Library Tour: First British Embassy to China
This is the first American edition of Anderson’s fascinating account of Britain’s first diplomatic mission to China in 1792. By the end of the eighteenth century the East India Company had been trading with Chinese merchants for two hundred years, but in a strictly limited way.
Library Tour: Memoirs by the missionaries of Beijing in the 18th century
At the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, as the 18th century drew to a close, the Western world was eager for knowledge—driven by a philosophical movement that championed reason and science. King Louis XV of France asked for the advice of his trusted Minister of State, Henri Bertin, about how to reform the spirit of the nation, after giving it some thought, Bertin famously responded, “Sire, to inoculate the French with the Chinese spirit.”
TBC Welcomes Visit from Vice-President of International Affairs at Sogang University, South Korea
Fr. Seil Oh, S.J., the Vice-President of International Affairs from Sogang University, South Korea, visited The Beijing Center (TBC) on January 6th, 2025. During his visit, he met with TBC’s Executive Director, Simon Koo, to discuss strategies for enhancing the collaboration between their respective institutions.
Library Tour: Nouvelle Relation de la Chine
Imagine traveling across continents in the 1600s to reach China—a world almost entirely unknown to Europeans at the time. That is exactly the experience of Magalhães, a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who spent over 20 years in China.
TBC Donated to Casa Ricci and Bethel
Last year, The Beijing Center (TBC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner that was not just about marking a milestone but about embodying the Jesuit tradition of service and community impact.
Library Tour: A Look Inside Kircher’s China Illustrata
Athanasius Kircher was a renowned Jesuit scholar of the 17th century, he was called the “Renaissance man” and is often described as an enigmatic intellectual, due to his wide range of interests in subjects like linguistics, geology, music, etc. He is also credited as the founder of Egyptology, although later on, most of his translations needed to be corrected.
Beijing’s Historic Central Axis: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
We are thrilled that the Beijing’s Historic Central Axis, an architectural marvel that runs through the core of the Chinese capital, has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO.
Interview with Yenching Scholars: TBC as an East-West Cultural Bridge
During Koen and Dario’s visit to TBC, they interviewed Executive Director Simon Koo to learn more about TBC’s history, responsibilities, and mission.
Commemorating the 414th Anniversary of Matteo Ricci’s Death
Today, we commemorate the 414th anniversary of the death of Matteo Ricci (October 6, 1552 – May 11, 1610), the “first person who bridged East and West”.
Library Tour: Exploring the First European Book on the Chinese Language
This book, written by John Webb, was published in 1669 and holds the distinction of being the first European book on the Chinese language.
Commemoration of the 433rd Anniversary of the Birth of Johann Adam Schall Von Bell
Today marks the 433rd anniversary of the birth of Johann Adam Schall von Bell (May 1, 1592 – August 15, 1666)
TBC’s 25th Anniversary: Featured in Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific’s 2024 Annual Report
The paper commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) finds itself showcased within the pages of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific’s 2024 Annual Report.
TBC Participates in the 2024 AmCham China Education Working Group Kickoff Meeting
Recently, TBC participated in the Education Committee kick-off meeting hosted by American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China). The meeting focused on enhancing dialogue about education initiatives between the U.S. and China, bridging educational institutions from both countries, and uncovering potential collaborative opportunities with the business sector.
Fr. Antonio Spadaro’s Journey in China
In December 2023, TBC (The Beijing Center) welcomed an old friend—Fr. Antonio Spadaro SJ, an Italian scholar, writer, and a key advisor to Pope Francis. He previously visited TBC in 2019, delivering an academic lecture on “Cultural Fusion in the World.” This time, TBC was honored to host Father Spadaro once again.
LIBRARY TOUR – EYEWITNESS TO THE FALL OF THE MING DYNASTY, PART 2
One of the most interesting books TBC has in historical collection the original Latin edition of Historia Tartaro-Sinica nova, written by the Belgian Jesuit Francois de Rougemont, and is his eyewitness narrative of the Ming-Qing Transition. That includes the Manchu campaigns against Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) and the foreign missionary activities in China in the mid-17th century.
The Beijing Center celebrates 25 Years; elects Fr Stephen Tong SJ as board chairman
To mark the 25th anniversary of the only Jesuit institution in mainland China, The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) gathered friends and alumni on the evening of 28 November to cherish the sweet memories of the past and look forward to the bright future.
LIBRARY TOUR – EYEWITNESS TO THE FALL OF THE MING DYNASTY, PART 1
Earlier in TBC’s blog series, we introduced the missionary-produced atlases of China, shedding light on their geographical contributions. If you’re intrigued, feel free to explore it here. However, the missionaries influence went beyond mapping terrain that they also played a crucial role in documenting significant historical events. Join us as we uncover their accounts, revealing a narrative that goes beyond maps and extends into the rich tapestry of China’s history.
NIGHT MARKETS ON THE SILK ROAD
Before arriving in China, many of my close Chinese friends and neighbors would tell me tips and tricks on navigating the markets as if they were treacherous roads. At that time, I didn’t take it too seriously. I already had some sense of what night markets are like from previous experiences in Asian countries, so I was confident I knew how it worked. I had no idea how vital those tips would be on the Silk Road Excursion this semester.
CHINA TOWN HALL: KUNMING
Following the insightful discussions at the 2023 CHINA Town Hall event in Beijing on October 12, the Kunming Liya Center, a satellite site of The Beijing Center (TBC) and a partner venue of the 2023 CHINA Town Hall, organized an in-person discussion on October 20. The participants from the U.S., France, and the U.K. represented various fields, including medicine, business, self-media, and public welfare. After watching the interview with the U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, TBC’s Executive Director, Simon Koo, led the discussion on the theme of “What Changes Are Needed to Adapt to Life and Work in Kunming after the Pandemic.”
CHINA TOWN HALL RECAP
On October 12, the 2023 CHINA Town Hall program brought together influential voices for an insightful discussion on U.S.-China relations. Hosted live from Beijing, the event featured Ambassador Nicholas Burns engaging in a webcast conversation with Stephen Orlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Among the partner venues was The Beijing Center (TBC), where TBC Executive Director Simon Koo led an on-site discussion covering a broad spectrum of topics, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, technology competition, and global development.