China Center News

Winter 2003

EVVP Christine Maziar's Trip to China

From L-R: Sheridan, Maziar, Connie Allen, Jiang, Gene Allen and Yang

Dr. Christine Maziar, executive vice president and provost (EVPP), led a University delegation to China in October 2002. The delegation included Alfred Sullivan, vice provost for faculty and facilities; C. Eugene Allen, executive director, Office of International Programs; Judson Sheridan, associate dean, College of Biological Sciences; Hong Yang, director of the China Center; and several staff from the Global Campus, the International Service & Travel Center (ISTC), and the China Center.

EVPP Maziar attended many functions in Beijing. She co-chaired the 2nd China International Cooperation Education Conference with nearly 1,000 Chinese higher education representatives in attendance; met with the U.S. embassy staff regarding bilateral exchange and visa issues; and visited several government officials including Professor Jiang Zhenghua, vice chairman, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (pictured above); Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, vice minister of education; and Mr. Li Xueyong, vice minister of science and technology.

Maziar and others also met with Mr. Shi Shaojie, vice minister, Organization Department of CPC Beijing Committee, to discuss Beijing's future leadership training program at the University of Minnesota. During the reception hosted by Vice Minister Shi, the University delegates sang the Minnesota Rouser along with the 17 officials from the City of Beijing Municipality who completed a four-month leadership training program at the University of Minnesota from April to August 2002.

Maziar and Yang visited Tsinghua University to foster ongoing collaborative programs between the two universities. They met Professor Hu Dongcheng, vice president; Professor Wang Chengguang, dean of Law School; and others. Both Maziar and Yang also attended the Medical SchoolPresidents'/Deans' Forum on Globalization and Medical Education in Recognition of the 90th Anniversary of Peking University Health Science Center.

Allen gave a keynote speech, "Science, Education, and Globalization - Evolution of Land-Grant Universities and the Modernization of Agriculture in the United States" at the 4th International Food and Vegetable Expo in Yantai, Shangdong Province. Sullivan, Allen, Sheridan, and others visited several cities and universities in southwestern and central China to strengthen the University's ties in these regions.

University's New President Speaks on China

Robert H. Bruininks was named the 15th president of the University of Minnesota on November 8, 2002, after serving as executive vice president and provost for five years. Beginning with his initial appointment as assistant professor of educational psychology in 1968, he has been on the faculty of the University for more than 30 continuous years.

According to President Bruininks, "The University of Minnesota is fortunate to have had such a strong and lasting friendship with China and its universities since 1914. We must stay on this path, strengthening our ties through the continued exchange of students, scholars, and ideas. I am proud that we have 1,200 Chinese students studying here currently, more than any other U.S. university. As one of the largest major research institutions, we can offer Chinese students a comprehensive curriculum. We are continuing to encourage our students to study abroad in China, and we offer our faculty grants to support collaborative research with Chinese universities. I expect our exchange programs will continue to expand in the future."

The official inauguration of President Bruininks will take place on February 28, 2002.

Mingda Training Program Updates

Former U.S. Vice President Mondale and Shenzhen delegation at Dorsey & Whitney law firm

Chongqing: The China Center hosted the Chongqing Public Administration and Management Training Delegation from November 12 to 14. This delegation included government executives from various departments and districts within the Chongqing Municipality. Chongqing, formerly part of Sichuan Province, is now one of the most significant municipalities in China, containing more than thirty million residents as well as the Three Gorges Dam Project, the largest hydroelectric project in modern history. The delegation heard lectures from both University faculty and community professionals on the topic of U.S. government institutions. Through these lectures, the delegation had an opportunity to better understand the relationship between federal and local government agencies and gave them insight into policy and management principles at the local government level.

Shenzhen: From December 2 to 21, a training delegation of 27 business executives from various state-owned enterprises in Shenzhen was here to learn about business leadership. Since being partitioned off from the rest of Guandong Province as a Special Economic Zone in the early '80s, Shenzhen has grown from a small fishing village to a city of nearly five million people. Its primary industrial products include electronics, light industrial products, textiles, garments, foodstuff, building materials, machinery, and chemicals, over half of which are intended for export. During their three weeks in Minnesota the delegation had the opportunity to hear from University faculty on a variety of relevant topics, and to visit local corporations such as 3M, Medtronic, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and the St. Paul Companies.

UNDP: From December 10 to 19, 2002, a United Nations Development Project (UNDP) — Agriculture Processing Project in China Training Program for Chinese Agriculture Experts was held at the University of Minnesota. This project is managed by the Chinese Agriculture & Rural Development Center. The chief technical advisor is Dr. Frank Busta, professor in Food Science and Nutrition. University of Minnesota faculty involved in this program included Professors Roger Ruan, Vincent Fritz, H.H. Cheng, and Gene Allen. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and local food processing companies have also participated. Commissioner Gene H. Hugoson spoke to the group about Minnesota-China trade.

A School of Music Professor's China Reflections

In Fall of 1988, I spent three weeks in China teaching at the conservatories in Beijing and Shenyang. At that time I was received warmly and everything possible was done to secure my comfort. Still, it was challenging for me because the standard of living was extremely low and the teaching facilities and housing were in less-than-ideal condition...shabby and very cold.

What a difference fourteen years have made! I returned to China in October,2002, and found that Chinese conservatories have undergone enormous transformations. From north to south, new high-rise buildings have gone up. In Xi'an they are building a thousand-room practice facility. When I mentioned that to my U of M students, one responded,"If we only had TEN more!"

My reception by the faculties at each school was as warm as it had been during my previous visit. The professors attended my masterclasses from start to finish and were extremely open with me in our exchange of ideas. As with the best musicians anywhere in the world, Chinese string players are happy to have new information, a fresh point of view, and new ways to communicate traditional technical and musical ideas.

The students were tremendously savvy about current recording artists. They prize their CD's and are eager to discuss and compare performances and interpretive styles. They are also very curious about students in the U.S.. They asked about their practice habits and their attitudes. One young man voiced the fear that Chinese violinists are strong technically but lack emotional involvment with the music. I assured him that this is not a Chinese problem, it is universal and has to be dealt with in every musical environment.

In the masterclasses, I was impressed again with the students' positive attitudes and their willingness and ability to try new approaches to musical and violinistic problems. China is a part of the world in which teachers (at least the good ones!) still enjoy a level of hero-worship. This accelerates the learning process because the students' respect for the professor precludes resistance and second-guessing that could throw road-blocks into their progress.

For me, my China experience was totally edifying and I look forward to responding positively to the invitations I received to return in the near future. I am enormously grateful to the China Center for helping make it possible.

— Sally O'Reilly, Professor of Violin, School of Music

Recent Visitors and Events
September – December 2002

CAPS receptions

From September 3 to 9, a health education and management delegation visited the various medical-related schools at the U of M. The delegation was led by Mr. Zeng Jichang, president of the School of Public Health in Qiandongnan, and Mr. Chen Wenmin, deputy director of the Central Medical Education Research Society of Guizhou.

On September 23, a delegation led by Mr. Zhang Sai, chairman of the Chinese Association of Productivity Science (CAPS), visited the U of M. The delegation included two other CAPS leaders as well as two directors from the China National Bureau of Statistics. CAPS is an organization that is involved with key development and reform efforts in China - from the Yangtze River Valley to market economy reforms. CAPS has 11,000 members, 700 senior members, and 38 institutional members. The China Center hosted a reception for the delegation, attended by guests from the Minnesota Trade Office and, the University community, including Tor Dahl, former president of the World Association of Productivity Science and U of M faculty member.

Nankai Visitors at Eastcliff

From September 30 to October 1, Nankai University President Hou Zixin led a delegation of various deans to the University of Minnesota. During their stay, the group met with Executive Vice President and Provost Christine Maziar and CLA Dean Steven Rosenstone and were hosted by then-Interim-President Bruininks for a lunch at Eastcliff.

On October 11, Dr. David Aikman, a consultant on foreign policy following a 23-year career with Time magazine, gave a Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture titled " US-China Relations in the Global Context."

China Center staff hosted a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS) Oct. 20-22. The academy is the highest-level academic research institution and comprehensive research center regarding social matters in China. The delegation was lead by Mr. Gao Quanli, the vice president of CASS, and accompanied by Ms. Zhang Qiaozhi, a former Humphrey Fellow, who provided translation for the delegation. During their time here, the delegation met with a variety of University administrators to gain a clearer understanding of the logistical management at the University. They also had several opportunities to meet with various members of the China Center Advisory Council, including a welcome banquet hosted by Professor Robert Kudrle.

A group of ten medical professors and cardiovascular experts visited from China on Thursday, Nov. 14. They were at the U of M to learn more about the U.S. healthcare system and more specifically, the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

A delegation of various deans from the Beijing University of Chemistry and Technology (BUCT) visited Minnesota from Nov. 14 to 16, led by Professor Wang Fang, vice president of BUCT. The delegation was in the U.S. visiting various universities to learn more about the schools' scientific and technological strengths.

New China Center Staff and Initiative

Joab Meyer is delighted to return to the China Center in a full-time capacity as a community program specialist after working with the Executive Training Program this past summer. In addition to assisting with training programs, Joab will also work with the Global Campus to expand the Seminars Program in China. However, the bulk of Joab's work will be to develop a new program that assists U of M graduates in finding short-term career development placements in China. These paid placements will give graduates opportunities to apply their language and professional skills at entry-level positions within China-based companies. Look for more details about this program soon!

Welcome to five new CCAC Members

In an effort to broaden the impact of the China Center and the scope of its activities, the China Center Advisory Council (CCAC) unanimously approved extending its membership to include non-University members (at their last regular meeting). The CCAC welcomes Mr. Hoyt Hsiao, Mr. Kent D. Kedl, Commissioner Randy Johnson, Mr. George D. Martin and Ms. Kaimay Yuen Terry as new members.

Moreover, the CCAC is pleased to announce that Dr. Nils Hasselmo, former U of M president and current president of the American Association of Universities, has accepted the CCAC's first honorary membership.

Hoyt Hsiao is a vice president and the secretary/treasurer of Shaw-Lundquist Associates, Inc. He is actively involved in the overall business activities of the company including finance, operations, marketing, and human resources.

Kent Kedl is the director of Global Business Development for Inscape Publishing, Inc. He is responsible for developing new global distribution partnerships and market strategies. Kent has worked in and around Asia for the last thirteen years.

Randy Johnson has served as a Hennepin County Commissioner in consecutive terms since 1978. From 1997 to 1998 Commissioner Johnson was president of the National Association of Counties. Commissioner Johnson is considered an international authority on environmental issues. He has been invited to testify before Congress more often and on more issues than any elected county official in history.

George Martin is a partner in Faegre & Benson's Corporate Finance Group and chair of its Greater China Practice. He resided in Shanghai from 1995 to 1998. George's practice focuses on foreign investment and other commercial matters involving U.S. companies and the People's Republic of China.

Kaimay Yuen Terry is a Chinese American community activist in the Twin Cities. She is a former president of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota and is currently the capital campaign chair of a Home for Chinese Arts and Dance. Kaimay is the founder and owner of VideoMed®, Inc., which produces and distributes nationwide patient education video programs.

The China Center staff is looking forward to working with these new members and knows that their individual expertise and counsel will greatly enhance our programmatic efforts. We are also proud to note that Hsiao, Kedl, and Johnson are all alumni of the University of Minnesota!

Congratulations to Mahmood Zaidi

Congratulations to Mahmood Zaidi, CCAC member and director of CSOM International Programs Office, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Graduate School of Business Administration in Zurich, Switerzerland!