Chinese for Social Science Workshop:Post Global China Dialogue Event 2017
Along with China’s increasing influence on the world, it is important to understand how the Chinese government’s policies are reshaping and governing the global community, in addition to understanding Chinese social culture. In this regard, Chinese for Social Science might provide an useful aid for help. ‘Chinese for social sciences’ is in fact ‘Chinese language for Social Sciences’, a branch of ‘Chinese for Specific Purposes’ (CSP), like ‘Chinese for science and technology’ or ‘business Chinese’. In responding to demands from users of our bilingual websites Global China Academy is developing a supplementary course material based on our articles from the Journal of China in Comparative Perspective, material of Global China Dialogue and publications by Global Century Press in both English and Chinese. It aims at serving the purposes of providing better understanding on basic knowledge on China and improving students’ and scholars’ language skills in English or Chinese on social science issues.
Our current work is focused on the following areas:
I. Reading: Intermediate and advanced levels of reading material are derived from articles which will be published in Journal of China in Comparative Perspective.
Chinese for social science – Advanced level reading
Chinese for social science – Advanced level reading
II. English and Chinese bidirectional translation: the English and Chinese bidirectional translation work is for maintain and update our bilingual websites and blogs.
III. Chinese multimedia resources: we will add useful tools from time to time to this section.
IV. Creative English translations of Chinese vocabularies
We are committed to publish the best results of empirical studies of problem-oriented research, theoretical and methodological studies bilingually, in order to engage in-depth communication between Chinese and non-Chinese scholars. Global Century Press (GCP) is the first publisher focusing on bilingual publications of China, the Chinese and non-Chinese perspectives of China in a global context. It publishes the book series Globalization of Chinese Social Science. We are anticipated to introduce Chinese social scientists’ work globally in the framework of the globalization of knowledge, and through consultancy and public engagement to participate in shaping the global society. Global China Dialogue Series (GCDS) annual forum sometimes organices the Post-Dialogue workshop – Chinese for social science, in conjunction with it.
Organizers:
- Global China Academy, UK
- The Lau China Institute, King’s College London, UK
- The China Media Centre, University of Westminster, UK
- Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY), China.
Date: Saturday 2 December
Venue: S0.13, Strand Campus, King’s College London, Ground floor, next the entrance of Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS
9:30:00-10:00 Registration
10:00-11:15
Chair: Dr Dongning Feng, Senior Lecturer, Former Director of Centre for Translation Studies, SOAS, University of London, UK
- Introduction to Chinese for social science (CSS), Professor Xiangqun Chang, President of Global China Academy, UK; Honorary Professor of UCL, UK
- Chinese for social science – Intermediate level reading, Ms Lik Suen, SOAS China Institute, University of London, UK
- Chinese for social science issues: Categories, Forms of presentation, Resources and suggestions, Dr Lianyi Song, Principal Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Languages and Cultures, SOAS, University of London, UK
Discussion, Q&A
11:15-11:40 Coffee/tea break
11:40-12:40
- Difficulties in English and Chinese bidirectional translations: based on the 4th Global China Dialogue brochure, Costanza Pernigotti, Assistant Translator and Editor Global China Institute
- Reconstructing the socio-political: translating political discourse , Dr Dongning Feng, Senior Lecturer, Former Director of Centre for Translation Studies, SOAS, University of London, UK
Discussion, Q&A
12:40-12:50 Closing remarks
12:50-14:30 Lunch and network
Contact:
Ms XIONG Yi info@gci-uk.org
This is a free event, click HERE to register
Also see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinese-for-social-science-post-dialogue-workshop–tickets-39809522353
Related info
- The 4th Global China Dialogue webpage: https://globalchinaacademy.org/global-china-dialogue-4/
- Journal of Chinese for Social Science website:https://globalcenturypress.com/journal-chinese-for-social-science
- Journal of Chinese for Social Science website in Chinese:
- https://globalcenturypress.com/journal-chinese-for-social-science-cn
Photos:
Workshop
Speakers (From left to right in order of appearance)
Q & A and discussion
Network
Conference organizers, speakers and some participants
Chinese New Year Greeting Newsletter / GCI Annual Report (2016–2017)
Dear CCPN Global and Global China Institute members and friends,
As the Year of the Rooster 2017 spreads its wings, we send you our best wishes for the vear and take the opportunity to giveyou an update on our situation and activities, with links to our websites. We hope that you will continue to lend us youivalued interest. participation in our activities and support.
This Chinese New Year Greeting Newsletter outlines our aims, structure, personnel, and achievements. The Global China Institute focuses on promoting China’s study in a comparative perspective, bridging China and the world, and contributing to global society. The document details our organizational structure, internet-based operations, various projects and publications, and plans for future development. Significant emphasis is placed on their global network, academic work, and role as a knowledge-based think tank, with ongoing projects and publications in Chinese and global context.
Click HERE to download the PDF file.
Corpus Approaches to Chinese Social Science (CACSS) Workshop, 2016
With the enhancement of interdisciplinary awareness, linguistic methods, such as corpus based discourse studies, have been applied to sociology, ethnography, cultural studies, psychology, cognitive science and computer science, etc. In the past decade Chinese social scientists are seeking for new methods in analyzing large quantity of texts in addition to quantitative and qualitative analysis. For example, the Contemporary China Social Life Data and Research Centre (CCSLC), Fudan University of China has collected unique set of data on contemporary Chinese social life since 1949, consists of more than 300,000 personal correspondences, over 1,000 books of personal notes, diaries, huge information of the history of personal life, as well as large amount of interview notes, and monographs. The Brill Company has signed a contract with Fudan University Publishing House for publication of 30 volumes of them. This precious material is inevitably adopted as a default resource for the research which language matters. it will undoubtedly be very helpful for understanding the construction of contemporary China’s social order and deep structure of ordinary people’s relationships. Inspirited by the ESRC Centre of Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS) at Lancaster University, CCPN Global engages the CASS, Centre for Applied Linguistics (CAL) of UCL, the Contemporary China Social Life Data and Research Centre (CCSLC) of Fudan University and the RCDC (the Research Centre for Discourse and Communication, Zhejiang University of Media and Communication), together developing the programme of the CACSS. This workshop will introduce related work and engage further discussions with people who are interested in this initiative.
Date: Saturday, 9:00-16:30 3rd December 2016
Venue: S-2.23, the Strand Building, King’s College London.
Theme: Corpus Approach to Chinese Social Science (CACSS) workshop
Organizers:
- CCPN Global (China in Comparative Perspective Network Global, Charity No.: 1154640; an affiliate member of the Academy of Social Sciences)
- Lau China Institute, Kings College London.
Co-organizers:
- ESRC Centre of Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS) at Lancaster University, UK
- Contemporary China Social Life Data and Research Center (CCSLC) of Fudan University, China
- Research Centre for Discourse and Communication (RCDC), Zhejiang University of Media and Communication, China
Chairs:
- Professor Kerry Brown, Director of Lau China Institute, King’s College London
- Professor Yufang Qian, Director of Research Centre for Discourse and Communications, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, China
Keynote speakers:
- Professor Tony McEnery, Director of ESRC Centre for CASS, Lancaster University; ESRC Research Director, UK
- Professor Yueguo Gu, Director, China Multilingual & Multimodal Corpora & Big Data Research Centre, CASS and BFSU, China
Other speakers (in alphabetical order):
- Dr Qing Cao, Senior Lecturer in Chinese, Director of Studies in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University, UK
- Professor Xiangqun Chang, Director of CCPN Global; Honorary Professor of UCL, UK
- Professor Jiaojiang Luo, Dean of Institute of Social Development, Wuhan University, China; General Secretory of CCPN Global
- Professor Yufang Qian, Director of Research Centre for Discourse and Communications, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, China
- Dr. Mike Scott, Aston University; Founder of the Lexical Analysis Software, UK
- Professor Letian Zhang, Director of the Centre for CCSLC and Centre for Social and Cultural Anthropology, Fudan University, China; and Co-Director of the CCPN Global
Notes:
- This workshop is an extension of the Panel 4 Corpus-based discourse studies on climate change, and in conjunction with the 3rd Global China Dialogue: Sustainability and Global Governance for Climate Change (GCD III)
- It is also an open academic event, for both participants of the GCD III and others who are interested in this topic.
- This is a free event, but registration is requested. Click HERE for registration
- The presentations and discussions will be published as proceedings in Corpus Approaches to Chinese Social Sciences series
Website: see updated info at http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/post-dialogue-workshop-chinese-social-science-gcd-highlight
Related info
1. Global China Dialogue Website (English-Chinese) http://www.dialogue.global-china.org
2. Global China Dialogue III Webpage
- English-Chinese http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/3rd-global-china-dialogue-sustainability-global-governance-climate-change
- English http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/3rd-global-china-dialogue-sustainability-global-governance-climate-change-en
- Chinese http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/3rd-global-china-dialogue-sustainability-global-governance-climate-change-cn
3. Post-Global China Dialogue IV event Webpage
- English-Chinese http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/post-gcd3-workshop-corpus-approaches-chinese-social-science
- English http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/post-gcd3-workshop-corpus-approaches-chinese-social-science-en
- Chinese http://www.dialogue.global-china.org/post-gcd3-workshop-corpus-approaches-chinese-social-science-cn
Contact: events@ccpn-global.org
Click HERE to the Chinese page
A Symposium on China-British Cultural Exchange: Strategic Cooperation and Practical Implementation
As 2015 is the year of China-UK cultural exchange, many cultural activities are being planned and implemented. The symposium on ‘China-UK Cultural Exchange: Strategic Cooperation and Practical Implementation’ held in Shanghai on December 7, 2014, is one such event. It also served as the preparatory meeting for the establishment of the ‘Global China Dialogue’ series of forums. This event invited people from various fields to discuss relevant topics.
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2014
Time: 2:30–5:30 pm
Address: Conference Room of the Grand Skylight Hotel, 100 Baise Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Organizers
- CCPN Global (UK)
- The Young Entrepreneur Society (YES Global)
Co-organizers
- Research Center for Socio-cultural Anthropology, Fudan University
- Research Center for Discourse and Communications, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications
Hosting organizer: Shanghai Juechen Cultural Communications Co., Ltd. (SENSO: plans and organizes Chinese-foreign cultural exchange activities, provides services for cultural promotion and cultural exchange outreach)
Sponsor: Shanghai Quan Feng Investment Co., Ltd.
Organizer: Ms ZHAO Meng (SENSO)
Chair: Professor ZHANG Letian (Fudan University)
Speaker: Professor Xiangqun Chang (CCPN Global; SOAS)
Topics
- Can China’s model of “Culture builds the stage; commerce performs the show” be successfully promoted abroad?
- What is the relationship between “culture building the stage” and “commerce performing the show”?
- Why do some perspectives view “Culture builds the stage; commerce performs in the show” not as true cultural exchange but as a display of economics hijacking culture?
- What is the significance of the experience and lessons of China’s recent modernization for the modernization processes of countries all over the world?
- How does the Chinese experience aid in the study of Europe?
- How should strategic cooperation for China-British cultural exchange be planned?
- Examples of practical implementation of China-British cultural exchange
Schedule
14:30—14:45 Registration, networking
14:45—14:50 Chair delivers address and introduces special guests
14:50—15:10 Speaker gives introduction to China-British cultural exchange and Chinese academic globalization
15:10—17:00 Conference participants have 3 minutes each to share their perspectives on different topics
17:00—17:20 Q & A
17:20—17:30 Wrap-up
Professor ZHANG Letian (above left) chaired the preparatory meeting in Shanghai. He is Former Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Development and Public Policy and Director of the Center for Social and Cultural Anthropology at Fudan University. He is also Co-Director of CCPN Global. Professor Zhang began by introducing his own three broad areas of work: research on the people’s commune system, introduction of social work courses and establishment of a social life data and research center. He thinks that these can all be useful for comparative research. Afterwards,
Professor Xiangqun Chang (above right), CCPN Director and Research Associate of the SOAS China Institute (SCI) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK, spoke on the main theme of the meeting. She explained the difference between Chinese comparative studies and China studies, why it is necessary to place China studies within a global framework, and how to incorporate research on Chinese society into universal knowledge about humankind. She discussed how scholarly work can be accompanied by a transformation of interdisciplinary knowledge into knowledge that crosses professional and field-related boundaries, to not only serve the academic community, but also participate in shaping a global society.
Over 20 academics, experts, professionals and practitioners from Shanghai and Hangzhou participated in this meeting. Speaker-participants were divided into the following 3 groups.
Mr SHI Qiangsheng (first from left), senior economist, Deputy Director of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD), Association of Shanghai Population Resources and Environment Committee, also the Shanghai preparatory meeting’s main facilitator, summarized in his speech the five major characteristics of China-British cultural exchange and their significance. He emphasized the utility of Chinese comparative studies as a tool to give prominence to Chinese elements in the dissemination of scholarly knowledge outside of the academy.
Dr QIAN Zhenhua (second from left) is Board Chairman of Shanghai Quan Feng Investment Co., Ltd., main sponsor of the Shanghai preparatory meeting. He spoke about how his experience in business culture allowed him to witness the selfishness and disregard for rules and regulations that people display while conducting business or other activities. He initially viewed these methods as a legacy of the Cultural Revolution, but later discovered that they were present during the Republican Era, the Qing Dynasty, and the Warring States Period. This leads to a big question for reflection on Chinese culture and civilization: precisely what are its ‘cultural genes’? Although he diligently attended the lectures of many preeminent scholars while studying at Peking University, he never came across a satisfactory answer to this question.
Mr DING Zhengwei (second from right) is an art critic who believes that the process of cultural exchange is not a struggle for the right to speak, nor is it about influencing or changing others. Rather, it is a gentle and gradual process of osmosis. By asking the way and seeking the rites of the wild, one reaches a state of goodness as pure as water, the realm of unity between man and nature.
Mr CAO Yuanyong (first from right), Deputy Chief Editor, Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House, raised the point that stories must be used to explain concepts, just as Mo Yan’s works typically narrate stories from people at the low levels of society to show how they reflect on problems. There is also the question of how to speak of culture in terms of civilization. While engaging in exchange with other civilizations, we must find adequate ways to speak about such concepts as the holistic notion of a unified ‘tianxia’ (heaven and world) or the Confucian ‘golden mean’.
Professor GUO Yi (first from left), Director of the Organization and Strategy Research Center at the School of Business of East China University of Science and Technology and Vice-President of the Professional Committee China Social Network Association, also raised a question about the exportation of Chinese concepts. If in the process of teaching and supervising research we come across notions like yin-yang or guanxi, how can we build an integrated approach to research from the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, to analyze Chinese concepts?
Professor QIAN Yufang (second from left), Director of the Research Center for Discourse and Communications at Zhejiang University of Media and Communications and Executive Manager of the Chinese Discourse Analysis Research Association, is an expert on corpus. She proposed construction of a social science data bank and critical analysis of discourse as means to aid in the export of Chinese corpus and the construction of Chinese discourse.
Professor WANG Gancheng (second from right) is Director of the Laozi Academy at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He studied Western philosophy for seven years at university, then shifted to research Chinese traditional culture, from there excavating the thought of Laozi. He believes the essence of Laozi lies in these few phrases: “It (the Dao) produces (all things) and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them.” This, he believes, has a one-to-one correspondence with Abraham Lincoln’s “of the people, for the people, by the people.” He later founded the Laozi Academy to provide entrepreneurs with training in traditional culture.
Ms Xiaojing Sun (first from right) is President of the Russel & Ivy Development Association, CEO of Russel & Ivy Corporate Brand Management Co., Ltd. She explained how during her time studying at Bristol University in England she participated in the work of CCPN Global. When she returned to China to set up her association and business, she also actively involved herself in public charity work, developing programs to assist impoverished children attend school.
Professor LU Feiyun (first from left) is Deputy Director of the College of Humanities Department of Economic Sociology, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. She participated in the Project on Social Support funded by the British Economic and Social Research Council in the 1990s when Xiangqun Chang also worked there. She believes that in order to explain China to the world, one must conduct a decomposition of culture, dividing it into the culture of daily life, the cultural consciousness described by Fei Xiaotong, creative cultural industry, the spoken language of Chinese culture, and so on. Fei Xiaotong’s concept of “appreciating the cultural values of others to make the world become a harmonious whole” is helpful for thinking about cultural exchange.
Professor ZHU Lianqing (second from left), Director and Research Fellow of the Business Research Center of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), recently returned from the UK. He explained that when we look toward the outside, we must look at things in depth, such as how the British engage in business operations with a calm demeanor and rational conduct. In the end, everyone has a role to play, and the society is stable there. We must inquire into these background forces here: the spirit and genes of people.
Professor YIN Xiaorong (center), Deputy Director of the Information and Communication Research Center of the School of Journalism at Fudan University, who translated the history of dissemination studies and examines dissemination issues from the perspective of global social change. It will be very difficult for Chinese news media to ‘go abroad’, despite the state’s investment. There is also the Internet, new media, ‘citizen journalism’, etc. It is very important to research how to use different media outlets, such as ethnic minority media outlets.
Mr WANG Yelong (second from right), Associate Professor of Editorship of Peking University Press and General Manager of Shanghai Shengda Yanyuan Cultural Promotion Company, noted that cultural exchange is a bi-directional process; however, our situation in reality is one of inequality. Many students go abroad to study; we introduce many copyrights from outside but export few. 2015 is the 100th anniversary of the New Culture Movement. He is currently putting together a book on China-British cultural exchange, and hopes it will be able to travel abroad.
Dr LI Zhangang (first from right), Associate Research Fellow of the Center for Studies of Sociological Theory and Method at Renmin University of China and Vice Secretary-General of the Zheng Hangsheng Social Development Foundation, spoke on two topics. First, he explained how the Zheng Hangsheng Social Development Foundation provides young scholars with support and construction of a ‘base of compassion’. Second, he introduced Professor Zheng Hangsheng’s method and theory for researching Chinese experience, which, just as one must consider the two dimensions of time and locality in a long wave process, emphasizes the sequence of ideas from tradition to modernity to fully understand globalization.
Before the meeting, the leaflets of CCPN Global and Global Century Press were given to the participants. This gentleman (second from left in the photo on the upper left) was reading the material. He works at a company for marketing planning. He represents Professor ZHAO Ronghui, Dr YU Hua, and Dr SHEN Qi of the Language Research Institute at Shanghai University for International Studies. Due to time conflicts, they were unable to attend the meeting. In the upper right photo are CCPN Global’s two directors (front row from left to right) and Dr Jane Zhang (middle of back row). She is CCPN Global’s chief representative in China, CEO and Senior Consultant of IBC-Joint Group (Research-Consulting-Exchange). After the meeting, participants engaged in lively conversation. The bottom photo shows Xiangqun Chang with Ms ZHAO Meng (left) of SENSO Corporation Limited, the organizer of the Shanghai preparatory meeting.
Above are the Shanghai preparatory meeting’s main organizers and coordinators.
The Chinese page was compiled and edited by Julia Yu based on photos and recordings provided by Juechen Culture Communications Co., Ltd.
English page is translated by Cheryl M Schmitz
Click here for Chinese page.
Director of CCPN Global received Mulan Award, 2014
Professor Xiangqun Chang, Director of CCPN Global, received a Mulan Award for her Contribution to Education by the Mulan Foundation Network on the 29th October 2014. The first annual Mulan Awards Dinner was held at the Drapers Hall to honour and recognise the achievement Chinese women. According to Mulan Foundation, it ‘aims to recognise and honour the achievements of Chinese women in the UK and elsewhere through Annual Awards and in the process build up a global network of top and successful Chinese women and young Chinese women on the way up, for networking, mentoring and to support and help each other as well as contribute to the wider community’.
I. Mulan Award Ceremony
Welcome and reception:
The guests were welcomed by Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Chairman of Mulan Foundation Network; Dr Mee Ling Ng, OBE, the chair of the Awards’ judging panel; and Lady Katy Tse Blair MBE (from left to right at the top right picture). At the bottom left picture Mr Neil Clarke, CCPN Global volunteer, with Ms Xinran Xue, author of 7 books published in over 37 languages. She also worked at BBC World Service as a journalist, translated several important literary works into Chinese (including Pinter’s entire theatrical bibliography) and founded a charity – The Mothers’ Bridge of Love. At the bottom right shows Dr Thomas Clarke, Senior Teaching Fellow of Imperial College London, Trustee of CCPN Global, with Polly Yu, a Solicitor from Bloomsbury Law.
Dinner banquet:
Nearly 200 guests attended the Mulan Awards Dinner 2014 for honouring the achievements of Chinese women at the Drapers Hall. Attendees also included Ms Qingling Guo, an International Trade Adviser UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the bottom left picture); and Ms Elaine Pooke (bottom right), English Heritage’s Production Manager, who has over 25 years’ experience in the Printing and Publishing Industry, and helped in the design of CCPN Global’s new leaflet. She is also Managing Ambassador for the Mayor of London.
Awards presentation:
Dr Mee Ling OBE, Chair of judges of panel of the Mulan Awards announced that Dr Xiangqun Chang, Director of CCPN Global is the Winner for her contribution to education (top left), Professor Danny Quah of the London School of Economics and Political Science, presented the award to Professor Chang (top right and bottom left). Coincidentally, Professor Quah was Chairman of the Management Committee of CCPN (China in Comparative Perspective Network) at LSE before CCPN Global was registered as an academic charity in 2013. The picture at bottom right is Xiangqun with Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Chairman of Mulan Foundation Network.
Family, friends, and colleagues:
Dr Xiangqun Chang with Mr William Franklin, Business Development Consultant, Sophis Approach Limited and Ms Ingrid Cranfield, formerly Councillor for Lower Edmonton ward, and Deputy Mayor of Enfield Council (Top left picture); Xiangqun with her supportive family on top right picture; from bottom right: Dr Chang and family with Prof. Quah and his wife.
II. A list of winners:
1. Young Achiever of the Year
Winner: Ms Yaoqian Shang, Birmingham Royal Ballet. Graduate of The Royal Ballet and winner of the Ninette de Valois award 2013.
2. Contribution to Education
Winner: Professor Xiangqun Chang, Director of CCPN Global, a UK-based academic society focusing on the study of China and the Chinese from a comparative perspective. Research Associate, SOAS, University of London. Holder of several professorial and senior fellowships at Renmin, Peking, Fudan and Sun Yat-Sen Universities in China.
3. Contribution to Arts and Culture
Winner: Ms Betty Yao MBE. Director of Credential International Arts Management, UKIP and Projects Director at Asia House, London.
Winner: Ms Di Xiao. International pianist at Birmingham Conservatoire. Winner of first prize Brant International Piano Competition 2007.
4. Contribution to Science and Technology
Winner: Dr Sharon Heng. Specialty Registrar, Addenbrookes Eye Unit, Cambridge University Hospital. Research into age related macular regeneration (AMD) and founder of CHEF (Chan Heng Eye Foundation), a charity providing rehabilitation support for the visually impaired members of the Chinese community in London.
5. Contribution to Business and Enterprise
Winner: Ms Carol Hui. General Counsel for Heathrow Airport Holdings (formally BAA). Director of Heathrow Airport Limited. Previous roles include GC for Amey and Deputy GC for BG Group. Winner of the European General Counsel of the Year 2008.
Commendation: Ms Teresa Li. Owner of The Jobwall, an online job board for job seekers and employers. Winner of an enterprise award from the Scottish Asian Women’s Association.
6. Contribution to Charitable Causes and Philanthropy
Winner: Ms Viola Wong. Managing Director of Confiserie Benji Limited. Founder and benefactor of Benji’s Centre. The charity provides professional speech therapy to over 680 children with disabilities and from disadvantaged background.
7. Contribution to Public Service and Community
Winner: Ms Catherine Zeng. Head of Financial Services, Trade and Investment, HM Treasury. Previous roles include: Senior Policy Adviser, Financial Regulation and Markets, HM Treasury.
Commendation: Ms Min Rose. Promoting and connecting up UK-China business, enterprise and academic partnerships with the University of Nottingham and the wider Chinese community.
8. Outstanding Contribution at the International level
Winner: Ms Jiang Bing, Deputy Director of GBCC (Great Britain China Centre). Contribution to major UK-China collaborations in the field of the development of China’s legal and judicial system, by working with the Supreme People’s Court, the Chinese Ministry of Justice and legal scholars in academic institutions.
Commendation: Ms Huilin Proctor, Head of China Desk, DLA Piper UK LLP. The development of Chinese Corporate Law and an arts and culture ambassador in facilitating exchange of cultural excellence between UK and China.
Click HERE to its Chinese page 全球中国比较研究会常向群会长荣获2014年“木兰奖”
President of the Chinese Sociological Association, Professor LI Qiang, and His Wife’s Visit to the UK (20-25 July 2014)
On July 20, 2014, Professor LI Qiang (1950-2023), then Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, traveled to the UK for a vacation with his wife, Zhang Hua [Note 1]. As a friend, I had arranged their 10-day itinerary in advance and accompanied them in London. Unfortunately, due to Mrs. Zhang catching a cold and developing a fever, they had to cut their vacation short and rescheduled their return flight on the afternoon of the 24th. This left many regrets but also provided me with unforgettable and wonderful memories. The following is a record of some of their visit.
On July 20th (Sunday), the Li couple arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 15:10 on flight BA38, then proceeded to check in at the Hilton London Hotel (located on Edgware Road but quite far from Edgware Station, which is near my home). A BBC Prom concert was arranged at 19:30 at the Royal Albert Hall, where the World Peace Orchestra, consisting of musicians from around the world, performed classical pieces by composers such as Beethoven and Mozart, as well as some music themed around world peace, expressing the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and nations through various famous pieces. Unfortunately, due to jet lag and fatigue, the Lis were unable to attend, so I and other friends appreciated it on their behalf.
On July 21st (Monday), we took a day trip to Wisley Gardens. On this day, the Li couple joined an activity that I had previously arranged with two friends. Wisley Gardens, part of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), is located 23 miles southwest of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in Surrey. It is one of the gardens owned and managed by the RHS and is considered one of the most influential horticultural gardens in the world. With its diverse plant collections, exquisite garden designs, and deep horticultural traditions, it has become a sanctuary for garden enthusiasts both in the UK and globally.
The first set of photos features some flowers I had never seen before (from left to right): Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus), a member of the thistle family originally from the Mediterranean region. The unopened flower buds are edible, and the open flowers are bright purple, valued for both their ornamental and economic qualities; Vanda, renowned for its large, colorful flowers, with this particular Vanda sporting purple spots, making it highly ornamental; Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), known for its unique shape and vibrant colors, with this plant displaying a combination of red, yellow, and green, making it very eye-catching; Spider Orchid (Brassia), named for its unique flower shape, with long, spidery petals and sepals; Spiral Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), noted for its unique spiral stems and decorative leaves, widely used for ornamental purposes.
The next set of photos (from left to right): We encountered a Chinese pavilion called the ‘Butterfly Lovers Pavilion’ in Wisley Gardens. It was built in 2005 through a collaboration between the Shanghai Botanical Garden in China and the RHS. Initially designed for the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show that year, where it won a silver medal, the pavilion was later donated to Wisley Gardens as a permanent feature. The pavilion’s design was inspired by the classic Chinese love story ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ (Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai). The design and construction were led by Professor LIU Tingfeng from the Landscape Design Department at Tianjin University, China. To commemorate the story, the pavilion’s six pillars are carved with butterfly motifs, symbolizing the transformation of the lovers into butterflies at the end of the legend. The construction materials were sourced from Zhejiang to ensure the pavilion’s authentic Chinese architectural style. The pavilion was built to celebrate Sino-British cooperation in horticulture and to introduce traditional Chinese garden art to Wisley Gardens, offering visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural experiences. The pavilion was designed and built by Chinese horticulturists and craftsmen who ensured that it seamlessly blended into Wisley Gardens’ natural environment.
As we were leaving Wisley Gardens, we took commemorative photos with my friends and Professor Li and his wife respectively.
On July 22nd (Tuesday), we spent a day touring central London.
We had arranged to meet Professor Martin Albrow, former president of the British Sociological Association, for lunch at 12:30, so our schedule was quite tight. Early in the morning, we took the Tube to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Due to time constraints, we didn’t enter but toured the area before boarding a sightseeing boat along the Thames towards Westminster (see following photos).
At Westminster Pier, we walked along Downing Street (with No. 10 being the official residence of the British Prime Minister), passing by Horse Guards Parade, Horse Guards Arch, and other sites, where we witnessed the Changing of the Guard (see following photos).
Afterward, we arrived at Trafalgar Square. Professor Li was particularly interested in the four bronze lion statues at the base of Nelson’s Column, one of Trafalgar Square’s most iconic features. He asked me to take a photo of him and his wife with one of the lions as the background. The contrast between the massive lion and the ‘small’ figures of the Lis in the photo led me to reflect. The lion, a symbol of strength, courage, and dignity in many cultures, perhaps served as a confirmation of self-identity and pride.
We were also intrigued by the blue rooster sculpture on the Fourth Plinth in the square. The Fourth Plinth was originally designed for a statue of King William IV, but due to funding issues, the statue was never completed. In 1999, the Fourth Plinth Project was launched, turning it into a platform for displaying contemporary art, with a new piece being installed every few years. The sculpture, titled ‘Hahn/Cock,’ was created by German artist Katharina Fritsch. Its bold color and form sparked widespread discussion and interest. The blue rooster symbolizes male strength and courage, while also carrying a satirical tone that questions the solemnity of traditional monuments. Fritsch described it as a humorous satire, challenging the gravity of other traditional statues in the square, making it a prime example of contemporary art in public spaces (see following photos).
After leaving the square, Professor Li suggested visiting The British Academy. Founded in 1902, The British Academy is a national academic institution established to promote and support research in the humanities and social sciences. Its primary goal is to promote high standards of academic research, encourage scholarly debate, and support research that enhances understanding of human and social issues. The Academy is not open to the public, and one can only enter by attending an event or participating in a meeting. After taking a photo at the entrance, Professor Li suggested that we should organize events here in the future. [Note 2].
Our lunch with Martin Albrow was held at the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). This is one of Britain’s top private members’ clubs, offering dining, accommodation, fitness facilities, social events, and business meeting spaces. The RAC’s dining services are renowned for their high quality and exquisite cuisine, making it a key part of London’s high-end social life. Martin accompanied Professor Li and his wife on a tour of the club, where we exchanged ideas in the garden. After lunch, Martin presented Professor Li with his award-winning book, The Global Age (see following photos) [Note 3].
After lunch, we strolled through London and visited the London School of Economics, where we met with Dr. LIU Jiayan, a visiting fellow from Tsinghua University’s School of Architecture. She was conducting postdoctoral research under Professor Li’s supervision (see following photos). [Note 4]
We managed to be among the last visitors admitted to the British Museum before closing at 4 p.m. Professor Li asked me to take another photo of them in front of a large Assyrian lion relief. This famous Assyrian stone relief, likely from the ancient city of Nineveh, depicts scenes from the ‘Assyrian Lion Hunt,’ symbolizing the power and majesty of the Assyrian Empire. This photo again illustrates Professor Li’s identification with the symbolic attributes of the lion.
In the China Collection, we saw a large scroll painting (unfortunately, we did not photograph the exhibit label). The painting depicted landscapes, featuring mountains, rivers, and pine trees, intended to convey the artist’s reverence for nature and to express a sense of tranquility and harmony. In passing, I mentioned the idea of expanding the ‘China in Comparative Perspective’ approach at the London School of Economics to include a global perspective. This would not only involve comparing China with other countries and regions on a global scale but also conducting a comprehensive comparative study of China’s social transformations from past to present within a historical context. Methodologically speaking, the essential difference between the social science research conducted by Chinese scholars and that of their Western counterparts can be understood by grasping the essence of a Chinese scroll painting. [Note 5]
On July 23rd (Wednesday), the Li couple took a day trip to Windsor on their own, departing from Waterloo Station. They conducted a detailed tour of Windsor Castle. After their return to London, Mrs. Zhang developed a fever, and they decided to reschedule their flight to return to China early.
On July 24th (Thursday), the original plan was to go on a walk in the woods near my home and have an academic discussion, but due to their flight departing from Heathrow Airport at 16:45, we skipped the walk. Instead, we had a morning tea chat and lunch. The following photos were taken by Professor Li. At that time, taking photos and shared via WeChat was not very common, so we didn’t take a group photo, but there were individual photos of Mrs Zhang with my mother and me.
At around 2 pm., we met with LIU Jiayan and her son at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2. The child happily and proactively pushed the luggage cart, which everyone admired as a good educational approach. Before parting, we took a group photo in front of a colorful painting advertisement. Reflecting later, this photo carried profound and personal significance, symbolizing academic exchange, friendship, educational inheritance, and family bonds. It recorded an important moment in the scholars’ professional and personal lives, demonstrating their commitment to knowledge, nurturing students, and cherishing family.
Notes:
- [1] In July 2014, Li Qiang was elected President of the Chinese Sociological Association. He was the sixth president since the association’s founding in 1979, following Fei Xiaotong, YUAN Fang, LU Xueyi, ZHENG Hangsheng, and LI Peilin. This blog was updated after visits by Tsinghua University’s School of Social Sciences and other universities in Beijing and Shanghai to the UK in July-August 2024.
- [2] Starting in 2015, the second to the eighth Global China Dialogue series were all held at this location until 2023.
- [3] Li Qiang also served as the Honorary Chinese President of the Global China Institute (alongside Martin). After the institute was renamed the Global China Academy and restructured into a worldwide fellowship, Li Qiang served as the Chinese chair of the Academy’s Council, alongside Professor Tony McEnery, former Interim Chief Executive of the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is equivalent to China’s National Philosophy and Social Sciences Foundation.
- [4] Professor Li, together with Mr. LI Tie, former Director of the China Center for Urban Development and Small Towns Reform, co-edited the ‘China Urbanization Studies Series,’ published by Global Century Press, with Dr. Liu serving as the Executive Editor.
- [5] Xiangqun Chang, Guanxi or Li shang wanglai? Reciprocity, Social Support Networks, & Social Creativity in a Chinese Village (Scholarly Publishing Business, Airiti Press Inc. 2010; Chinese editions 2009 and 2010): ‘In 2005 there was an exhibition of “China: Three Emperors (1662–1795)”. David Hockney, the Fellow of The Royal Academy of Arts, commented that the Chinese paintings deployed multiple perspective points in a single painting, which is different from the single perspective point in Western painting. For him, Western history of art has long neglected the beauty and sophistication of the Chinese scroll painting (A typical example is the Qingming Riverside Painting)’. From Hockney’s point of view, the scroll painting ‘bears close resemblance to cinema pictures by offering a sense of pleasure at being part of the painting. As the Chinese painting has no vanishing point, its viewer has to assume a participatory approach, rather than a static posture, through which to engage him or herself, including eyes, body and psyche into the story-telling and moving with the scroll part by part” (David Hockney, “A Difference of Perspective”, in “Three Emperors, 1662–1795”, RA Magazine, Winter, 2005). Chang believes that western social science is more focused on a detailed analysis of specific issues, while the Chinese way is to offer a combined approach to several issues together. Her ‘book is an attempt to present to its readers a huge scroll painting of the complicated relationships in the everyday life of a Chinese village. It is nonetheless not totally Chinese, just as sometimes in the West a few miniatures can be presented on one big wall. In this case they are embedded in the Chinese scroll. Hockney’s prescription of how to appreciate Chinese painting might be helpful for readers in their approach to this book’ (Chang, 2010, p42-43).
Xiangqun Chang, originally posted on July 30, 2014; updated on August 30, 2024.
Related pages:
- Click here to the Chinese page.
- Click here to view the page ‘GCA Life Fellow Korean Sociologist Professor HAN Sang-Jin Meeting Professor Xiangqun Chang at Seoul, January 2023.’
- Click here to the news ‘The Chinese Chair of the Global China Aacademy Council, Professor LI Qiang, passed away on the 12 December, 2023’.
- Click here to watch a video of Professor LI Qiang’s greeting for the launch of the Global China Academy as an academy at the 7th Global China Dialogue, on December 10th, 2021, at the British Academy.
- Click here to visit News and Blog.
Photo report: Max Weber and China conference was successfully held at SOAS, 2013
China, the West and the Future of Global Capitalism – or Not?
From a recent press release of SOAS, ‘the future of the global economic system depends on the West’s relations with China. A hundred years ago Max Weber, famous as a founder of modern Western social and political science, wrote a classic study of cultural factors that hindered the rise of Western style capitalism in non-Western contexts.’ On 5-6 September, a conference entitled ‘Max Weber and China: Culture, Law and Capitalism’, was successfully held at SOAS, University of London. Nearly a hundred social scientists from China and around the world re-examined Weber’s thesis and asked how far his pioneering social scientific methods can illuminate the very different conditions of economic growth today. After the conference we received praise from some conference participants:
- ‘A great triumph!’
- ‘a significant conference!’
- ‘a fantastic conference!’
- ‘an intellectually productive conference!’
We hope you will enjoy the photo news below which will highlight some features of the conference and show some initial reflections. Your material and opinions are welcome and will be used to update this page from time to time.
Keynote speeches
The last Keynote speaker was Professor Gary Hamilton (left below), University of Washington, USA. Professor Wolfgang Schluchter (right) chaired this session. He acknowledged two things that he learned from Hamilton on studies of Weber. One is that Hamilton’s work on family based capitalism in Asia reveals to him that Weber’s insistence that capitalism requires a separation between firms and families was not accurate for Asia. Another is that he agreed that Weber made a mistake equating patria potestas and xiao (孝) in his comparison of traditional Chinese and Roman societies. When Schluchter mentioned this he shown the newly published From the Soil —– the foundation of Chinese society (Xiangtu Zhongguo), Chinese-English edition, by Fei Xiaotong and translated by Gary Hamilton and Zheng Wang (second right in next set of photos). The editor of the Chinese-English edition of From the Soil is the same person who organised a dialogue between Gary Hamilton and Xiangqun Chang on Fei’s contributions to world anthropology and global sociology for commemorating the centenary of Professor Fei Xiaotong’s birth in 2010. The abridged version is published in Anthropology Today, No.6, 2011 (the first and second photos on the left). The completed version will be available in print in Journal of China in Comparative Perspective (JCCP), 1(2), 2011.
Plenary sessions
Streams
Q &A sessions
Closing session
As a Chinese saying puts it, there is no feast under heaven (tianxia) that can last forever (天下没有不散的筵席), which means, of course, that all good things must come to an end. Conferences are indeed intellectual feasts. We hope, after you return home, the visible or invisible images, imaginative thinking or memories of the Weber and China conference and its spirit will stay with you…
Click HERE to download the Photo Report
How do Migrants from the BRICS Countries Participate in Shaping the Global Society?
The international conference entitled ‘How do Migrants from the BRICS Countries Participate in Shaping the Global Society?’ was successfully held on the 2nd March 2013 at CLM.2.02 of LSE.
Professor Athar Hussain, Director of Asian Research Centre, LSE, opened the conference. Lord Michael Bates gave an interesting opening address. A China based expert on ‘migrant studies’ Professor Minghuan Li, and an UK based expert on ‘migration studies’, Dr Nicholas Van Hear, made keynote speeches respectively. Eight team members of the project on the BRICS migrant studies presented their papers around two themes: ‘Case studies on the BRICS migrants and migration in the global society’, and ‘The relationship migrated citizens have with their countries of origin in a global society’. Dr Xiangqun Chang gave a very brief overview by clarifying the research topic and interests, disseminating basic data from both fieldwork and online questionnaire survey. The audience actively participated in the ‘question and answer’ panels. The closing panel was formed by three professors. Professor Ronald Skeldon gave a clossing presentation, Professor Karamjit Gill made some general comments and finally Professor Stephan Feuchtwang made closing remarks.
Background
China in Comparative Perspective Network (CCPN) at LSE is engaged in an international collaborative research project known as ‘Comparative Studies on the New Migrants from BRIC counties in America, Australia, Japan and the UK’ (2009-2013). The project is collaborative with the School of Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan. It is funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and involves researchers from Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UK, and USA. Our research focuses on ‘new migrants’ who have migrated from BRIC countries to the UK, the USA, Australia and Japan since 1989.
In responding to the changes from BRIC to BRICS, the large and fast-growing economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), which significantly influence regional and global affairs, we have added migrants from South Affric in the UK in the comparative studies. Both the BRICS countries themselves and the migrants they send out are of great importance in shaping the future of global society.
Our research can be used to identify ways of fostering the economic and social well-being of BRICS migrants in the four countries under study, and enhance their economic and social contributions to their host countries. We are also interested in ways in which migrants residing abroad can assist in the development of their home countries.
Apart from standard social scientific methods this project uses online questionnaire survey (it will be held until the 31st January 2013). You are welcome to participate in the survey and the data can be shared at your request.
Instead of performing ‘migration studies’ this project expands the field into ‘migrant studies’. It focuses on ‘ordinary migrant people’ in contrast to simply paying attention to a special group of people as an example of human rights issues in migration studies. We believe ‘ordinary people’ are the basis of any society.
Organisers and convenors
Organisers:
- Asia Research Centre, LSE
- China in Comparative Perspective Network (CCPN), LSE
- Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU), Japan
- Zhejiang UK Association (ZJUKA), UK
Convenors:
- Professor Lixing Chen, School of Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan; President of Japan-Sino Sociological Association
- Dr Xiangqun Chang, Co-Director of China in Comparative Perspective Network (CCPN), LSE
Programme
Morning session 9:00-13:00
Chair: Professor Athar Hussain, Director of Asia Research Centre, LSE
Opening session 9:00-10:15
- BRICS migrants in the UK, By Lord Michael Bates, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman of the House of Lords
- The Chinese in Europe: Migration history and their participation in shaping European society, by Professor Minghuan Li, Department of Sociology, Xiamen University, China; Consultant of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of State Council, PRC
- The changing global migration order: two decades of turbulence, by Dr Nicholas Van Hear, Senior Researcher and Deputy Director of the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford, UK
Case studies on the BRICS migrants and migration in the global society
10:15-10:45 Is Japan’s Labour Structure in Transition? Lessons from the Brazilian Labour in the Mie Prefecture, by Professor KUMARA Ananda, Vice-President of Suzuka International University, Japan [ppt ; paper summary]
10:45-11:15 Skilled Russian Migration: Impact on Development through Empowerment, by Dr Esuna Dugarova, Research Analyst, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Switzerland [ppt]
11:15-11:30 break
11:30-12:00 From vulnerability to flexibility: Indian middleman traders in Shaoxing, China, by Mr Ka-kin Cheuk, PhD candidate, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK [ppt]
12:00-12:30 Chinese lawyers in Brazil, Australia and the UK – a three way comparison, by Ms Helen Tung, Barrister, 1 Temple Avenue Chambers, London, UK [ppt]
12:30-13:00 South Africa as the BRICS Gateway to Africa and its Implications for Migration Patterns, by Ms Ana Faria-Santana, by CCPN Research Associate, LSE; former Research Director, Centre for Chinese Studies, University of Stellenbosch – South Africa [ppt]
13:00-14:00 Lunch (will be provided at CLM 7.02)
Afternoon session: 13:00-17:00
The relationship migrated citizens have with their countries of origin in a global society
Chair: Dr Kent Deng, Director of CCPN and Reader in Economic History, LSE
2:00-:2:30 Comparative studies on what influence the migration from BRICS channelling back to their home countries, by Professor CHEN Lixing, PI of the BRIC migrant project, School of Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan; President of Japan-China Sociological Society (JCSS), Japan
2:30-3:00 Homeland Calling, Family Pulling: New Migrants from BRICS Countries in the UK, USA, Australia and Japan, by Dr SHAO Chunfen, Lecturer of Department of Japanese Studies, the University of Sydney, Australia
3:00-3:15 break
3:15-3:45 Allegiance Problems to Settled and Home Countries: Dynamics and Effects, by Professor KOMAI Hiroshi Professor Emeritus, the University of Tsukuba, Japan
3:45-4:15 How do Migrants from the BRICS Countries Participate in Shaping the Global Society? An overview by Dr Xiangqun Chang, Co-PI of the BRIC migrant project, Co-Director of China in Comparative Perspective Network (CCPN), LSE, UK [ppt]
4:15-5:30 Closing session
- Professor Ronald Skeldon, Department of Geography, School of Global Studies, University of Sussex [ppt]
- Professor Karamjit Gill, Human Centred Systems, University of Brighton; Editor of AI & SOCIETY: Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Communication
- Professor Stephan Feuchtwang, Department of Anthropology, founding Director of China in Comparative Perspective Network (CCPN) and MSc Programme, LSE
Related info
Click HERE to download programme
Click HERE to download abstracts
LSE weblisting:
http://www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events/2013/03/20130302t0900vCLM202.aspx
ZJUKA: http://www.zjuka.org.uk/page13.html
If you have any question please write to: ccpn@lse.ac.uk
Notes:
1. This event was organised when CCPN was at LSE. Please contact CCPN Global with its new email address: info@ccpn-global.com.
2. We will update the ppt or paper summaries soon.
3. The conference collection will be buplished by the end of 2013 (this page will be updated accordingly)
Photos
Some attendees at the conference
Click HERE to Chinese page