The Confucius Institute at Rhodes University will be holding a variety of exciting events in celebration of China Week from 28 September to 2 October.
China, with its modern and towering skylines on the one hand, and its ancient and awe-inspiring World Heritage sites on the other, is a country of intense cultural variety. Chinese Studies and the Confucius Institute were introduced into Rhodes University this year and since its inception the course has flourished beyond expectations.
The week’s program, co-sponsored by Hanban, Rhodes and Jinan University (China) deals with current topical issues about China, from migration studies, to the economic impact of China, and student experiences of a cultural exchange tour.
Central to the week’s events is a colloquium on China-Africa Economic Relations. For those interested in economics and the impact of China on Africa, there will be lectures by guests from Jinan University (China), Standard Chartered Bank, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Trade Law Centre of Southern Africa, amongst others. The talks will run daily at 13:15 and 17:15. in Eden Grove Seminar Room 1 (except Friday, which is in Eden Grove Seminar Room 2).
Professor Roger Southall from Wits will speak about "Locating Chinese Engagement in the New Scramble for Africa". Rajith Sebastian from Standard Chartered Bank will talk on "The Implications of the Global Financial Crisis for China's Engagement with Africa".
Sanusha Naidu of the China in Africa Programme (FAHAMU – Networks for Social Justice) will speak about "China and the New World Economic Order in Comparison to Other Emerging Actors Such as Brazil and India: similarities and differences vis a vis Africa". This will be followed by a panel discussion: "China and a New World Order" led by Naidu, Prof Southall, Prof Mei Linhai (Jinan University) and David Fryer (Rhodes).
Prof. Tang Yuhua (Jinan University) will speak about "China's Outbound Direct Investment in Africa" followed by Dr Sandrey on "The Role of Technology in the Rise of Chinese Agriculture and the Lessons for Africa" by Dr. Ron Sandrey. Prof Yuhua will close the Thursday proceedings with "A Review of and Outlook for China's Economic Assistance to Africa" followed by Hayley Herman (Stellenbosch) on "China's Development Assistance in Africa".
On Friday Dr Sandrey will speak about "The China-Africa Merchandise Trading Relationship". This will be followed by two consecutive addresses by Wamkele Mene of the Department of Trade and Industry on "China's Impact on Regional Integration in Southern Africa" "WTO Negotiations on Trade in Services: What Role has China played since Accession?"
The China Week Programme and Abstracts is available here
Please refer to the website for the abstracts and author biographies
In addition to the colloquium, Dr. Yoon Jung Park, a senior researcher at the Centre for Sociological Studies at the University of Johannesburg and the convener/coordinator of the Chinese in Africa/Africans in China (CA/AC) International Research Working Group, will give a public lecture entitled "Faces of China in South Africa: New Chinese Migration to the Southern Tip of Africa, 1970s to the present" on Thursday 1 October in Eden Grove Blue.
Abstract:
Different types of migrants (temporary contract laborers, managers, entrepreneurs, and traders) have migrated from both Taiwan and mainland China to various regions of southern Africa since the late 1970s, but in increasing numbers in the past five to ten years. Some of these Chinese migrants have been in Africa now for over two decades, and become permanent residents or even citizens of their African host countries. In South Africa there is also an "indigenous" Chinese South African community with roots going back to the late 1860s. In South Africa alone, it is estimated that there are over 350,000 people of Chinese descent; nearly half of the estimated number of Chinese on the African continent. In addition, there are increasing (albeit much smaller) numbers of migrants from Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia as well as Asians from Western countries. Often, however, all of these different people are seen as one, painted with one brush in a single stroke.
The poor labor record of Taiwanese factories of the 1980s and 1990s is blamed, broadly, on all Chinese. When Chinese South Africans won their case in a Pretoria High Court to be recognized as previously disadvantaged, government officials and black business associations cry foul, because “Chinese don’t even speak English”, again, conflating the newer Chinese immigrants with the second-, third-, and fourth-generation South Africans of Chinese descent. Based on research on newer Chinese immigrant communities, this paper attempts to break down the predominant stereotype that all Chinese in South Africa are the same. The paper describes the various ‘waves’ of Chinese migration and attempts to draw some distinctions between groups based on place origin, language, class, and length of stay in the country. The paper argues that there are many “faces of China” represented here on the southern tip of Africa.
Other events planned for the week include the Rhodes-Jinan photographic exhibition. Comprising 80 photographs, this exhibition is the product of an exchange program between Rhodes University and Jinan University in Guangdong Province, China.
Two students from Jinan, Luo Fang and Qiu Xiangmin, visited South Africa in July 2009 and spent 10 days touring the Eastern Cape. They were hosted by two Rhodes Photojournalism students, Sophie Marcus and Sarah Schäfer. This September, Sophie and Sarah spent time in China, hosted by Luo Fang and Qiu Xiangmin, and have been looking at life in Guangdong Province.
Each student has chosen 20 photographs highlighting what she found most interesting or stimulating about her experience in the visited country. The exhibition will be launched on Monday 28 September and will be up all week in the Africa Media Matrix Foyer.
During the mid-year vacation, 15 students of the Confucius Institute at Rhodes were taken on a tour of China. The complimentary trip was offered to the students in return for their efforts and achievements in the Chinese Studies course. The group travelled through Beijing, Xi’an, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, experiencing a three-week cultural and study tour. Some of these students will share their experiences of China in a presentation on Tuesday 29 September at 14:30 in Barratt Lecture Theatre 3.
There will also be a series of fine arts workshops presented by lecturers from Jinan University during the week. On Tuesday 29 September Ms. Luo Xiaoying will give a presentation on Chinese characters. On Wednesday 30 September Mr. Zhu Guiming will give a presentation on Chinese calligraphy. On Thursday 1 October Mr. Wang Jinshan will give a presentation on Chinese painting. All workshops will be given in the Eden Grove Exhibition area at 17:30.
For more info, please visit the website: www.ru.ac.za/confuciusinstitute
If you have any queries, please contact Kelly Hamilton at k.hamilton@ru.ac.za
Tel: + 27 (0)46 6038656
Fax: + 27 (0)46 6038209
E-mail: internationaloffice@ru.ac.za
About the Confucius Institute at Rhodes
On the basis of a general agreement between Confucius Institutes Headquarters and Rhodes University, signed in 2007 at the 2nd Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing, Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, was invited as a partner university to participate in the establishment of Confucius Institute at Rhodes University, through a binding supplementary agreement. Both universities share a lot in common despite of the geographic distances. Rhodes University, established in 1904, and Jinan University, established in 1906, both have a history of over 100 years.
In August 2008, Confucius Institute at Rhodes University launched the first China Week, to pave the way for the intended first year Chinese course at Rhodes University in 2009 academic year.