Prominent scholars and professionals shared their insights at the 9th International Symposium of the 21st Century World Forum on Chinese Culture, held at UIC on 8 and 9 December. UIC also unveiled the Institute for Communication Studies of Chinese Culture, aiming to rejuvenate Chinese cultural heritage.
World scholars on Chinese culture
Organised by the China Yanhuang Culture Research Association, Beijing Foreign Studies University and UIC, the International Symposium welcomed participants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Germany, France, Egypt, Turkey, Singapore, as well as other regions in the world.
Over 30 papers were presented and discussed. The research topics revolved around “Multicultural Dialogue and Social Development from the Perspective of Ecological Civilisation.” The presenters drew inspirations from classical Chinese philosophy, such as Confucianism, Taoism and The I Ching. They also used their local thinking as well as modern viewpoints to address the ecological issues that the world is facing.
UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai welcomed the guests during his opening address, adding, “UIC upholds an internationalised education, and meanwhile, we hope our students will join to inherit and promote their traditional culture.”
Mr Chen Zongxing, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the 11th CPPCC, and Ms Zhang Zhaoyi, director of Beijing Foreign Studies University research office, also gave opening remarks.
Professor Xu Jialu, Chairman of the UIC Council and former Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, delivered a keynote speech. He analysed the importance of multicultural dialogue and how it pushes the development of human society forward. Prof Xu is also president of the China Yanhuang Culture Research Association.
Keynote speakers Prof Xu Jialu (m) and Zhou Kai (l)
Mr Zhou Kai, executive director of the Administrative Committee of the Foundation of China Energy Saving and Emission Reduction, looked at the challenges of China’s ecological environment at his keynote speech and illustrated the experiences of some Chinese cities as well as other countries to seek possible solutions.
Since its establishment in 1998, the 21st Century World Forum on Chinese Culture has organised eight International Symposiums in Beijing, Hong Kong, Macao, Taipei, Guangzhou, Singapore, Melbourne, as well as Vienna.
Promoting Chinese culture
The participants witnessed the inception of the Institute for Communication Studies of Chinese Culture at UIC on the second day of the symposium.
UIC President Ng Ching-Fai and Prof Xu Jialu launch the Institute for Communication Studies of Chinese Culture
The idea of founding this institute came into Prof Xu Jialu’s mind two years ago. He told the audience at the launching ceremony: “Chinese culture has 5,000 years of history, which lives and presents itself in a wide variety of ways in our daily lives. UIC as a college of close international connections has the responsibility to take initiatives and let the world know about Chinese culture.”
Prof Xu Jialu serves as the director of the institute, Prof Ng Ching-Fai as the executive vice-director, and Dr Wu Hongyu, Director of Chinese Language and Culture Centre at UIC, as the general secretary. In addition, prominent citizens and renowned scholars worldwide will be invited to set up an advisory committee and an academic committee. An administration committee will also be established in the future.
Reporter/Photographer: Deen He
Editor: Samuel Burgess
(from MPRO)
