【31st Talk】Prof. Dr. Li Qirong: “The Role of Overseas Chinese as a Bridge and Link in Sino-French Friendly Relations”
Upcoming Event
|
Introduction |
The thirty-first talk of the “Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series” will take place soon. This talk features Prof. Li Qirong from The Central China Normal University as main speaker. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Overseas Chinese in France have worked diligently and achieved significant progress in their careers. They have played a crucial role in fostering friendly relations between China and France. During World War I, 140,000 Chinese laborers joined the allied forces in France, with nearly 10,000 sacrificing their lives. After the war, 3,000 of these laborers settled in France, becoming the first group of Chinese expatriates in the country. These overseas Chinese have shown immense dedication and a deep sense of home and country. Chinese settlers in France strive not only for economic success but also for the full enjoyment of their civil rights and the fulfillment of their civic duties. They actively participate in local political life as engaged citizens. Furthermore, overseas Chinese serve as bridges and messengers of Sino-French cultural exchange. They vigorously promote Chinese education, organize Sino-French exchange forums, spread Chinese culinary traditions, foster friendship through cultural festivals, and publish bilingual publications to share traditional Chinese martial arts and culture. In this lecture, Prof. Li will share insights on the role of overseas Chinese in Sino-French relations. |
|
Speaker |
Prof. Li Qirong Prof. Li Qirong is a professor at the International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies Center at Huazhong Normal University. He is also the founding director of the Wuhan Base for Theoretical Research on Overseas Chinese Affairs, a collaboration between the Wuhan Overseas Chinese Affairs Theory Research Center and the Central United Front Work Department / State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. He has previously served as a distinguished professor at Lishui University, the dean of the Overseas Chinese College, and a member of the academic committee. Currently, he is a distinguished professor at the Guangxi ASEAN College and the China-ASEAN Regional and National Studies Institute. Professor Li is an expert reviewer for national social science foundation projects and Ministry of Education projects, as well as a thesis reviewer for the Ministry of Education's Degree Center. He is also the vice president of the Chinese Society for World Ethnology, a special commentator for International Migration Review in the United States, and an academic advisor for the 100-episode documentary Chinatown produced by Hong Kong Phoenix TV (which won the Special Award at the China Documentary Academic Awards). He is also an academic advisor for the Baguo Overseas Chinese Journal. In 2022, he guided 15 sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on the topic of "Research on the National Sentiment and Cultural Identity of Overseas Chinese." Professor Li has lectured, conducted research, and engaged in academic exchanges at various institutions including Harvard University, the University of Minnesota, the University of California, San Diego, the University of British Columbia in Canada, the University of Edinburgh in the UK, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, University of Malaya, Ramkhamhaeng University, Southern University College, New Era College, Seoul National University, Kyung Hee University, universities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries and regions. His main research focus is on international migration and the studies of overseas Chinese. He has led 17 projects at or above the provincial and ministerial level, including national social science fund projects, Ministry of Education projects, and projects from the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. He has published 30 books and more than 200 research papers. His representative works include International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies, International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies: Sequel, International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies: Volume III, and International Migration Policies and Governance. He has received more than 10 teaching and research awards from the Ministry of Education and other provincial and ministerial-level institutions. |
|
Moderator |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey (Associate Professor in the Department of Education at New Era University College) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey holds a Ph.D. in Education from Central China Normal University. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Education at New Era University College and serves as a supervisor for both master’s and doctoral students. She is also the editor-in-chief of the academic journal Education and Teaching Research. Her main research interests include curriculum and instruction, teacher education, education and social culture, as well as Chinese and Chinese language education. She has edited works such as Theories and Practices of Chinese Language Teaching in Malaysia, Special Issue on Chinese Language Teaching for the 10th Anniversary of the Department of Education at New Era University College, Chinese Language Teaching and Research, and Chinese Education and Instruction. Dr. Wong has published numerous academic papers in prominent national and international journals, publications, and at international academic conferences. Additionally, she has delivered many Chinese-language presentations abroad and conducted over 100 in-service teacher training courses and lectures in China. |
|
Information |
Date:17 July 2024 (Wednesday) |
Trailer (Video)
Lecture Postscript
The 31st session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 17 July. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Dr. Li Qirong from Central China Normal University. This lecture was titled “The Role of Overseas Chinese as a Bridge and Link in Sino-French Friendly Relations”. It was attended by more than 100 people.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong, is a professor at the Center for International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies at Central China Normal University. He is the founding director of the Wuhan Research Center for Overseas Chinese Affairs and the Research Base for Overseas Chinese Affairs Theories of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Professor Li has also served as a distinguished professor at Lishui University, dean of the Overseas Chinese College, and a member of the academic committee. Currently, he is a distinguished professor at the Guangxi ASEAN College and the China-ASEAN Regional and Country Studies Institute. He has lectured, conducted research, and participated in academic exchanges at institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Copenhagen, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Malaya. His primary research fields are international migration and overseas Chinese studies.
In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong approached the topic from a historical perspective, using broad viewpoints and vivid examples to explain his research focus on the role of overseas Chinese as a bridge in Sino-French relations. He provided a rich and insightful academic presentation. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.
