China Center News

Fall 2003

Beijing Fazheng Group seeks partnerships with U of M

Wang & Bruinicks

Mr. Wang and President Bruininks

From August 8 to 16 the China Center hosted Mr. Wang Guangfa, chairman of the board of the Beijing Fazheng Group (formerly Beijing Justice Group). Mr. Wang founded the company in 1993, and in 2002 it had assets of about $150 million. Beijing Fazheng Group excels in the following business areas: real estate, estate management, legal services, construction, hotel and restaurant management, as well as K-12 private education.

Authorized by the Beijing Municipal Government Education Committee, Mr. Wang would like to fund or invest in a joint academic program in China between the University of Minnesota and a reputable Chinese university. While here, Mr. Wang explored potential partnerships with the University of Minnesota Law School and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Associate Dean of the Law School Meredith McQuaid had the following comments on Mr. Wang's visit:

"The Law School was delighted to host Mr. Wang during his visit to the University. We discussed the possibility of joining forces to offer in Beijing either a specialization in U.S. law or a LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree program, similar to the one currently offered at the Law School. The Law School's LL.M. Program for Foreign Lawyers receives dozens of applications each year from Chinese lawyers who have two to five years of experience, but who may not be able to attend the program in Minnesota for a number of reasons. Mr. Wang and I discussed the viability of bringing the program to Beijing, instead of the lawyers coming here. A part-time day program, an evening program, or even a weekend program could address the needs of these Chinese lawyers while allowing them to continue working at their profession. Mr. Wang was very interested in developing a base of mature students. The program offered by the Law School could be either one specializing in transaction/corporate law, for example, or one that provides a thorough understanding of the U.S. legal system in general. We look forward to more discussions with Mr. Wang about this collaboration."

While in Minnesota, Wang also gave a lecture,"Opportunities of China's Privatized Economy," on August 14. Attendees included U of M students, faculty, and local business representatives interested in China. Mr Wang and Dr. Hong Yang have proposed the establishment of a "Fazheng Guangfa Educational Development Fund" at the China Center to help U of M faculty and staff conduct education-related exchange in China.

Wushu Master Wu Bin conducts training camp in Minnesota

Bing Group

Mr.Wu Bin, a Wushu grandmaster, three members of his delegation from the Beijing Wushu team, Dr. Yang, and China Center staff after the opening luncheon

On August 18 a luncheon was given in honor of Grandmaster Wu Bin, the head coach of the Chinese National Wushu (Martial Arts) Team and master instructor of both Jackie Chan and Jet Li. This luncheon was co-sponsored by the China Center, the Chinese American Association of Minnesota, and the Young Americans Schools of Self Defense.

Joab Meyer and Sarah Rinkenberger, China Center staff, gave a presentation on Chinese history, geography, and culture to the more than 100 students and their parents participating in a week-long training camp. According to Grandmaster Wu Bin, this weeklong training was an intital step in helping Americans develop a Wushu team for the 2008 Olympics, which will be held in Beijing and where Wushu will be included as a medal sport for the first time.

Message from the Director

I am very pleased to share with you that in 2004 we will celebrate the China Center's 25th anniversary. We will plan many activities and programs that will help us reflect on the China Center's important contributions over the past 25 years and celebrate its future through new and exciting initiatives. Please mark your calendars for the 25th anniversary inaugural event, the next Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture, to be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, which is Chinese New Year's Eve. Former U.S. Senator Rod Grams will speak on U.S.-China relations.

Recently, the China Center Advisory Council modified the China Center's mission statement to more completely reflect the nature and variety of the China Center's activities. Our new mission statement is: "The University of Minnesota China Center builds bridges between the U.S. and Greater China."

I am excited to also announce the creation of the China Center Friends (CCF). CCF is a family of enthusiastic supporters, friends, colleagues, and those who share a love for Chinese history, culture, arts, and affairs. Members of CCF will work with the China Center to increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and China. CCF programs, such as monthly seminars or annual events, will reflect the interests of the friends and their communities. We invite you to join the family of CCF and help us promote and advance greater understanding between the U.S. and China. For more information, please contact the China Center.

I deeply appreciate your generous contributions and strong support of the China Center and its programs over the last year. The China Center's 2002-03 annual report is now available in our office. Please call or email us if you would like to receive a copy. Let each of us take part in the profound endeavor of "building bridges" and shape a better future for all.

Minnesota participants appear on 'Meet China' TV show

MN Participants

From Left: Jim Schwandt, Dallas Schwadt, Bob Griffin, Randy Johnson, Hong Yang, Li-King Feng, Joan Brzezinski

The China Center assisted Skyarc International Media in arranging a broadcast of its Meet China TV series on China's CCTV-4. Designed to feature the economy, culture, and industry of selected locations in China, Meet China introduces local government, education, commercial, and civic leaders of a specific city in China to their counterparts in a selected U.S. city.

The China Center arranged a panel of local representatives: Commissioner Randy Johnson of Hennepin County, businessmen Bob Griffin of Griffin International, Dallas and Jim Schwandt of Minn-Chem Inc., Mr. Li-King Feng of the Minnesota Trade Office, and Dr. Hong Yang and Joan Brzezinski of the China Center. The featured Chinese city on this program was Jiangyin located on the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province approximately 100 miles from Shanghai. The host of the Meet China program, Mr. Gu Yifan, and the secretary and mayor of Jiangyin City, Mr. Wang Weicheng, led the discussion. The two sides discussed a variety of topics ranging from education, commerce, and history, to the arts and local delicacies for each city. The program was taped over a two-hour period and aired on September 20 in China on CCTV-4.

Introducing two University of Minnesota Chinese alumni

The University of Minnesota has more than 8,000 Chinese alumni. Here's a brief look at two highly successful alumni!

Dr. Liu Daqun, native of Hebei Province, China, studied at the University of Minnesota's Department of Plant Pathology from 1987 to 1995. In November 2000, Dr. Liu was presented with the first International Achievement Award from the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (COAFES). Dr. Liu was recognized for his outstanding research and leadership qualities as well as the efforts he has made in bringing University of Minnesota and Chinese scholars together in various professional endeavors. As a loyal alumnus, who earned a Ph.D. in plant pathology, he has repeatedly expressed the importance of his education at the U of M and the impact it has made on his vision for the future development of agricultural sciences in China.

Currently he is president of the Agricultural University of Hebei (AUH); a professor and supervisor for Ph.D students; as well as a managing director of the Chinese Plant Pathology Association, chairman of the Hebei Plant Pathology Association, and a deputy-director of the International Research and Training Center for Rural Education. Recently he was also chosen as one of the "Top 100 excellent returned overseas intellectuals." He is a member of the 10th National People's Congress of China, serving NPC from 2003 to 2008.

Mr. Zhang "Alex" Zhao, a native of Beijing, China, first came to the United States in 1985 as one of China's first few legal professionals awarded a Ford Foundation scholarship to pursue further legal studies in the United States. After receiving his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1989, as well as being admitted to practice before the State Courts of Minnesota, he joined the corporate department of Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis in 1989 to practice international corporate and commercial law. He is currently working for Dorsey Whitney as the co-chairman for Asia Practice Group, partner in charge of Greater China Practice, and managing partner for the Shanghai Office.

Mr. Zhang practices in the areas of cross-border investment and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital/private equity financing, Asian distressed assets transactions, international joint ventures, technology licensing, China inward investment and acquisitions, and general corporate and commercial matters.

Summer in Minnesota Picnic

Picnic

Scholars, students, and their families enjoy great food & lots of fun!

On June 15th the China Center organized a picnic for Chinese students, scholars, their families and friends at Como Park in St. Paul. The China Center organized this event knowing that many of these people had to cancel or delay their normal summer travel plans due to the SARS outbreak in Asia. The aim was to show these students, scholars, their families and friends that if they couldn't return home for the summer, Minnesota could be their home away from home!

More than 200 people attended this successful event, which featured a fusion of Western and Chinese dishes, including BBQ pork sandwiches, potato salad, fried rice, cream cheese won tons, spicy chicken salad, and watermelon. After filling up on all the delicious food, adults and children alike had the opportunity to participate in a variety of games such as volleyball, kite flying, a water balloon toss, the three-legged race, and various other picnic games.

Picnic

Kids enjoy a "blind-egg race" during the Picnic

Welcome to seven new CCAC members

The China Center Advisory Council (CCAC) is pleased to welcome two new honorary members, two new members from the University community, as well as five new non-University members.

Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator, and Annie Wu, chairman for the Executive Committee of the World Trade Centers Association in Hong Kong have gladly accepted their positions as honorary members of CCAC. Mr. Grams served in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2000 and supported trade with China. He was instrumental to China's Permanent Normalized Trade Relations vote in the U.S. Senate in 1999. Ms. Wu, a long-time friend of the U of M, is a strong advocate for the promotion of Chinese history and cultures.

Joseph Allen is chair of the University of Minnesota's Asian Languages and Literature Department as well as a professor of Chinese Literature. One of his most memorable memories in China is standing at Yangguan Pass and watching mirages over the Takalamakan Desert, the beginning of the southern silk route. His main interests are in Chinese literature and visual arts.

David Fisher, a U of M alumnus, is a businessman and corporate attorney with a record of accomplishments in diverse, challenging, and complex business environments and a background in international transactions and business development, and government administration. His most memorable moment in China was his introduction to crispy fried scorpion on a stick- which he suggests is a promising Minnesota State Fair opportunity!

Joel Lebewitz, also a U of M alumnus, is a CPA and attorney as well as a member of Lurie Besikof Lapidis & Company's Partnership Committee. His favorite Chinese food is anything hot and spicy- Sichuan style!

Weiming Lu is the president of the Lowertown Redevelopment Corporation in St. Paul as well as a member of the Committee of 100, a national organization of Chinese-American leaders in the arts, academia, public service, business, and science. Weiming is a strong supporter of Chinese arts in the local community.

Judson Sheridan is the associate dean for research at the U of M's College of Biological Sciences. He has been involved in establishing scientific exchanges with Chinese universities and the Chinese Academy of Science. Judd is also an avid self-taught learner of the Chinese language and is making progress each day towards greater fluency. Way to go, Judd!

Amy Xu, an attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, specializes in the area of intellectual property protection for business ventures in China. As an alumna of both the U of M and Fudan Univerity in Shanghai, Amy hopes to bring additional energy to the CCAC to enhance the "bridge-building" mission of the China Center.

Margaret Wong is a Chinese language teacher at Breck School. Her passion is teaching Chinese language to American students, which she has been doing for almost 30 years. Each new group of students stimulates and inspires her to teach better. Margaret shares that her "most memorable moment was to have (her) American high school students (32 of them) sing the Chinese national anthem on Tiananmen Square to a crowd of hundreds of Chinese tourists, who were moved to tears."

U of M student groups perform at the State Fair

Each year various student groups from the U of M are asked to represent their organization at the "Great Minnesota Get Together," the Minnesota State Fair. In 2003 the China Center assisted and sponsored two student organizations, the Friendship Association of Chinese Students & Scholars (FACSS) and the Taiwan Student Association (TSA), in preparation for their debuts at the State Fair.

The Members of FACSS performed twice on the University of Minnesota stage on August 29. They shared with an interested audience techniques of Taiqi as well as a traditional Chinese dance called "The Red Ribbon Dance," which signifies happiness when presented during special holidays such as Chinese New Year. After performing the dance they invited the audience to join them in the moves.

Dancers Group

FACSS performers at the State Fair

Taiwan Student Association (TSA) members gave two presentations of Chinese games, such as the spinning of traditional tops, at the stage on September 1. They invited intrigued onlookers to participate and try the games themselves.

TSA Top

Top-throwing demonstration by TSA at the State Fair

Giving makes greatness possible

Private support at the University of Minnesota is at the highest levels ever. The momentum created by the historic Campaign Minnesota fundraising drive will be felt for years to come in many ways. The China Center, under the creative leadership of Dr. Hong Yang and a talented and committed China Center staff, is poised to take advantage of this momentum with your help.

Charitable gifts from individuals come to the University through many forms including gifts of cash and stock, bequests, income-producing gifts, and gifts of tangible property. Gifts come in amounts from ten dollars to ten million dollars. Donors make out-right gifts or they make pledges payable over a term of years. To initiate a conversation about how your own charitable giving might play a role in fulfilling the mission of the China Center, please contact Diane Young, development officer, at the U of M Foundation, 612-624-8819 or 1-800-775-2187.

Events and Visitors May
September 2003

Mr. Zhang Youyun, director of the American and Oceanic Division of the Foreign Affairs Bureau within the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), visited the Twin Cities from May 29 to June 1. While at the University, Mr. Zhang discussed areas of collaboration between CASS and the University with China Center staff and members of the University faculty.

On June 5, the China Center hosted two staff members from the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago: Mr. Yang Song, the head of the Culture Office at the consulate, and Mr. Ren Faqiang, the vice-consul in the Politics and Press Office.

Mr. Pan Yong and Ms. Wang Wei visited the Twin Cities from July 13 to 15. They are representatives of Ms. Annie Wu, Chairwoman and Executive Committee Member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) — Hong Kong. They visited with China Center staff regarding possible collaborations between the University and WTCA.

On August 9, the China Center hosted a group of managers from various Cargill-owned companies involved in food-processing operations in China, including Mr. Zhu Pingxin from Jiaxing, Mr. Fu Yuansheng from Yantai, and Mr. Cui Mingdao from Fushun. While at the University they met with Dr. John Vreyens, director of the Office of International Agricultural Programs to learn more about collaborative opportunities as well as discussed with China Center staff the possibilities of becoming involved in the Career Connections program.

A three-person delegation led by Mr. Yuan Zhongwei, deputy director-general, Bureau of Personnel, Zhejiang Province, visited from September 15 to 18 and chose the U of M as its base for Zhejiang's two proposed training programs (a six-month and a two-month program) in the areas of business management, WTO affairs, and international trade in 2004.

A six-member delegation from the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi'an visited the U of M from September 17 to 19, led by President Su Bo, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Zhang Li; Mr. Yang Zhengqing, director of the Foreign Affairs Office; Mr. Tang Ruyi, professor of medical ethics; Mr. Sun Yongtao, professor of infectious diseases; and Mr. Ge Guangchun, professor of foreign languages.