是独特性的消失，在差异性中找共性，是以他人为鉴，给自己准确的定位，给予未知世界必要的尊重”，这个观点与注释1中几次提及的全球中国学术院推动的转文化观念非常接近，在某种意义上超越了“天下大同”的境界，与费先生晚年倡导的“和而不同”理念有异曲同工之妙。
• 环球世界出版社出版系列丛书，目前研发了八个主题，如：中华概念、中华话语、读懂中国与世界、中国与中华比较视野、中国社会科学全球化、“三眼”转文化、中国城镇化研究和新锐与前沿。每套丛书包括学术著作、政策性研究、考察报告、人文社科普及性读物等不同形式的著述。《为和平徒步》一书有考察报考的性质，包括了300多幅彩照，有社会学专业训练的作者提供的大量的图片说明，体现了视觉社会学和视觉人类学的方法。“伯明翰印象记”一文也具有一定的全球和比较视野及许多照片。环球世界出版社期待在“三只眼转文化系列丛书”中增加一本新书《近代英国现代化及其全球发展经验考察录》（讨论书名），此文可作为其中的一篇。

On April 17, Professor Xiangqun Chang visited GCA Fellows at the University Club at Oxford. The fellows are Professor David Parkin, Professor Robin Cohen, and Professor Maria Jaschok. In the morning, they conducted a broad range of discussions. During lunchtime, in addition to discussing work, Professor David Parkin suggested that we should also add a little living to our life. In the afternoon, Xiangqun and Maria discussed detailed work on the GCA Board of Trustees. It was a very productive day.

From left to right: Robin Cohen, David Parkin, Xiangqun Chang, and Maria Jaschok. The discussion meeting was similar to a brainstorming session. Based on incomplete audio records, the following topics were covered:

1. Transculturality:

• Definition and examples of transcultural practices.
• The concept of transculturality as a tool for understanding global dynamics beyond globalization.
• Comparison between Chinese and Western approaches to transculturality.

2. Reciprocity and Social Exchange:

• Different types of reciprocity: generalized, balanced, and negative exchange.
• The role of reciprocity in social relationships and its implications in different cultural contexts.

3. Academic Contributions and Challenges:

• The need for a Chinese school of sociology and its contributions to global social science.
• The challenges faced by Chinese academics in the global academic landscape.
• Strategies for integrating Chinese perspectives into global academic discussions.

4. Social Practices and Their Cultural Significance:

• The influence of Chinese cultural practices on social relationships and community building.
• Examples of social practices in Chinese villages and their implications for social structure.

5. Historical and Comparative Studies:

• Comparative studies on modernization in different countries.
  Historical encounters between Europe and China and their impact on cultural exchange.
• The role of Chinese academics in documenting and analyzing these historical interactions.

6. Globalization and Modernization:

• The evolution of globalization and its various forms.
  The concept of modernization in China and its comparison with Western perspectives.
• The impact of globalization on local cultures and practices.

7. Role of Chinese Women and Feminism:

• The development of Chinese feminism and its integration into global feminist discourse.
• Historical perspectives on Chinese women’s roles and contributions.

8. Networking and Collaboration:

• The importance of collaborating with similar institutions to sustain the mission of the Global China Academy.
• Potential partnerships with organizations like the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

9. Impact and Sustainability of the Global China Academy:

• Strategies for ensuring the sustainability of the academy.
  The role of publications and academic dialogues in promoting the academy’s mission.
• The importance of engaging younger generations in the academy’s work.

10. Fieldwork and Ethnographic Studies:

• Personal anecdotes and experiences from fieldwork in China.
• The significance of understanding local contexts and social dynamics through ethnographic research.

11. Political and Cultural Mapping:

• The role of maps in representing cultural and political relationships.
• The influence of mapping practices on understanding global connections and power dynamics.

12. Challenges of Publishing Uncensored Chinese Work:

• The difficulties in publishing authentic, uncensored academic work on China.
• The role of the Global China Academy in providing a platform for such publications.

13. Global Governance for AI:

• This is the theme of the 9th Global China Dialogue, which will take place at Tongji University in China. It is the first time the event will be held in China, and it will alternate between the UK and China in the future.
• The preparations are ongoing.

On April 27, the GCA team met for a one-day occasion. In the morning, some of us played golf at Hill Hill Golf Club. During the lunch meeting, it was agreed that Mr. Kai Liang would join us as Event Officer of GCA and Ms YU Li as Project Manager. In the afternoon, the team went to Brocket Hall for a walk and had dinner at the Real China Restaurant at the Galleria Outlet Shopping Centre in Hatfield. Thus, the sixth ‘walk and talk’ route was developed. 

Participants in the day’s activities in the top photo from left to right: Kai Liang (Event Officer), Katie Zheng (Administrative Manager), Alan Fang (Legal Adviser), Yu Li (Project Manager), David Liu (Logistics Manager), and Xiangqun Chang (President).

We typically update the News and Blog section on a monthly basis. Due to the differing nature of activities and events, this page has categorized them into two types based on the missions of the Global China Academy. Within each category, the items are listed in reverse chronological order. However, our own events will always be placed at the top.

Academic mission 

Following the 1st China-Focus Research Forum held on May 11th, 2023 (click here to find related news and photos), at SOAS, University of London, organized jointly by the student societies with support from the language teaching staff of SOAS, LSE, and King’s College London, the 2nd China-Focus Research Forum was held at the Global China Academy Centre both offline and online on June 8th, 2024. 

Programme

Date and Time: 8th June 2024, 1-5 pm BST
Location: Global China Academy
Chair: Zhonghan Lin, PhD candidate in the School of Education, Communication & Society at King’s College London

1:00 – 1:10 pm Opening speech & warming up

1:10 – 1:35 pm
‘The Future of China’s Global Influence: A Theoretical Analysis of Peaceful and Conflictual Trajectories’
by Subham Kumar Kanu, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

1:35 – 2:00 pm
‘The Baby-Eating Barbarians: Imagining and Constructing Chinese Images of Europeans in Late Ming and Early Qing Period’
by CHAN Pui To, Jack, The University of Hong Kong

2:00 – 2:25 pm
‘Cultural Conflict, Agency, and Muslim Hui Women’s Trajectories in Chinese State-Run Education’
by Gao Beibei, King’s College London

2:25 – 2:35 pm Special addresses:

• Professor Xiangqun Chang, President of the Global China Academy (GCA)
• Associate Professor XU Haiyan, Nanchang University; Editor of Journal of Chinese for Social Sciences (JCSS)

2:35 – 3:00 pm Break

3:00 – 3:25 pm
‘Geopolitics of Technology and China’s Ascendancy in Militarizing AI and its Implication in the Indo-Pacific: A Comparative Study of India-China in the Field of Militarization of AI’
by Agniva Ray, Jadavpur University, India

3:30 – 3:55 pm
‘Navigating the Waves: China’s Lawfare in Maritime Domain’
by Vibha Ghaty Sreesh, Rashtriya Raksha University, India

3:55 – 4:20 pm Break

4:20 – 4:45 pm
‘China’s Approach to Dispute Resolution: Are the International Commercial Courts of China (CICC) Part of China’s ‘Grand Strategy’ to Challenge the Current Structure of International Arbitration Regulations and Institutions?’
by Maria Anna Sampson, King’s College London

4:45 – 5:00 pm Closing remarks
by Dr. Hongfen Zhou, Team Leader for East Asian and South Asian Languages at the Language Centre, King’s College London

Related photos

The offline venue was at the Global China Academy Centre. From left to right: Dr. Lianyi Song (SOAS), Dr. Jing Chu (KCL), Dr. Hongfeng Zhou (KCL), Zhonghan Lin (Chair, KCL), Associate Professor Xu Haiyan (Nanchang University, China), Dr. Lijing Shi (LSE), and Professor Xiangqun Chang.

Some presenters. From left to right:  Subham Kumar Kanu, CHAN Jack Pui To, Gao Beibei, Agniva Ray, Vibha Ghaty Sreesh, Maria Anna Sampson, Chunjin Li.  

Selected presentations. The significant features of this Forum are the global participation including three from India and broader themes compared to the 1st Forum, where the participants were primarily based in London and from SOAS.

Tea break: Participants enjoyed Zongzi dumplings as June 10th, 2024, closed to the Dragon Boat Festival.

The participants were primarily the Editorial Board members of JCSS. They discussed issues related to the journal.  

After the forum, participants visited Brocket Hall and enjoyed a walk and dinner there.   

Social mission

21st June, Professor Chang Xiangqun, President of the Global China Academy, and Ms YU Li, Project Manager, were invited to attend the 6th Anniversary Champagne Reception and the 20th Anniversary Charity Antique Auction of Mother’s Bridge of Love (MBL) hosted by the Chinese Collectors Club (UK). The event took place at the Whisky Club, 1A Bond Street. After a splendid pipa solo performance by the renowned artist CHENG Yu, the charity auction was hosted by Mr. Zhang Pu, Chairman of the Chinese Collectors Club (UK). All proceeds, amounting to £13,000, were donated to Mother’s Bridge of Love to express gratefulness to the MBL for funding the establishment of 28 children’s libraries in rural and urban areas of China and providing cultural consultations and support for families in 27 countries that have adopted Chinese orphans, helping Chinese orphans.

Auction Catalog.

Top left: Xiangqun Chang and Yu Li with Xinran (middle), the founder of MBL. She was one of the panelists at the 1st Global China Dialogue in 2014. Top right: Xiangqun Chang with Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans (1991), Mao: The Unknown Story (2005), and Empress Dowager Cixi (2013). Bottom left: Pu Zhang hosted the auction. Bottom right: Xiangqun Chang met Fellows of The Sociological Review, Dr. William Zhengdong Hu and his wife, who were volunteers there.

On 9th June, with the help of Mr. Kai Liang, Ambassador of Hampton Court Golf Club and Event Officer of GCA, we organized 9 pairs teams to participate in the Mill Hill Mixed Open. Some of them won 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th places, as well as the longest drive. After dinner and prize giving, a Champagne Reception was held at the GCA Centre. The successful event served multiple purposes: mixing Chinese and non-Chinese players, celebrating Tao Liu’s Albatross (three strokes under par on a single hole), and the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.  

Mill Hill Mixed Open and its dinner and prize giving.   

Left: Kai Liang hosted the Champagne Reception and Tao Liu opened a bottle of Champagne. Right: different varieties of Zongzi dumplings.

Everyone enjoyed the drinks, soft fruit and snacks.

Cheers to Tao Liu and to our gathering!

The event lasted until midnight. It was a wonderful celebration of camaraderie and cultural exchange. We look forward to more successful events in the future, bringing together diverse communities in celebration and fellowship.