A delegation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), including President Anderson Pedroso, Fr. Roberto Barros Dias, President of the Leonal Franca Priest Foundation, and Yanping Sun, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at PUC-Rio, recently visited Beijing to deepen historical understanding and discuss potential collaborations.
During their visit, the group, accompanied by Simon Koo, Executive Director of TBC, toured the Zhalan Cemetery, where they paid their respects at the tomb of Matteo Ricci, S.J. The delegation also honored the memory of other influential Jesuits, such as Johann Adam Schall von Bell S.J., and Ferdinand Verbiest S.J. They showed particular interest in the Portuguese Jesuits, including Gabriel de Magalhães S.J. and Antonio Gomes S.J., reflecting on their contributions to cultural exchanges between China and the West.
The visit was not only a pilgrimage to the resting places of these historical figures but also an opportunity to explore the extensive history of missionaries in China. The delegation’s engagement with this history highlights the deep roots of intercultural dialogue that both PUC-Rio and TBC value.
Later, discussions turned towards future cooperation. President Pedroso emphasized the significance of the partnership with TBC, viewing the visit as a crucial step towards broadening international collaborations and dialogues. He expressed a strong desire to foster sustainable growth and deepen mutual understanding between the institutions.
This visit marks a milestone in the ongoing relationship between PUC-Rio and TBC, setting the stage for future projects that will benefit both communities and further the cause of global education and intercultural understanding.
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.
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.”
A delegation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), including President Anderson Pedroso, Fr. Roberto Barros Dias, President of the Leonal Franca Priest Foundation, and Yanping Sun, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at PUC-Rio, recently visited Beijing to deepen historical understanding and discuss potential collaborations.
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.