China Center News

Winter 1998

Yudof Meets Chinese Leaders and Educators

Picture:The U of M delegation visits Li Xiaolin, Vice President of Chinese Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries. left to right: Judy Yudof, David Pui, Li Xiaolin, President Yudof, Frank Jesse, Ms. Yu, Tonya Brown

At the invitation of Governor Arne Carlson, President Mark and Judith Yudof, Chief of Staff Tonya Brown, and Professor and China Center Director David Pui joined the Governor's delegation to Beijing, People's Republic of China, January 11-14, 1998. The missions of the University delegation were:

  1. to support the Governor's business development mission,
  2. to connect with University of Minnesota Chinese alumni and to honor several senior alumni with Distinguished Achievement Awards,
  3. to meet with Chinese academic leaders and to further several college initiatives toward Chinese academic exchanges.

Prior to a visiting with Chinese leaders, Ambassador James Sasser briefed the delegation at the US Embassy. Later at the meeting with China President Jiang Zemin, Jiang said that his US visit last fall created new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Jiang said that he was particularly pleased by President Yudof's presence and that he understood that the 1000-plus Chinese students and scholars at the U of M campus is the largest such group in the US. Jiang reflected that the years he spent on campus were some of the best of his life.

Picture: Vice Minister Wei Yu discuss exchange programs with President Yudof

In a separate meeting with Vice Premier Li Lanqing, who is in charge of trade and education, Li expressed confidence that China will weather the Asian economic crisis. Li reiterated the importance of the U of M in educating Chinese students. He said that his teacher, Academician Jin Shanbao (see page 3), was an alumnus of the University.

Vice Minister Wei Yu of the State Education Commission, who helped arrange the high-level meetings, was at both meetings with Jiang and Li. President Yudof met with Vice Minister Wei Yu to discuss Chinese exchange programs. Currently, University China initiatives include: IT's master degree in global manufacturing, CSOM's executive MBA and training programs, COAFES's precision farming project, and HHH's policy think tank and conference project. Wei lauded the University's initiatives and its strong linkage with Chinese institutions. She encouraged Yudof to consider including extension service education and molecular and cellular biology as cooperative programs. She said that US and China agencies have pledged their support to the extension service project. Gene transfer is an important topic in China and a consortium has been set up by several Chinese universities to perform research in this area. President Yudof extended an invitation to Vice Minister Wei Yu to visit the University.

Picture: President Yudof woth Zeng Dechao, President of UMAA Beijing Chapter

Governor Carlson and President Yudof cohosted an exciting and emotional reception. Approximately 120 U of M alumni, 50 Minnesota business representatives, and dozens of Chinese governmental and academic officials attended the event. A brief speech was given by both Carlson and Yudof, followed by the conferment of Achievement Awards to five distinguished alumni. Alumni told Yudof of their fond memories of their alma mater and their excitement for his visit. The reception concluded with Carlson and Yudof leading the attendees in singing the Minnesota Rouser.

President Yudof also visited with leaders of several exchange institutions, including President Wang Dazhong of Tsinghua University, President Hou Zixin of Nankai University, President Mao Daru of China Agricultural University, Vice President Xu Zhihong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Vice Presidents Wang Loulin and Liu Ji of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In each visit, Yudof pledged the University's commitment to continuing on-going cooperation with the institutions. Yudof also presented copies of the "Resource Directory of Faculty Linkage with China", recently completed by the China Center. The Directory documents the comprehensive exchanges by 280 U of M faculty with 160 Chinese institutions.

Picture: U of M Alumni Association (UMAA) Beijing Chapter greets delegation at airport

In summarizing his China visit, Yudof expressed satisfaction that all the major goals have been accomplished and remarked, "I am pleased that the University is able to assist and enhance Governor Carlson's trade mission to China. I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of our loyal alumni towards their alma mater. The University's good reputation has been repeatedly quoted by the Chinese political and academic leaders. I would like to encourage our faculty and colleges to build on this already strong foundation of exchanges with Chinese institutions. It is important for us to build a strong academic bridge between two of the most important countries in the world."

Chinese Experts Join History Department

The History Department is pleased to welcome Christopher Isett and Liping Wang, two new professors with specializations in Chinese history, to the department. Professor Ted Farmer, History Professor and Interim Director of the Institute of International Studies, believes that the addition of these two extremely talented people makes the University's Chinese history area the best in the country.

Christopher Isett did his graduate work at the University of California at Los Angeles in modern Chinese history, with an emphasis in economic and social history. His dissertation is a study of social and economic change on the Manchurian frontier from 1644 to 1930. In addition, his interests extend to comparative economic history and theoretical approaches to the study of economic development. He will be teaching courses in East Asian, Chinese, and comparative economic history.

Liping Wang received her B.A. (1984) and M.A. (1987) from Nanjing University in the People's Republic of China. She also worked for three years at the Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences where she did research on economic and military history of the Republican period. After coming to the U.S. in 1991, she did graduate work at the University of California at San Diego in modern Chinese history, with her emphasis on social and cultural history. Her dissertation, "Paradise for Sale: Tourism and Urban Space in the Transformation of Hangzhou, 1589-1937," is a study of the impact of modern tourism on urban development of early twentieth century China. She will be teaching courses in East Asia, Chinese urban history, and the history of traveling.

The China Center joins the History Department in welcoming these two outstanding professors to the U of M.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre to Northrop

On February 25, Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre will perform "Songs of the Wanderers" at Northrop Auditorium. The Cloud Gate company is based in Taipei. This 24-member troupe has become somewhat of a phenomenon on the international horizon, fusing Tai Chi, medita-tion, Chinese opera, modern dance and ballet into an arresting form that is unlike anything else on the stage in either the East or West. Copresented by Walker Art Center and Northrop Auditorium, the dance is at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling 624-2345.

Travel Grants Available

The China Center provides grants to support work-related travel of faculty to the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Partial travel grants toward international airfare are offered to tenured and tenured-track faculty and equivalent level professional/academic staff with official invitation for research, lecturing or teaching. Conference travel is considered for funding when it is combined with lecturing or collaborative research activities. The deadline for applications is February 16 for travel in April, May and June. Contact the China Center for more information and application materials, or visit the world wide web site at http://www.isp.acad.umn.edu/isp/funding/travelinfo.html Winter `98 travel grant were awarded to Cesar Farell of the Civil Engineering Department to conduct research at National Chung-Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan, and to Doris Calhoun of the College of Pharmacy to lecture at Beijing Medical University, Beijing.

Happy New Year!
1998 — Year of the Tiger

January 28, 1998 is the first day of the Chinese New Year. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the year of the tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, and 1986) are brave, courageous and ready for any challenge. They are adventurous, sensitive, optimistic, and playful. The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important Chinese festival. It begins on the second new moon after winter solstice. Celebrations center around the theme of increasing luck and prosperity. Locally, a number of groups will have special New Year's festivities.

A Tribute to Jin Shanbao

We regret to report that Jin Shanbao passed away on June 26, 1997. Born on July 2, 1895, Jin lived to be 102 years old, making him the oldest Chinese Alumni of the U of M. Jin graduated from Huadong University in 1927, majoring in agronomy. He came to the US to pursue his graduate education at the U of M and Cornell University. He returned to China in 1932 and taught at Zhejiang, Zhongshan, and Jiangnan Universities. He then became the dean of Nanjing College of Agriculture, the vice mayor of the city of Nanjing, and the president of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. As a pioneer in the field of agricultural science, Jin made numerous contributions in the study of wheat. He succeeded in breeding a variety that can be harvested two to three times a year, and reduced the time needed for breeding of spring wheat from ten years to three or four years.

David Pui Named ASME Fellow Professor

David Y.H. Pui, Director of the China Center, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Particle Technology Laboratory, has been named a Fellow of ASME International (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers). The Fellow grade is conferred upon a member with at least 10 years active engineering practice who has made significant contributions to the field. The 120,000-member ASME International is a worldwide engineering society focused on technical, educational and research issues.

CSOM Delegation

A Carlson School of Management (CSOM) delegation went to China to search for a top Chinese university to become a partner to CSOM and 3M China, and to explore the concept of offering joint programs such as Executive Education and an Executive MBA degree through both a Chinese university partnership and multinational companies doing business in China. The delegation consisted of Chris Nachtsheim, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, CSOM; Mahmood Zaidi, Director of International Programs, CSOM; Yijiang Wang, Associate Professor, CSOM; and Steven Pusey, Asian Manager, 3M.

China Center Hosts Holiday Reception for Chinese Student and Scholars

Chinese students, scholars and friends recently gathered at the China Center for a festive holiday reception. This well-attended event was an opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow students and scholars. Everyone enjoyed the delicious Chinese treats and holiday cheer.