NEWS & EVENTS

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. 

October 9, 2023, marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of Matteo Ricci. On this significant day, HE Bruno Angelet, the Belgian Ambassador to China, along with Sinology experts and scholars from both China and Europe, alongside representatives from various fields, convened at TBC. Together, they traced the footsteps of Matteo Ricci, reflecting on the remarkable achievements of this Belgian missionary. 

Although we visited many locations while on the Silk Road Excursion, visiting Xiahe and the Snowland Arts school was definitely one of my favorite experiences. Located within walking distance of the famous Labrang Monastery, Snowland Arts is a small but beautiful school hosted in the home of Tenzin Dolma – the owner and sole teacher of the learning center. Standing outside the door I could sense a homely and welcoming energy. The sign outside reads, “Welcome to Snowland Arts” on a chalkboard sign next to a rock painted “Artists Rock.”. In the distance behind the school, you can see the Tibetan mountains making it a magnificent view. 

This October, TBC is excited to be a Beijing partner of the CHINA Town Hall event series, held by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. We invite you to join us on Oct 12 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am CST, for the 2023 CHINA Town Hall program, which will feature Ambassador Burns in conversation with the National Committee on U.S. – China Relations President Stephen Orlins, followed by an on-site discussion moderated by TBC Director Simon Koo about U.S.-China relations and its impact on Higher Education in China.

Under the invitation of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, Hong Kong Diocese Group Visited TBC on September 18th. The visit, spanning five days, was marked by a series of exchange activities in Beijing. As the only member institution of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) in mainland China, TBC extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. 

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP) convened from 27 – 30 August 2023 at the Mirador Jesuit Villa and Retreat House, Baguio City, Philippines, for the AJCU-AP Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Meeting 2023. Representing 18 member institutions from 9 countries were 28 meeting participants composed of CEOs or their representatives, and International Networking Officers (INOs) of their respective institutions. This August 2023 gathering was the largest ever and most well-attended CEOs Meeting of the AJCU-AP and was hosted by Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

How does history shape your impressions of other countries?

Dr. Liu Xin, an expert on Sino-UK relations and author of Anglo-Chinese Encounters Before the Opium War: A Tale of Two Empires over Two Centuries (2022), recently spoke at The Beijing Center about her in-depth study of that very question. After all, the first ever contact between China and the United Kingdom on record was a conflict. Was it fate, then, that the two countries should have entered into such a rocky relationship later during the 19th century?

It is with great sadness that TBC reports the passing of Dr. Yang Hengda, who was a great leader, academic, and friend. Professor Yang had an incredible impact on The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies and the world of literature, having translated many works by Friedrich Nietzsche and written many works of his own. He died July 12, and services were held July 27.

The Beijing Center (TBC) has recently been honored with a donation of Sinology books and Han Dynasty artifacts from Mr. Mok. TBC spoke with him to learn a little more about him and his motivations for this generous donation. 

Ian is a film director and producer from New York who first came to China for a year-long exchange program at TBC in 2014. After graduating from university, he returned to China and founded his own media production company. During his time in China, he filmed a documentary about No Dogs Left Behind, an animal rescue organization. In this interview, Ian shares his initial intentions of coming to China and his rich experiences in the country.