SUMMER 2014 Issue 27
Dominique de Villepin Asia’s Leading Role in a Global Financial Reform P18
Xi Jinping Visited Peking University 04 | on Chinese Youth Day Celso Lafer Strengthen Ties 14 | in Scientific Collaboration Tan Chorh Chuan The Importance of 21 | a University’s Culture
PEKING UNIVERSITY
SUMMER 2014 Issue 27
Contents
02 Spotlight A Spiritual Feast for Science: Brazil-China Scientific Symposium...... 02 President Xi Jinping Visited Peking University on Chinese Youth Day...... 04 The Future of the Research University in the Age of Globalization —Innovations in Talent Cultivation...... 06 Launch of Yenching Academy...... 07 08 Academic PKU Holded Forum Themed “China and Egypt—the Global Relationship and the Road of Development” in Cairo, Egypt...... 08 NYU‘s Leading Psychologists Visited Peking University Sixth Hospital...... 08 PKU Wins Awards in the 42nd Geneva’s International Exhibition of Inventions.....09 Nature: High-Throughput Screening of a CRISPR/Cas9 Library Editorial Board for Functional Genomics in Human Cells...... 09 Advisor: Li Yansong, Vice President PKU Researcher Discovered Unique Pair of Hidden Black Holes...... 10 for International Relations PKU Research Team Led by Prof. Chen Xing and Prof. Huang Yanyi Chair: Xia Hongwei, Director, Developed New Live-Cell Imaging Method...... 11 Office of International Relations PKU Professor Awarded 2013 Okawa Foundation Research Grant ...... 12 Vice-Chair: Yan Jun, Zheng Ruqing, Wang Yong, Achievements in Research on Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Published by ES&T.....12 Prof. Xiao Ruiping Appointed Associate Editor of New England Journal of Medicine...... 13 Li Hongquan, Kang Tao Coordinator: Luo Ling, He Yicheng 14 People Designer: He You Celso Lafer: Strengthen Ties in Scentific Collaboration...... 14 Dr. Marc Lanteigne: A China Hand from the West...... 15 Editorial Team: Heng Kang Wei, Wang Qingyu, Dr. Zhang Chao: Researching on “Smart Tags”...... 17 Liu Yiping, Yang Linhan, Li Feiyue, Zhou Jin, Guo Danyang, Chia Waikian, Zhang Kexin, 18 Voice Liu Zhaozhen, Lewis Won Dominique de Villepin: Asia’s Leading Role in a Global Financial Reform...... 18 On Cross Cultural Exchanges between Universities: Interview with the Vice Principal International of University of Edinburgh...... 20 Photo: Wang Wenquan, Wang Tiantian Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan: The Importance of a University’s Culture...... 21 On Research and International Partnership: Peking University Newsletter is a publication Interview with the Vice President of UBC...... 23 for alumni and friends of Peking University Leading to Greater Heights: President of HKU Prof. Peter Mathieson...... 25 and is produced by the Office of International Relations (OIR). Please feel free to suggest ideas 26 International Collaboration for us to explore in future issues, or suggestion Higher Education Planning in Asia Conference 2014 held at PKU...... 26 about ways we can improve the publication. PKU-Initiated International Consortium of Chinese Studies Set Sail...... 26 PKU Signed Agreement with the University of Melbourne on Collaboration in Psychiatry Research and Training...... 27 Contact Us Address: Office of International Relations 28 Campus Peking University, 100871 International Youth Classical Drama Festival...... 28 Beijing, P.R. China 2014 Peking University Top Ten Singers...... 29 Phone: +86-10-6275-1246 ext. 316 Producers of “A Bite of China” Visit Peking University...... 30 Fax: +86-10-6275-1240 Campus Dramas: “Pure Literature in Film Era” ...... 31 Email: [email protected] Guardian Angels of PKU’s Stray Cats...... 33 Turning the Wheel of Seasons: The 2nd Annual Show by the PKU Dance Sport Association...... 35 Newsletter Online The Newsletter can be read online at: 37 Column www.oir.pku.edu.cn At the Forefront of News: “Newsletter” Editor-in-Chief, Heng Kang Wei...... 37 Hugging for Sino-Japanese Friendship: The views expressed in this publication are the Founded by Japanese Exchange Students of Peking University...... 38 views of the authors and do not necessarily My Experience at Waseda University: The Same Japan, the Different Feelings...... 39 reflect the views of the Editorial Board. 41 Giving Establishment of Tang Lixin Educational Fund...... 41 Hong Kong Bai Xian Educational Fund Donated to Yenching Academy...... 41 Spotlight
A Spiritual Feast for Science: Brazil-China Scientific Symposium Yuan Yating
rom April16th to 18th, the Brazil- China Scientific Symposium was F successfully held at Yingjie Ex- change Center of PKU. The symposium saw the attendance of over 50 scientific elites from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, China Ag- ricultural University, Chinese Universi- ty of Hong Kong, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo State University, and University of Campinas. The sympo- sium, sponsored by both the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and Pe- king University (PKU), mainly focused on expanding the relationship between researchers from the state of São Paulo and researchers from several academic and research institutions in China, for the purpose of promoting joint studies that could benefit the people of both researchers, deepening international made on the investments of human countries . research cooperation. capital and the development theory, in- On April 16th, Professor Wang Enge, The symposium consisted of several cluding that of the Solow model. Sev- President of Peking University, at- parallel sessions, and the topics rang- eral examples of technological changes tended the opening ceremony, together ing from materials, nano-technology, in agriculture, and estimates of TFP with Professor Celso Lafer, President medical science to life sciences. In and social returns to agricultural re- of FAPESP, Valdemar Carneiro Leão, each session, the researchers delivered search and extensions were also raised. Brazilian Ambassador to China, and speeches on their latest study, and par- Professor Paulo Araújo stressed the im- Fang Jun, Deputy Director General ticipated in discussions with other at- portance of the coordination of capital of the Department of International tendees subsequently. and agriculture, which can make the Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry agricultural production more efficient. of Education of China. Their speeches The session closed with ending re- focused on the significant role of sci- Business and Agriculture marks that focused on the development entific researches in the ever-changing of future projects, and mutual benefits world today. They also touched on Professor Paulo Araújo, from the concerning technology and agricultural the brilliant prospect of scientific col- Luiz de Queiroz Agricultural College in economy. laboration between the two countries. Brazil, led the session in the field of ag- Both Professor Wang Enge and Profes- ricultural and applied economics. His sor Celso Lafer expressed their convic- sharing started with a short summary Water Sources in Forest Requires Attention tion that in such a symposium, where of the Brazilian economy, in particular ideas have the opportunity to clash the increasingly developing models of Mountainous areas are important and ignite, it would further expand un- agribusiness in Brazil. for both forestry and providing water derstanding among these outstanding During the session, comments were supply to dry landlocked regions that
02 Peking University Newsletter natural regeneration due to a strict log- ing in the future scenario of climatic ging ban policy. changes. Based on this, Professor Wang For many years, Professor Marcos Yanhui and his group managed to de- Buckeridge has been working on how velop a practical approach for multi- to integrate the knowledge of physical, functional forest (MFF) management, molecular and biochemical features with the water aspect taken into con- of plants to explain their behaviors. In sideration. They integrated existing addition, his group studied the integra- knowledge and experiences and con- tive responses of crop species to the ceived an “ideal” MFF structure and elevation of atmospheric carbon diox- its key parameters. ide, temperature and drought, which Moreover, a decision-making pro- is helpful to forecast plant behavior cess for management planning was under changing environmental condi- recommended through the following 5 tions. steps: In his presentation, he used sugar- 1) Investigating the site’s quality cane as a case study, showing results 2) Identifying the site-specific on the whole plant physiology-metab- main forest functions olism-transcription integration under 3) Quantifying the structure environmental stresses such as elevated 4) Diagnosing the structure by carbon dioxide level and drought. comparing with the “ideal” one 5) Arranging the functions/structure- The Brazil-China scientific sym- oriented management measures posium is the first event that FAPESP In this way, as they presented, water chose to hold in China. At the end supply and forest development can be of the symposium, there is a consoli- balanced in the process of creating a dated consensus that it was a grand harmonious environment. meeting for minds. It is expected that the spirit of exploring, individual thinking and objective commenting Plants: Play a Key Role in Climate Changes exhibited in the symposium will spread to other areas of cooperation have a high erosion risk and water The requirement for food and re- between the two countries, and lead shortage. Large-scale afforestation de- newable energy production on the us to a brighter future. signed mainly for erosion control was planet will demand a massive increase implemented during the last decade in in plant biomass by 2040. From this arid regions of north and northwestern perspective, understanding how plants China. But dense forests may result function will be essential for designing in negative impacts on the water and future strategies of plant bioengineer- >>São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Established in 1962, the São Paulo Science Foundation (FAPESP) is among Brazil’s most important science and technology research- sponsoring agencies. Maintained by the trans- fer of 1% of the state’s total tax revenue, the Foundation operates directly with the scientific community of São Paulo State in all fields, fund- ing research proposals selected on the basis peer review, a methodology that utilizes opin- ions issued by Brazilian and foreign researchers as the basis for project financing decisions.
Professor Celso Lafer(left), President Wang Enge(middle) and Ambassador Valdemar Carneiro Leão(right)
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 03 Spotlight
ter. President Xi then enquired about President Xi Jinping the new technical researches on fetal genetic disease screening and early Visits Peking University diagnosis of cancer. President Xi en- couraged the researchers to continue on Chinese Youth Day with their efforts and challenge them- Yang Linhan selves to come up with innovative idea. Fellow of the American Acad- emy of Arts and Science, and visiting Professor to the Center Xie Xiaoliang told President Xi that he determined n May 4th, which marks the dent Xi gave high praises for PKU’s to return homeland to conduct full- Youth Day in China, Xi Jin- fruitful results in the aspect of the time research, and brought back his O ping, President of China, vis- inheritance and spread of Chinese own research team so as to appeal ited Peking University. In his speech, traditional culture. to more excellent talents to return to he emphasized that youth today must On the northern side of the ex- China. President Xi remarked that at work hard and strive for virtues. The hibition hall lies a quiet yard, from this point of development process, virtues that President Xi emphasized where famous philosopher Tang China requires a lot of talented re- include the ability to discern truth Yijie, at the age of 87, came out to searchers to engine its progress. The and false, honesty and sincerity. welcome President Xi Jinping. The Chinese government will continue to Armed with these values, President President walked quickly towards distribute the best resources in order Xi hopes the youth today can spear- him and had a cordial conversation to develop their abilities, helping head the effort to spread these values with professor Tang Yijie, during them to realize their dreams while to the rest of the society. This would which professor Tang introduced his giving them the opportunity to serve allow them to seek their enrichment current work, the compilation of a se- the nation. and role in society, and lead the way ries of books related to the studies of for the realization for the Chinese Chinese ancient civilization Ruzang. dream. President Xi recognized the hardship Youth Poetry Recital at the Jingyuan and the difficulties in undertaking Courtyard such a project, and praised his spirit A Visit to the School of Humanities at PKU of pursuing scholarly work. Address- Leaving the laboratory, President ing the teachers and students, Presi- Xi then proceeded to the Jingyuan With the famous Weimin Lake and dent Xi indicated that philosophy, Courtyard, where a poetry recital is ancient Boya Tower, Yanyuan, the history and literature are a necessity being held in commemoration of the campus of Peking University, is stun- to propel China’s reform. In doing 95th anniversary of the May Fourth ningly beautiful in the early spring, literary and historical research, the Movement, which was led by Peking painting a wonderful background for focus should be on people’s spiritual University students in 1919. At the trees and flowers. At 9 in the morn- world, a positive reaction towards sight of the President, teachers and ing, President Xi Jinping arrived at society, and a heart to help people students gave Xi warm welcome with the campus, and was welcomed by better know about themselves and applause. Dressed in school uniforms Zhu Shanlu, Chairman of the PKU the world. This is the kind of social that students wore in 1919, student Council, and Professor Wang Enge, responsibilities that today’s academic representatives recited two pieces of President of PKU. They first arrived researchers must shoulder. poetry titled Listen to Youth and Qin- at the College of Humanities, and gyuanchun Changsha, in which the lat- visited an achievement exhibition of ter one was written by Chairman Mao the humanities and social sciences A Talk with Fellow of Prof. Xie Xiaoliang Zedong. The recital was accompanied of PKU. The exhibition displayed in BIOPIC by a soft violin melody. President significant academic achievements in Xi enjoyed the engaging recitation, the fields of literature, history, phi- Founded in 2010, the Biodynamic and interacted with the participating losophy and archaeology, as well as Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC) uti- teachers and students, acclaiming important literatures in libraries of lizes the most advanced bio-imaging their confident reciting with strong PKU. President Xi Jinping inquired and gene sequencing technologies to historical responsibilities and pride. in detail about the development of conduct research in the field of life President Xi expressed his hope that the disciplines of humanities and science and basic medicine. President they can keep up with the times, and social sciences from Professors Ma Xi visited the center and was given a continue to create original and beau- Keyao and Yuan Xingpei. Presi- presentation on the work of the cen- tiful poems.
04 Peking University Newsletter It is very important to pay special attention to developing values in this critical period. President Xi (Right) Talking with Students and Teachers at the Jingyuan Courtyard
President Xi’s Speech at the Yingjie pecially when youth is in the period the government had made building Exchange Center of formation and establishment of world-class universities as one of its values. President Xi emphasized, strategic goals. The government will At 10:40 a.m., President Xi arrived “Therefore it is very important to continue to deepen reforms in the at the Yingjie Exchange Center to pay special attention to developing education system. Furthermore, he participate in a forum with selected values in this critical period. It’s stressed that the world-class universi- teachers and students. The university like wearing clothes or buttoning ties must have Chinese characteristics. leaders and representatives of teach- up. If the first button is wrong, the Therefore, governments at all levels ers and students first delivered their rest of the buttons will be wrong. should attach great importance to the speeches, to which President Xi lis- Life needs to be buttoned up right work of colleges and universities, and tened, took notes, and clarified about from the start. Core values aren’t always be concerned with student de- information. formed in a day. We should insist velopment. “There is a must to com- Having heard of the comments on doing from easy to difficult and prehensively deepen reform, build a made by PKU teachers and students, from near to far, in order to turn fair and just social environment, and President Xi then took to the stage the requirements of the core val- constantly arouse the youth’s vitality to deliver his speech. He pointed out ues into daily code of conduct and and creativity. We should strengthen that contemporary university students consciously pursued belief. Young service system construction of em- are reliable, valuable and capable. people should nurture socialist core ployment and innovation, support Each generation has their own unique values, discernment and probity, students to take the first step to so- opportunities and challenges, and make efforts to attain true knowl- ciety. Teachers bear the most solemn they should plan their life in order to edge, strengthen moral cultivation, and sacred mission, and they need to write their history under current con- pay attention to moral practice, be- keep in mind the mission of teach- ditions. Youth is the most sensitive come good at distinguishing right ing, and guide students with personal barometer of times, to whom bestows and wrong, and be good at making charisma.” the responsibility of time, and to decisive choice. And they need to The speech in the forum caused a whom belongs to the glory of time. work in a down-to-earth manner strong resonance among teachers and The best commemoration to the May and to build themselves the stead- students, who expressed that they will Fourth Movement for youth today is fast persons, who are determined to endeavor to live up to the President’s to forge ahead to make contributions serve the country, serve the people, expectation. and to shoulder the historical mis- and exert themselves to do some Leaving Peking University, President sion of development of the country. real things. In a word, their knowl- Xi was surrounded by enthusiastic President Xi also stressed that the edge and action should go hand in teachers and students rushed to greet role which youth play in shaping hand.” him. The youth vitality, like fire, surged the future of society as a whole, es- President Xi also stressed that at the PKU campus in spring.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 05 Spotlight
Talent Cultivation” and “International The Future of Collaboration: New Modes for Innova- tions in Talent Cultivation”. the Research University The first session was hosted by Professor Ronald Gronsky, Special in the Age of Globalization Faculty Assistant to the Chancellor —Innovations in Talent Cultivation for International Relations, Univer- sity of California Berkeley. During Heng Kang Wei the session, Professor Henry Yang, n International Forum with the University, National University of Sin- Presidentof University of California theme of “the Future of the Re- gapore, Melbourne University, Hong Santa Barbara, Professor Klaus Beck, A search University in the Age of Kong University and Taiwan University Vice President of Free University of Globalization—Innovations in Talent also sent representatives to attend the Berlin, Professor Ian Solomon, Vice Cultivation” was held at Peking Uni- Forum. President of University of Chicago, versity on May 5th, 2014 at the Yingjie During the opening ceremony of and Professor John Hepburn, Vice Exchange Center. The forum attracted the Forum, Professor Wang Enge, Presi- President of University of British more than 30 Presidents and Vice Pres- dent of PKU, expressed his warmest Columbia shared their experience in idents from various universities across welcome to the representatives of the talent cultivation respectively, and the globe. universities. In his speech, Professor suggested innovative measures with a Representatives of 46 universities Wang emphasized the importance of global outlook. came from Mainland China, Hong interaction and communication be- During the second session with Kong, Taiwan, United States of Amer- tween universities from all over the the topic of “Institutions and Tech- ica, Canada, United Kingdom, Ger- world. Strengthening ties and promot- niques: New Dimensions of Innova- many, Belgium, Mexico, South Africa, ing cooperation between universities tions in Talent Cultivation”, Profes- New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Korea from different countries is fundamental sor Tan Chorh Chuan, President of and Vietnam. Notable attendees from towards cultivating high quality talents the National University of Singapore Mainland China include scholars from with a truly global perspective, which summarised and shared with the at- Peking University, Fudan University, is also a key goal for any institute of tendees of the lessons he had learned Renmin University of China, Beijing higher learning. from the institutional reforms con- Normal University, Zhejiang Univer- Li Yansong, Vice President of PKU, ducted by NUS. The last session with sity, Wuhan University and Zhongshan was the host of the forum. The rep- the topic of “International Collabo- University. resentatives from various universities ration: New Modes for Innovations Renowned overseas universities in- then discussed under 3 main topics, in Talent Cultivation” was hosted by cluding Stanford University, Chicago namely “Visions and Strategies: New Professor Steve Hillier, Vice Presi- University, University of California, Paths for Innovations in Talent Cultiva- dent of the University of Edinburgh. Berkeley, London School of Econom- tion”, ”Institutions and Techniques: During this session, Professor Stuart ics, Free University of Berlin, Tokyo New Dimensions of Innovations in Corbridge, Provost and Executive Vice President of the London School of Economics and Political Sci- ence, evaluated how technological improvements have brought about new standards and methods in the cooperation between universities of different countries. At the end of the forum, representatives from the different universities also took the opportunity to discuss the ways to further enhance interaction between schools and the ways to provide stu- dents with exposure to other cultures. Overall, the forum provided an important platform for universities all over the world to reflect upon past practices and the outlook for new and innovative methods, and reform for talent cultivation.
06 Peking University Newsletter Launch of Yenching Academy Heng Kang Wei
eking University will be offering a new Master program in Chinese P Studies, aimed at cultivating talents with an overall knowledge and under- standing of China, with the launch of Yenching Academy. The Master program will take advantage of the quality resources in academic areas of humanities and social sciences of PKU. gratulatory letter from Mr. Ban Ki Moon, and 20 visiting senior fellows with world- On the Afternoon of May 5th, 2014, the Secretary General of the United Nations. wide recognition. With the diversity of ceremony marking the launch of Yenching Representing the Yenching Academy Advi- academic backgrounds, research expertise Academy was officially held at Yingjie Ex- sory Board, Presidents of the University of and experience, they will provide a com- change Center of PKU. The ceremony was California at San Babara and Nankai Uni- prehensive and unique perspective to the preceded by the International Forum on versity then shared their visions for Yench- students. Cultivating Innovative Talents. ing Academy. The 6 key component of the syllabus The launching ceremony saw the atten- After the end of the addresses, the of- of Yenching Academy will be as followed: dance of representatives and delegations ficial inauguration ceremony of Yenching “Philosophy and Religion”, “Literature from forty five colleges and universities all Academy took place. Zhu Shanlu, Chair- and Culture”, “History and Archaeology”, over the world, including Stanford Univer- man of the PKU Council, President Wang “Public Policy and International Rela- sity, the University of Chicago, the London Enge, Alumni representative, donors and tions”, “Economics and Management”, School of Economics and Political Science, a representative of the Presidents of the and “Law and Institutions”. This seeks to National University of Singapore, Fudan other universities in attendance walked provide students with a comprehensive University,etc. In addition, renowned on the stage and unveiled the logo of the understanding of China and the Chinese experts and scholars in the fields of hu- Academy. The guests were then treated by a society, including issues and problems sur- manities and social sciences from Peking performance of classical Chinese and West- rounding the country in its development. University were also present. Joining them ern music performed by the performance The students will earn a master’s degree also included alumni representatives and art societies of PKU and student represen- in Chinese Studies through the one-year other figures from different sectors of the tatives from Stanford University, and led by program. The first batch of 100 students community. Professor Cai Jindong, a visiting scholar to will be enrolled in the autumn semester During the ceremony, Professor Wang PKU from Stanford University. of 2015. This will include 65 overseas stu- Enge, President of PKU, delivered the With the launch of the Yenching Acad- dents, including those from Hong Kong, opening address, in which he remarked emy, Peking University hopes to establish Macao and Taiwan. The remaining 35 will that the academy is the “most ambitious a world leading academy in the field of come from Chinese mainland. Peking academic initiative PKU has launched China Studies. Yenching Academy will ad- University will provide Yenching Academy since the turn of the new century”. It is an vocate interdisciplinary research, with the graduate students with full scholarships. innovative research center seeks to cultivate focus of providing world-class education In addition, Yenching Academy will be a world leaders who will make a difference in the humanities and social sciences that residential college where students and fac- in the world. Its mission is to develop Chi- draws from pluralistic perspectives as its ulty members will be provided with more nese Studies in global and interdisciplinary core research and educational goal. Under opportunity for discussion and interaction. contexts and to advance innovation in the context of globalization, the Yench- Beyond academic resources, the Yenching basic research while tackle with the most ing Academy is designed to gather a truly Academy is also equipped with a dedicated challenging questions facing the world to- globalized team of leading academics and Career Development and Alumni Service day. students, who will be part of this world- Office. This will guide students in career Professor Liu Wei, Executive Vice Presi- leading center of Chinese study. planning, training and placement after the dent of PKU, then introduced the Yenching The faculty consists of a collection of one-year program at Yenching. This will Academy to all the attendees. After that, illustrious scholars—20 internationally re- also help scholars integrate into the net- Vice President Li Yansong read a con- puted scholars, 30 influential PKU scholars work of PKU alumni around the globe.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 07 Academic
PKU Holded Forum Themed “China and Egypt ——the Global Relationship and the Road of Development” in Cairo, Egypt Cui Yahui
n March 15th, 2014, a forum School of Global Affairs and Public Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Profes- under the theme of “China and Policy (GAPP) attended the opening sor Li Anshan, Director of African Center, O Egypt—— the Global Relation- ceremony and delivered speeches, in PKU, all shared their opinions towards ship and the Road of Development”, which they expressed their hope of a China’s foreign policy in the Middle East co-organized by Peking University and strengthened bilateral cooperation. and Africa. Cairo University, was held in Cairo, The forum consisted of three ses- The second session consisted of the Egypt. More than fifty scholars from re- sions, which are under the topics of discussions among relevant attendees on nowned universities including Peking “China’s foreign policy in the Middle China’s economic reform and education- University, American University in East and Africa”, “Development in al system reform, and the development Cairo and Cairo University participated China and Egypt”, and “The Future of model of Egypt. Professor Mustapha Ka- in the forum. China-Egypt relations”. mel Al-Sayyid from Cairo University and Lisa Anderson, President of The During the first session, Hua Liming, American University in Cairo also made American University in Cairo (AUC), Former Ambassador of China to Iran, the comments on the topic. Li Yansong, Vice President of PKU, and UAE and the Netherlands, Ahmed Ismail For the third session, Professor Laila El-Baradei, Acting Dean of the Abdel Moaty, Director of Asian Region, Magda Saleh, Director of Asia Research Center in Cairo University, and Profes- sor Wu Bingbing, Director of Arabian and Islam Culture Research Center, PKU, both delivered speeches about their views on the future of China- Egypt relations. Attendees hoped to strengthen co- research of scholars from both univer- sities and conduct in-depth discussion on the experience of China’s economic development, cooperation model be- tween China and other African coun- tries, and China’s support for Egyptian agriculture.
NYU’s Leading Psychologists Visited Peking University Sixth Hospital Cui Yahui
n March 17th, 2014, under the chology, New York University visited sor Lu Lin, who first expressed his invitation of Professor Lu Lin, Peking University Sixth Hospital. She appreciation to the visit of Professor O Director of Peking University delivered an academic report at the Phelps. Professor Lu Lin also gave Sixth Hospital, Professor Elizabeth A. Yingkui Hall at the hospital. a brief introduction of Professor Phelps from the Department of Psy- The lecture was hosted by Profes- Phelps’s academic experience and
08 Peking University Newsletter achievements. storage and expression of the fear Professor Phelps is a renowned memory. She also vividly depicted her expert in fields of psychology and research on fear learning, and its roles neuroscience. Obtained her PhD in and implications in the human soci- psychology at Princeton University ety. To find better ways to change fear in 1989, she is currently the Silver memory, Professor Phelps’ research professor of New York University. team has conducted deeper explora- She was elected fellow of the Ameri- tion. She stressed the importance of can Academy of Arts and Sciences in targeting consolidation and predicted 2012, and was also awarded the James that ethological intervention means S. McDonnell Foundation Centennial may be adopted by clinicians in the Fellowship at the same year. In addi- future to change post traumatic stress tion, she serves as the editor of the fa- disorder and its fear memory through mous psychology magazine Emotion. strengthening the inhibitory signals Professor Phelps presented a de- functions of amygdala, which plays sent from the ventromedial prefrontal tailed explanation of the important an important role in the acquirement, cortex to the amygdala.
PKU Wins Awards in the 42nd Geneva’s International Exhibition of Inventions Gao Juyi
rganized and recommended by of Inclinometer for Oil Well the Office of Science & Technol- Principal Investigator: Professor Wang O ogy, PKU, four inventions of the Ziyu; Exhibitors: Wang Xinyue, Wang School of Electronics Engineering and Ziyu, Wang Qin. Computer Science were exhibited at (3) Silver Medal: Mobile Digital Sys- the 42nd International Exhibition of In- tem for Early Warning of Health Risks ventions of Geneva, which took place Principal Investigator: Assistant Pro- from April 2nd to the 6th, 2014. These fessor Huang Anpeng; Exhibitors: Chen inventions won two Gold Medals and Wen, Chen cao. important exhibition for inventions due two Silver Medals on the exhibition, (4) Silver Medal: New Generation of to its large scale and long history. This which are listed as follows: Intelligent Monitoring System for Help- time the exhibition saw 790 exhibitors (1) Gold Medal: Micro Triboelectric ing the Elder and the Disabled from 45 countries presenting more than Generator Principal Investigator: Professor Liu 1000 pieces of inventions, covering re- Principal Investigator: Professor Hong; Exhibitor: Sun Yike. search results and new products which Zhang Haixia; Exhibitors: Meng Bo, Han Starting from 1972, the International aim to address difficulties in areas such Mengdi, Zhu Fuyun. Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is as environmental protection, energy, se- (2) Gold Medal: New All Fiber SUNX recognized as one of the world’s most curity and transportation.
Nature: High-Throughput Screening of a CRISPR/Cas9 Library for Functional Genomics in Human Cells Gao Juyi
he uncovering of the function cal, pathological or developmental geted genetic editing technologies of a certain gene and its coding processes plays an important role in are powerful tools for the study. T protein in specific physiologi- studying biology and disease. Tar- While RNA interference (RNAi) has
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 09 Academic
been developed and widely used in a focused CRISPR/Cas- genetic studies of mammalian cells, based (clustered regu- it does have certain limitations— larly interspaced short in particular, the RNAi-based down palindromic repeats/ regulation of a particular gene is CRISPR-associated) not always sufficient to result in the lentiviral library in hu- phenotypic change of interest. On man cells, and a method the other hand, recent progress in of gene identification genomic editing, such as ZFN (zinc based on functional finger nuclease), TALENs (transcrip- screening and high- tion activator-like effector nucle- throughput sequencing ases) and the CRISPR/Cas (clustered analysis. Using knockout regularly interspaced short palin- library screens, the host dromic repeats/CRISPR associated) genes essential for the system, has markedly changed the intoxication of cells by way researchers manipulate indi- anthrax and diphtheria vidual genes. In contrast to the toxins are successfully rapid development of toolkits to identified, which were manipulate individual genes, large- confirmed by functional scale screening methods based on validation. The broad application of Center, and was published online in the complete loss of gene expres- this powerful genetic screening strat- Nature on April 9th, 2014. PhD candi- sion are only now beginning to be egy will not only facilitate the rapid dates Zhou Yuexin, Zhu Shiyou, Cai developed. identification of genes important for Changzu tie for the first authors. The Hence, based on the type II CRIS- bacterial toxicity but will also enable research is supported by grants from PR/Cas system, the team leaded by the discovery of genes that participate the National Basic Research Pro- Professor Wei Wensheng, from the in other biological processes. The gram of China, the National Science College of Life Sciences, Peking Uni- work was cooperated with Professor Foundation of China, and the Peking versity, established a genome-scale Huang Yanyi, from the Peking Uni- University-Tsinghua University Joint screening method which consists of versity Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center for Life Sciences.
PKU Researcher Discovered Unique Pair of Hidden Black Holes Yu So-jin
n April 22th, 2014, European from the Department of Astronomy, holes in orbit around each other Space Agency (ESA) reported PKU, and his partners have discov- with XMM-Newton orbiting X-ray O that Professor Liu Fukun ered a pair of supermassive black observatory. They were discovered because they ripped apart a star when the space observatory hap- pened to be looking in their direc- tion. Most massive galaxies in the Uni- verse are thought to harbor at least one supermassive black hole at their center. Two supermassive black holes are the smoking gun that the galaxy has merged with another. Thus, finding binary supermassive black holes can tell astronomers about how galaxies evolved into their present-day shapes and sizes. On 10th June 2010, a tidal dis-
10 Peking University Newsletter ruption event was spotted by the flow of gas XMM-Newton in galaxy SDSS onto the other, J120136.02+300305.5. Komossa temporarily (Max-Planck-Institut für Radioas- depriving it tronomie) and her colleagues were of fuel to fire scanning the data for such events the X-ray flare. and scheduled follow-up observa- He found that tions just days later with XMM- two possible Newton and NASA’s Swift satellite. configurations The galaxy was still spilling X-rays were possible into space. It looked exactly like a to reproduce tidal disruption event caused by a the observa- supermassive black hole but as they tions of J120136.In the first, the pri- They will radiate their orbital en- tracked the slowly fading emission mary black hole contained 10 mil- ergy away, gradually spiralling to- day after day something strange lion solar masses and was orbited gether, until in about two million happened. The X-rays fell below de- by a black hole of about a million years’ time they will merge into a tectable levels between day 27 and solar masses in an elliptical orbit. single black hole. 48 after the discovery. Then they re- In the second solution, the primary Now that astronomers have appeared and continued to follow black hole was about a million so- found this first candidate for a bina- a more expected fading rate, as if lar masses and in a circular orbit. In ry black hole in a quiescent galaxy, nothing had happened. both cases, the separation between the search is inevitably on for more. Professor Liu Fukun had been the black holes was relatively small: XMM-Newton will continue its slew working on models of black hole 0.6 milliparsecs or about 2 thou- survey. This detection will also spur binary systems that predicted a sud- sandths of a light year. This is about interest in a network of telescopes den plunge to darkness and then the width of our Solar System. Be- that search the whole sky for tidal the recovery because the gravity of ing this close, the fate of this newly disruption events. one of the black holes disrupted discovered black hole pair is sealed.
PKU Research Team Led by Prof. Chen Xing and Prof. Huang Yanyi Developed New Live-Cell Imaging Method Won Cheng Yi Lewis
ive-cell fluorescence imaging is out by Professor Chen Xing from an important tool used in the the College of Chemistry and L field of life sciences research. Molecular Engineering, Peking During a typical fluorescence imag- University, and Professor ing experiment, researchers typically Huang Yanyi from the Bio- require the use of fluorophores to ob- Dynamic Optical Imaging serve the micro-organisms of interest. Center, has co-developed Some commonly used fluorophores a new form of live-cell include proteins, quantum dots and imaging which allows small molecules of fluorescent dye. much higher resolu- Critically, these fluorophores must be tions of imaging marker of size in nanometer scale, which is group. The method they also the size of most micro-organisms. employed is known as The challenge is to design even smaller Stimulated Raman Scatter- fluorophores which will result in less ing Microscopy (SRS). This interference during live-cell fluores- imaging method affords non- cence imaging. invasiveness, high sensitivity, Recently, a project jointly carried and molecular specificity and there-
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 11 Academic
fore should find broad applications in 10.1002/anie.201400328). It is hoped Tao are co-first authors of this research live-cell imaging. that with this new imaging method, paper. This research also received fund- The findings of this research were it will open up new opportunities for ing from the National Natural Science recently published in the Angewandte the future research in live-cell imaging. Fund Committee and the Ministry of Chemie International Edition (DOI: PhD students Hong Senlian and Chen Science.
PKU Professor Awarded 2013 Okawa Foundation Research Grant Yu So-jin
rofessor Wang Qianxiang from the Japanese Government to be “a the School of Electronics Engi- public interest incorporated founda- P neering and Computer Science, tion”. At first, the awards and grants PKU, was awarded the 2013 Okawa only went to the local scientists, but Foundation Research Grant. He be- since 2006, the Okawa Foundation came the eighth PKU scholar to re- Research Grant has been expanded to ceive the prize. scholars from the United States and The Okawa Foundation was es- Asia. tablished in 1986, and approved as For the past few years, professor an authorized non-profit organiza- Wang Hanpin, professor Jiao Bingli, tion by the Japanese Government. professor Wu Xihong, and several The mission of the organization is and research grants, and to further researchers from the School of Elec- to promote development in the field international academic and cultural tronics Engineering and Computer of information and telecommunica- exchanges in this area. In 2011, the Science, PKU, have received the tions through means such as awards Okawa Foundation was certified by prize.
Achievements in Research on Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Published by ES&T Yu So-jin
n the field of climate change re- trend and reduction potential in Chi- In 2007, the Montreal Protocol search, the study of the influence na, based on their previous study on Parties reached an agreement on the I of non-CO2 greenhouse gases China’s historical emissions of chlo- accelerated phase-out schedule for attracts the attention of the inter- rofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlo- the production and consumption of national community. Recently, sig- rofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydro-
nificant progress on non-CO2 green- fluorocarbons (HFCs). In addition, house gases research has been made the research team is the first to report by professor Hu Jianxin, professor the atmospheric concentrations and Zhang Jianbo, and associate professor changing trend of Trifluoroacetic acid Xu Jianhua from the College of En- (CF3COOH, TFA) in Beijing. Three vironmental Sciences and Engineer- of their related research results were ing, PKU. One of their achievements published on Environmental Science & is the estimation of future emission Technology (ES&T).
12 Peking University Newsletter HCFCs and HFCs for dispersive ap- plications in developed and devel- oping countries. These substances are used primarily as a refrigerant for air conditioning, refrigerators and industrial equipments and the foaming agent for polyfoam. For example, HFC-134a is used mainly in the automobile air-con- ditioning sector, and its production and consumption in China has been increasing rapidly due to the growth in vehicle number. HFC-23 is a by- product in the production process of HCFC-22. The emission of HFC- 23 has increased due to a substan- tial increase of HCFC-22 produc- tion. If left uncontrolled, the global (1980−2012) and a projection phy-tandem mass spectrometry. HFCs emissions could be equivalent (2013−2050) of HFC-23 produc- These results will provide scientific to 9−19% of global CO2 emissions tion, abatements, and emissions in evidences to study the effect of gas in 2050, and it would mean greater China. They also collected a large emissions on the ecological con- harm for the climatic environment. number of air samples (2012-2013) dition, and provide guidance for The research team compiled and analyzed the data using high- implementing effective phasing-out comprehensive historical records performance liquid chromatogra- of greenhouse gases in China.
Prof. Xiao Ruiping Appointed Associate Editor of New England Journal of Medicine Li Xize
rofessor Xiao Ruiping, Director Before coming back to China, of the Institute of Molecular Professor Xiao Ruiping had worked P Medicine, Peking University, in the National Institutes of health accepted the invitation of New Eng- (NIH) in America for over twenty land Journal of Medicine (NEJM), years and is a senior investigator and served as the associate editor of there. When interviewed, Professor NEJM. This is the first time that NEJM Xiao Ruiping said that she would appointed an associate editor outside devote herself to promoting win- the US. win cooperation between China and Founded in 1812, NEJM is the NEJM. On the one hand, she will oldest and the most authoritative bring the expertise and influence comprehensive medical periodical, of NEJM into full play, introducing striving to report important clini- cutting-edge philosophies, methods cal research, medical incidents and and concepts, as well as the most medical polices across the globe. authoritative international norms With the rapid development in to promote Chinese medical phar- the field of biomedical sciences in Ruiping was confirmed as the as- maceutical research. On the other China, NEJM has begun to select sociate editor of NEJM. Serving as hand, she also hopes that NEJM can a associate editor responsible for the associate editor of NEJM is a present the best Chinese clinical re- reports of China and the Asia Pa- great honour, and it also indicates search results to the world to better cific region in 2013. After several the international influence of Chi- improve the health condition of the rounds of selection, Professor Xiao na in biomedical research field. humanity.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 13 People
People from his own experience. With the purpose of international- izing FAPESP, President Lafer led many symposiums around the world. His fo- cus is currently on China. “The aim of FAPESP, which is also my personal aim, is to develop an international scientific collaboration community, which con- Celso Lafer nects Brazil to other countries in the Strengthen Ties in Scentific Collaboration world, and helps achieve progress at the same time. Now Asia is becoming Zhang Chunxiao the engine of the world, and we have already had a symposium in Japan. But I always believe China was and is the first partner of our scientific collabora- tion because we have similar situation both at country level and academic rofessor Wang Enge, President of Law School, University of São Paulo. trend level.” PKU visited the São Paulo State He was twice the Brazilian Minister When sharing his views on scien- P Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil of External Relations and the Minister tific research, President Lafer said “the in October, 2013. During the visit, it of Development, Industry and Trade. aim of this symposium is to improve was announced that the FAPESP Week From 1995 to 1998, he served as the the potential ability to do research. would be held between April 16th Ambassador, Permanent Representative The topics of this symposium, like and 18th, 2014 in Beijing. The main of Brazil to the WTO and the UN. environmental science, materials and fields of the cooperation are material Professor Celso Lafer studied under nano-chemistry, renewable energy and nano-chemistry, environmental renowned political theorist Hannah Ar- technologies, agriculture and life sci- science, renewable energy technolo- endt during the 1960’s at Cornell Uni- ences, are all excellent fields in China. gies, agriculture and life sciences, and versity, from where he received both his I can feel that universities in China medicine and life sciences. FAPESP Masters and PhD degrees in Political have the same feature in research and and PKU represent the top level of Science. Having majored in humani- education---they all have specific aims. academics in their respective countries, ties and social sciences, he makes great And universities will enhance their and the cooperation of the two will efforts to study natural sciences and overall quality to achieve the aim, be- greatly benefit both countries. As mark engineering. “At this time, rapidly coming the first-class universities.” He of the good relations, PKU increasing knowledge expressed confidence in the coopera- has the honor to receive has huge influence tion between China and Brazil. Professor Celso Lafer, on people, also the President Lafer also mentioned that President of FAPSEP. fate of a country. there are many representatives from Professor Celso An integrative other top universities and organiza- Lafer has been the knowledge system tions around the world in this sym- President of FAPESP makes human re- posium, which provides a good op- (São Paulo Research sources manage- portunity to strengthen ties with them. Foundation) since ment efficient”, President Lafer also stressed the im- 2007. He is also he said. This is portance of supporting the cultivation Professor Emeritus his analysis of the of international elites. Thus, FAPSEP of the International international re- offers scholarship to students from Relations Institute of lations undergraduate ones to post-doctorate the University of São ones. This greatly motivates the Paulo, and Full Profes- innovative ability of the stu- sor (retired) of the dents, and through this way a large amount of progress has been achieved in many fields. Then President Lafer introduced some of the ma-
14 Peking University Newsletter the origins, diversity and distribution of the flora and fauna of the State of São Paulo, but also to evaluate the pos- sibilities of sustainable exploitation of The aim of FAPESP, which is also my plants or animals for their economic potential, and provide guidance in personal aim, is to develop an international the formulation of forest conservation scientific collaboration community. policies . From Brazil’s FAPESP to the world’s FAPESP, President Lafer has signed many agreements with other institu- tions all over the world. He has also begun a new journey, visiting FAPSEP’s partners one by one. He has a quick jor programs conducted by FAPESP. laboratories to advance and apply mind and is sincere in building strong They are RIDC (Research, Innovation knowledge in fields related to ethanol bonds with various universities around and Dissemination Centers), and three production in Brazil. And the third one the world. With sharp insight, he leads environmental programs. is Biota-FAPESP Program, which aimed the FAPESP to play a more significant The biggest one that FAPESP is fo- to not only discover, map and analyze role in the world. cusing on is the RIDC. The São Paulo Research Foundation supports 17 Re- search, Innovation and Dissemination Centers (RIDCs), which are selected for funding for a period of time up to eleven years and subject to continua- tion reviews on year 2, 4 and 7. Dr. Marc Lanteigne Each RIDC is expected to establish A China Hand from the West a hub of excellent researches in its spe- Li Feiyue cific area. In addition, each RIDC must actively seek opportunities to have its research results contribute commercial- r. Marc Lanteigne, Chair of Vic- Montreal, Canada, and completed ly and/or socially. This includes having toria University’s China Research his Bachelor and Master degree at the relevant high-impact applications, as D Center, has published several McGill University. During his master- well as contributing to education and academic works on issues surrounding degree study, his interests in China and the dissemination of knowledge. The China,including China’s Foreign Policy: issues relating to China began to arise. research topics covered by the Cen- An Introduction, the Chinese Party-State “I took some courses related to these ters include the following: food and in the 21st Century, and China and In- issues in the graduate school. These nutrition; glasses and glass-ceramics; ternational Institutions. He is also the problems grasped my heart and I fell functional materials; neuroscience and academic advisor of Cross Cultural in love with the Chinese culture. I used neuro-technology. Leadership Program co-established by to study Russian and former Soviet The other three major programs Peking University and Victoria Univer- Union politics. But after learning about supported by FAPESP are all related to sity of Wellington from 2012 to 2013. Chinese politics, my interests started to the environmental field. The first one Dr. Marc Lanteigne is a Canadian change,” explained Lanteigne, with a is the Research Program on Global scholar who has developed keen inter- broad smile on his face. Climate Change. The Program has a ests in Chinese culture. He has traveled Dr. Lanteigne has published aca- substantial technological component across America, Northern Europe, Asia demic works about China, which have for the development of appropriate en- and Oceania for academic purposes. provided in-depth analysis of the issues vironmentally friendly technologies for His endeavor in research and teach- from different perspectives. In the past the future. This does not only concern ing reveals his love for the field he has decade, he has visited China for more innovative technologies for the mitiga- chosen and the persisting pursuit of than 40 times so as to gain more objec- tion of emissions, given that the impact knowledge. tive materials when analyzing China’s of climate change has become appar- problems. ent. The second one is BIOEN, namely When asked about his keen inter- Bio-energy Research Program. It is China: “Love at First Sight” ests in topics related to China, he said aimed at combining public and private that the wide range of issues relating R&D by using academic and industrial Dr. Marc Lanteigne was born in to China allows for great potential in
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 15 People academic research, especially in terms of foreign policy, political system and international affairs related to the rest of the world, etc. It’s very interesting to discuss Chinese Meanwhile, the drastic change of China as witnessed in the past 30 years issues with PKU students who understand also attracted Lanteigne’s attention. international relations very well. I often During the times of President Jiang Zemin, China’s foreign policy mainly hear very innovative opinions from them. focused on the United States and the Here at PKU, I am not only teaching, Eastern Asia. While in the times of President Hu Jintao, China’s foreign but also learning a lot from them. policy started to shift towards Africa, Europe, Latin America and the South- ern Pacific. Now China has engaged in the discussion on Arctic issues. We can observe an increasingly confident China that has gained more experience become interested in China’s for- dents. in handling international affairs from eign policy and political system be- Rich knowledge about the world these changes. cause they want to do business with and unique point of views of PKU “This is what I’m most interested in, Chinese counterparts,” explained students left a deep impression on Dr. and also what I want to teach my stu- Dr.Lanteigne. Lanteigne. He noted that, “it’s very in- dents,” said Dr. Lanteigne. teresting to discuss Chinese issues with PKU students who understand inter- Cultural Ambassador: national relations very well. Many Observing China from New Zealand: The Other Roles of them come from other depart- Change with Each Passing Day ments including Philosophy, As the Chair of Victoria Uni- Japanese Studies, and the Eco- It may be hard for us to imagine versity’s China Research Center, nomic Department. I often hear how a country on the other side of Dr.Lanteigne is truly a cultural very innovative opinions the globe would become interested in ambassador on top of his from them. Here at China. However, with the acceleart- role as a professor. The PKU, I am not only ion of globalization and the rise of researchers of the Cen- teaching, but also China, the rest of the world has be- ter often visit China learning a lot from gan to cast their eyes to China while for academic research them.” China turns its eyes to the world. and field investiga- This time, Dr. Lan- Many schools and institutions tion. Also, a lot of joint teigne is visiting PKU in New Zeland now offer Chinese research and exchange again to share his new courses. On the other hand, there programs have been ini- research findings on the are 3 Confucian Institutes for people tiated between Chinese Chinese issues. Having in New Zealand to learn about the universities and Victoria visited PKU for 6 times, Chinese culture. “In New Zealand, University of Wellington. he mentioned that PKU more and more people have come to From 2012 to 2013, was like an old friend realize that China is now playing an Dr. Marc Lanteigne served to him. He hoped that important role in the international as the academic advisor of there could be more in- arena,” said Dr. Lanteigne. the Cross Cultural Lead- depth cooperation be- As a matter of fact, New Zealand, ership Program co-estab- tween his university and which we would usually categorized lished by Peking University PKU in the future. as a western country, sees itself closer and Victoria University of Throughout the year, to Asia than we might have imagined. Wellington. During that Dr. Marc Lanteigne hardly In the past 5 years, China has become period, he was in charge has any holiday. But con- the second largest trading partner of of the arrangement of the ducting research in the New Zealand, just next to Australia. courses and lectures, as well field he loves makes him “As a result, New Zealand’s attention as teaching the culture, his- never feel tired but de- towards China is more focused on the tory and politics of New rive much enjoyment economic environment. Many people Zealand to Chinese stu- from it.
16 Peking University Newsletter appreciation to his advisors Dr. Zhang Chao for the support that they have Researching on “Smart Tags” given. The advisors then intro- Aria Gan and Danielle Guo duced him to Prof. Xing Chen’s lab for collaboration, where he conducted experiments on the spoilage process of milk. When the research was completed, his r. Zhang Chao attended the Amer- paper was rejected on multiple ican Chemical Society’s National occasions, with journal editors D Meeting in Dallas on March 17th, claiming the research being “too 2014 and delivered a presentation on his specialized”. He had to conduct latest research findings. His invention is more experiments and supple- a kind of smart tags that can be adhered ment with some new data before his paper on an industrial basis, Zhang Chao em- to food packages as a real-time quality was finally accepted. He and his team filed phasized that large-scale production can indicator, which changes color over time a patent for this technology, and the uni- be quite different from experiments in the to indicate food spoilages. versity is now supporting the team to seek lab, as carrying out the process in smaller Zhang Chao received his doctoral de- manufacturers of his invention. To say the scale is much easier. Mixing the ingredients gree from the College of Chemistry and least, the smart tag was eventually invented within a critical few seconds may not be Molecular Engineer, Peking University, and after a series of coincidence and hard work a problem in a test tube, but to do that in is previously a graduate student from Bei- put in. large tanks requires more consideration jing Institute of Technology. He describes The smart tags, according to Zhang and endeavor. himself as a typical student in the field of Chao’s introduction, are based on nanorod Apart from the food tags, he has worked natural sciences, spending most of his time reactions between gold and silver. Dur- some other projects that may have poten- in laboratories, assisting his academic advi- ing the reaction, nano-sized gold particles tial applications. One of them is a “revers- sors and doing research on interested sub- would be coated by nano-sized silver lay- ible light-controlled luminescent switch jects. The idea of the smart tags came up in ers, which lead to the color changes from pattern” which may be used in rewritable a casual conversation with a friend of his red or reddish orange to green. Other optical storage of data. Another is a skin- who is an art major. They were discussing than in solution, the reactions can also plaster that slowly changes it color under about the materials he had been studying take place in hydrogels, which is easier for sunlight, thus can potentially indicate the through his graduate period, which include demonstration. Chao demonstrated to the cumulative amount of ultraviolet radiation. chemicals and materials that could change journalist the experiment in a test tube. For the smart tags, his colleagues and color with time. His friend suggested that The particles react slowly under the room he are currently researching on a new and it has the potential to be used as a smart temperature. In order to accelerate the improved system, where it can hopefully tag to indicate the expiration dates of food process, he put the test tube in a hot water display the opposite color changing pro- products. He immediately realized the bril- bath of 65˚C. Within a few minutes, the cess: from green to red. “People seem to liance behind the idea, as food spoilage red-colored solution gradually turned into be accustomed to the idea that red is the and chemical reactions were both time- orange, yellow, and finally green. Zhang alarming color while green means safe. I and temperature-dependent. Chao mentioned that the green color guess we might have to take this into con- Later, during his two-month exchange could continue evolving into blue and sideration.” This time, in order to develop at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, violet with some alteration to the recipe. the smart tag 2.0, he is looking into rare he bumped into a material system which In principle, any of these colors could be earth materials, which the laboratory of his seemed perfectly suited for the food tag used to signify spoilage, but they chose advisors, Prof. Yan and Prof. Sun are famil- while doing another project. The idea was green because it was the color that hu- iar with. well supported by his Hong Kong instruc- man eyes are most sensitive to. Having spent 8 years in the labora- tor, Prof. Wang Jianfang. After the exchange To adapt to food with different shelf tory, Zhang Chao said he is now willing program ended, Zhang Chao returned to lives, the reaction in the gel must be pre- to try some other roads. “Many people do Beijing and discussed the idea with his cisely tuned so that the reaction rate is par- researches because they are interested, but advisor, Prof. Chun Huayan and Prof. Ling allel to the spoilage rate in a specific kind it is no easy work. There is a high risk of Dongsun, who specialize in the research of of food. Zhang Chao said that the ability failure. Some people get frustrated and quit rare earth materials. Even though his idea to tune the reaction’s rate and its sensitivity after hitting the wall several times, which of smart tags did not quite fit in the main- to temperature are critical components of is quite normal.” Zhang Chao mentioned stream of the lab’s research programs, it the smart tag, as different food will exhibit that he is appreciative of his advisors who nonetheless received approval and support different characteristics during the spoilage had been so supportive for him to follow from Prof. Yan and Prof. Sun. When asked, process. his interests in the lab, making the process Zhang Chao expressed his most sincerely When discussed about manufacturing itself a more joyful experience.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 17 Voice
Dominique de Villepin: Asia’s Leading Role in a Global Financial Reform Yuan Yating
Dominique de Villepin, born on No- the end, we can say that this financial tive exports to the U.S. and Europe. It vember 14th, 1953 in Labatt (Morocco), crisis induced the situation that al- has more power because it’s freeing it- earned bachelor degrees in Arts and Law, lowed the First World War to happen. self from political catastrophes through and graduated from the Paris Institute of Since 1970, there have been more union and dialogues, for example the Political Sciences and Ecole Nationaled’ and more financial crises. For example, Asian Forum has been very active in the Administration. From May 31st , 2005 to May 16th , 2007, he served as the Prime the debt crisis occurred in the African last 20 years. Asia has also gotten more Minister of France. On December of 2008, countries in the 1980s. Then, came the cultural strength and its soft power is he became the President of the Asia-Pacific exchange rate crisis in Europe. Then, growing. CEOs and Governors Association. He took came the currency crisis in emerging But Asia has more challenges to face the position of the President of UCRG countries such as the Asian Financial as well. In fact, it is at the forefront of International Advisory Board in October, crisis in 1997, the Russian crisis in most global threats. For example, Asia 2013, and committed to help reform the world’s credit rating system. On the morn- 1998, the Argentine and Turkish crisis is first vulnerable to environmental ing of April 12th, 2014, he paid a visit to in 2000. And finally in 2008, the bank- threats. Air and water pollution have Peking University and delivered this speech ruptcy of Lehman Brothers led to a become the main issues in Asian coun- at the School of Economics. global financial crisis. tries. This will not only be a health This script is rearranged according to the What we did get from all these les- issue but soon an economic issue be- speech recording. sons of instability? Let’s be honest, we cause they will reduce the growth rate. haven’t taken a good lesson from it. Asia is particularly vulnerable to politi- There have been some reforms. But they cal conflicts. Besides, Asia has massive haven’t been at the level with the needs. needs to improve its infrastructures It’s Time to Wake Up We haven’t done enough to refuse the in order to get the chance to tap all monopoly of the dollar. Nothing. its growth potential. In Bo’ao Forum, Yes, it’s time for us to wake up. Fi- What will our future look like? If China’s Premier Li Keqiang stressed nancial instability is a huge threat. It’s we don’t act, financial crises will bring the importance of a common political the cancer of the globalization. Let’s social and political catastrophes. They foundation based on shared responsi- have a look at the facts. Financial insta- will boil the balance in globalization if bilities, shared interests and a common bility has always caused catastrophes. we don’t take more steps. destiny. This has been true in the nineteenth century, when the collapse of several major banks seemed to break Europe Asia: Leading the Way Against Financial Three Principles about the finance in the 1880s. The initial re- Crisis Global Financial Reform sponse to the rise of nationalism was the economy, as well as politics in In fact, Asia is waking up. Asia is ris- Those problems do not only apply growing chaos within European coun- ing again. And Asia has led the way in to Asia. We need a global reform of the tries. The second response was global- the 5 or 4 financial sections. Everyone financial sector. We need reforms on ization. European nations strengthened would agree with that. Asia is an in- common principles. their rule in the world. This can be seen coming power. That is true particularly First, we need diversity. The econ- from the conference in Berlin in 1885, here in China. Today Asia represents omy is not a unified issue. There’s not where the European discussed about the surge of world’s output, and will one single economic model working the division of Africa. China at that soon represent half of the total output. the same for everyone. We need to pro- time had been drawn into the revolu- Asia is the creditor of the world. Today, mote diversity through collaborations tion of the world economy when many Asian countries accumulated massive anong different economic zones, rather Chinese were forced to work abroad. In reserve because of their very competi- than imposing a single model.
18 Peking University Newsletter In fact, Asia is waking up. Asia is rising again. Asia can build a new model of the credit rating system for the reference of the world, and serves as a starting point for a new world-wide system.
For the second principle, we need The second key is the reform of the mier Li Keqiang mentioned, the urgent confidence. This means working on banking systems. We need stronger necessity of reforming the credit rating better governments in preparation for regulations of the different deposit and system, which can benefit the environ- the reform of financial systems. Also, investment activities of the bank insti- ment, production and the growth. this means working on information. tutions. But we should also realize that the That’s why we should create a global The third key is offshore invest- credit rating system is diverse and can- statistical platform that provides the ments. There are more and more “dark not be justified in a single dimension. world with comparable and trustful holes” fueled by criminal activities and Diversity is a good rating tool with data on growth and GDP, and data on corruption. two different rating systems——one at the unemployment and debts. The fourth key is the reform of the the regional level and the other at the The third principle is fairness. Fair- credit rating system. global level. For this reason, it is not ness becomes the great theme of the Let’s talk more details about the necessary to rely on a single system any world. We respect the culture and sov- crucial reform, the reform of the credit more. Good practices could also be ereignty of many different countries. rating system. This reform, in my view, launched as a result. China has imple- The typical rule here is reciprocal. is the key reform. Why? There are three mented reforms over the past years and Thus, this world-wide reform that I reasons to this. The first reason, it’s has achieved quite a positive result. hope for will need first to be built on an easier reform. It’s a light industry. At the same time, this measure could region-to-region collaboration. Asia is The second reason, the assessment of bring about benefits surrounding the not alone. Europe and Asia have an im- the reform is the center of confidence, credit rating systems. portant relationship and they should which is the basis for stability. The create a spiritual silk road. third reason is that the reform is ripe. The financial crisis has shown the obvi- Conclusion ous weaknesses of rating system. Key: The Reform of the Credit Rating System In fact, Asia is waking up. Asia is ris- These are the issues that require gov- ing again. Asia can build a new model ernments, companies and citizens to be We need to know several aspects of of the credit rating system for the creative in order to yield new sugges- the financial reform. reference of the world, and serves as tions. That’s why it’s a fascinating time The first key is the reform of curren- a starting point for a new world-wide for economies around the world. It’s cy. The hegemonies of currency have system. It has the chance to take on the a time for imagination. It’s a time for created huge threats. General de Gaulle leadership in the reform of the credit determination. And we are all involved expressed clearly that the necessity of rating system. As we can see, there is in this new worldwide revolution of new and fair system could be based on an economic strength deriving in Asia the new globalization. We all have the a world-wide counting unit and based and spreading all over the world. There responsibility to make it specific. Do on a basket of currencies. is also a political reason for it, as Pre- think about it.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 19 Voice
On Cross Cultural Exchanges between Universities: Interview with the Vice Principal International of University of Edinburgh Yang Linhan
Professor Stephen Hillier is the Vice Prin- on building our international identity. cipal International at the University of Ed- Therefore, we went abroad to attract inburg. Joined the University of Edinburgh more students. We are looking to be in 1985, he was appointed Professor of understood more clearly by the rest of Reproductive Endocrinology in 1993. He is also an Honorary Consultant Clinical the world, and to be recognised as one Scientist with Lothian University Hospitals of the top universities in the world. Trust. I will put this into 4 main goals. We want the world to know our strengths, He has previously worked in London, Leiden, and Maryland, where he was a what we stand for, how good we are. Fogarty International Postdoctoral Fellow We also want to attract best students at the National Institutes of Health. Pro- from everywhere around the world. We fessor Hillier also served as a Fellow of the want to attract best staff to do the best Royal College of Pathologists, and holds research, teaching, to provide the best degrees from Leeds, Wales and Edinburgh education for our students. Lastly, we (DSc 1992). want to make sure that the knowledge The following text is rearranged according we have attained through our research to an interview recording. and activities is used to make the world a much better place. think that everybody who works in The undergraduate exchange pro- the academic land stands to gain gram between the University of Edin- Ifrom the overseas experience of burgh and Peking University not only our Chinese students, so the Confucius different cultures. It does not matter involves the field of frontier sciences Institute became much like a meeting which country you come from. If you such as stem cells, but also includes place for our Chinese students. They only stay in your own country, interact history, law, politics and Chinese cul- even held a Chinese New Year celebra- with those of your own population, ture. For the communication between tion there. I think that Peking Univer- you will miss so much of the world. the two universities, I have seen it sity students have a strong influence on So, as a young scientist, when I first growing, and I have helped it grow in the atmosphere for Chinese students finished my degree training at British the past decade. Two major things have there, which is very good for University universities, it was natural for me to taken place simultaneously. The first of Edinburgh. go to a foreign country for a period of is that we have founded and started to I remember that in 2007 we had time to continue my scholarship, but develop our medical school. This also a degree awarding ceremony at PKU, also to expand my cultural horizons. includes the development of a partner- where all of students who have partici- My own experience was dictated by my ship with Peking University Health pated in the exchange program came academic age, so I went to Maryland Sciences Centre. We have started a dis- together to celebrate their association in America, and the Leiden University cussion with Peking University about with University of Edinburgh. And at in Netherlands to do research. Then I collaborations in PhD training. We are that ceremony, we also awarded an went to London to work on test tube also arranging for scholarships to allow honorary degree to Professor Zhang baby research. We should be encour- PKUHSC’s students to come to Univer- Mengshan of PKU, who was trained in aged going abroad, otherwise you do sity of Edinburgh to do their master’s the University of Edinburgh. not know how it will work out. and PhD training. When they return to Basically, every year we have more The University of Edinburgh is near- PKU, hopefully they can spread their and more agreements that are being ex- ly 4 centuries old. It was created back experience of studying and researching plored and developed. Just last year, a to 1583 as one of the first-ever interna- at University of Edinburgh. new joined research center for Chinese tional universities. Since I became the The second one is that we have studies — across the fields of humani- Vice President, for the first time ever, in opened a Confucius Institute in Edin- ties and social sciences — was opened, 429 years, we have launched an inter- burgh. We have a very strong cultural, with premises situated in both schools. national interaction strategy, focusing linguistic, as well as social center for I think we should be opened to
20 Peking University Newsletter changes, and also become partners not lowed us to gradually shift into new, realistic. just in terms of research in science, but more effective methods, rather than So you have to recast, reconceptual- also in the humanities and social scienc- making sudden changes that might not ise what it means for university educa- es. There is a shared cultural awareness be good in the long run. So for all of tion. It may not always be the same of the challenges of living in the 21st cen- our new developments, we have inter- thing. Maybe we need different types tury. I guess that the biggest challenge disciplinary research and teaching, be of universities in different regions, for the UK is to allow more students it in the field of health sciences, envi- with different parts that have different to be aware of the Chinese culture. If ronment, law, etc. All of those areas are priorities. We may need more choices there is one single thing that will help taught and researched by members of in terms of what the priority is. You in our collaboration, that is to make faculty from individual schools. want an education, a profession, a job, more Chinese students learn English I think that the needs for more you would say, “yes”. What if you want well, and make more British students people to have access to university edu- more than that, such as the ability and learn Chinese well. This would allow cation around the world means that a opportunity to create intellectual and us to have a meaningful exchange in different expectation should attached social opportunities in the future? Or our culture and social lifestyle. to the different type of education that do you want a university education In order to balance between the a university provides. It is almost im- that simply as an expression of expe- challenges and traditions, we keep the possible to have very extensive focus rience and as a part of broader liberal best of the past, and we gradually in- on research activities, and make it education? The politics in your coun- corporate the best of the current. We available to everybody. Not all higher try, the economy in your country, will never stop to do anything that was education should be based on research the climates, and the environment of successful in the past. And we will start in the university. If we want all the 7.3 your locality, all of the things will de- to do new things that we believe would billion people on the planet to receive termine what is feasible for research be successful in the future. This has al- university education, it is probably not and education.
Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan: The Importance of a University’s Culture Zheng Zihui
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan was appointed pus. The buildings there include residen- complex is in another place, and the study President of the National University of Singa- tial colleges for students, and many new places are yet in another place. The sports- pore in December 2008. He currently serves facilities as well as sport facilities, cultural men do not usually get to mix with the as the Chairman of the Board of the National University Health System. A renal physician, facilities such as practice room for music people who are interested in music and he obtained his medical training at NUS, and and dancing. Essentially, what we are trying dancing. But when you put them in one research training at the Institute of Molecular to do is to create a set of facilities, bring a place, it greatly increases the chance for stu- Medicine, Oxford. He was the Dean of the diverse group of students together and en- dents and faculties to mix, and I think that NUS Faculty of Medicine from 1997 to 2000, able them to have a very strong interaction. is very important. What we want to do is to and served as the Director of Medical Services, I can give you two examples on how open up the minds of students to as many Ministry of Health Singapore, from 2000 to this works. One is that every NUS student dimensions as possible. 2004. can use the facilities, so we have classes The second example is, within this In this interview, Professor Tan shared with us that… Say that we have the sports hall university town, there are also 4 residential his experience in leading NUS, and the various where our competition and training take colleges. So these are places where students reforms and progress he had put in place. Pro- fessor Tan also shared with us highlights of a place, and in the same building there are stay, but they are different from hostels. We residential college, and stressed the importance rooms in which any student can book for try to get as diverse a group as possible. So of cultivation of a university’s unique culture. music practice or dancing. Those rooms when you apply to stay in the university are next to the theatres and seminar rooms. town, we would randomize you to one think we have many new developments Then, there’re cafes and places where of the colleges. So the college will have during the period. On the education people can meet. What is happening is that students from different disciplines mixed Iside, the highlight would be the opening you find different types of students mixing altogether. Where you stay is also random- of our new university town. This is a proj- together where normally they would not. ized. Every room is a single room, but it ect where we bought an old golf court and In the past, in NUS the sports complex is designed so that every six rooms is one converted it into an extension of our cam- is in one part of the campus, the cultural community. Each one holds 600 students,
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 21 Voice
how good you are, you are always continu- ously improving. But No matter how good you are, not just yourself, the institution, the people you are always continuously that work around you. improving. But not just We really want to have yourself, the institution, the a very good team, like a football team, where people that work around you. there are good players and they pass the ball to each other and score goals. It is much better than a football team with people who are all very talented, but they all want to score goals themselves. In the long and about 100 students are international was dying and brown. In the middle of all term, it is not a very sustainable model for students. So you will have students from of this, my colleague who was in charge of us, so we need this sense of personal want- about 30 countries staying in the college. campus planning sent me some photos ing to excel but also this sense of collective In this way we created a very diverse com- and what they had done is that they had excellence. So if your group does better munity. And in between the colleges are made use of the dry weather to get some of than my group, I should work harder. But dining halls, where eating breakfast and our bushes to flower. This is very common I should also be happy that your group dinner there is compulsory. This makes in the tropics in dry weather if you look makes NUS better. I think that cultural sure that students actually interact, and after them in a certain way, they burst out excellence is very important. And there the students in the college actually take with colors. is also the culture of innovation, mean- courses together in the college. Say you stay You can say that it is a small thing, ing you have to do things where people in Tembusu College, 600 students have but for me, it is a sign of real pride in are not doing yet. Unlike PKU where you to take 5 courses within 2 years, and the ownership that people take. They own have so many talented people in a huge courses are taught in the college where you the campus and they are proud of it, so country, we are a very small university in a are staying. Each course has 15 students in even though the weather is bad, they are very small country. We got to be a lot more it, and so the 15 students will come from still thinking of ways to make the campus innovative, and part of being that is to get different disciplines and there will be some more beautiful, so I think that is a good out to new areas where you can make con- international students. So the whole idea sign of ownership and of commitment tributions. And so being multiple disciplin- is that we want to have a very diverse stu- to the university. And we also have a lot ing is very important, and everybody says dent population that interacts very closely of events that we hold every year.For ap- that. The question is whether you have a together. Then here we have some very nice plicants who are choosing a university, we culture where people are happy to work to- facilities for the students: the sports, dance, do a big open-house. So every year we have gether. And over the years, I think we have music practice suites, swimming pool, and this big open house, we will set a booth, made very good progress in developing restaurants and so on. Every week, there faculty will come, and students groups will that culture. will be about 10,000 students that use the come. We will set up entertainment; bands It all starts from the leadership. The facilities and we have about 4000 students will play, like a big carnival. The main part leadership must be able to work together. living there. is to introduce the university to applicants, The Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deputy There are many stories I could share, but what I find is when I spent the day go- Presidents, so you need to choose people maybe I will share some stories about the ing around, I always notice that the teams who are strong academics, who can bring culture of the place, which I think is the try to do different things every year. And people together and look after the faculty, most important thing that a university some of it can be small little things, you but you also need people who know what develops. So I would like look for culture know, like small little touches. One small it takes in order for them to excel, and who from signs of what people do. If I think thing that I noticed once is that they put up must work with the other groups. In fact about it, I can give you a couple of exam- this yellow directional sign that pointed at that’s the best way for them to excel. And, ples. Earlier this year, during January and many directions. of course, we have all kinds of incentives. February, we had a very long, dry season. So again, you can see that these are Those are important. But if the leadership Singapore usually has a lot of rain, but for all very small things that may not matter, does not reinforce the message, then quite about six weeks we had no rain. It was the but they are little things that indicate the often you find this very difficult to really worst we had for 149 years, so all the grass culture of striving to be better. No matter make a difference.
22 Peking University Newsletter On Research and International Partnership: Interview with the Vice President of UBC Zheng Zihui
Professor John Hepburn is the Vice things. And that is what I am in President of Research at the University charge of. of British Columbia (UBC). He was So with the big universities, educated at the University of Waterloo when you come to them, the inter- (BSc, 1976), University of Toronto est is obviously on a research part- (PhD, 1980), and University of Cali- nership, which will be what your researchers, including faculty mem- fornia Berkeley (NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, 1980-82). He became Dean President would want to talk to me bers and graduate students, with an of Science of UBC in 2003, and Vice about. And so, it is natural, since I excellent team of support staff and President, Research in 2005. The in- have responsibility for research at good facilities. It is really a whole ternational portfolio was added to Pro- the university, for me to take on the package of things that goes together. fessor John’s list of responsibilities in international portfolio. In reality, Therefore, all good universities will August 2009. partnerships between two large re- try to recruit the best students and In this interview, Professor Hepburn search universities involve research faculty members from all over the talked about his experience and chal- partnerships. It may be anything world. We cannot pretend that we lenges faced in the exchanges and col- including graduate student mo- can find them in just one country. laborations between different universi- bility, joint research projects and And then there is global enter- ties. joint funding research projects. In prise. If the researchers only cared essence, many of the higher level about the university, then it is prob- y work focuses on handling and important interactions between ably not very good. We talk about international partnerships, major universities are linked to re- world-class university all the time, M which are generally based search somehow. but what is the idea of a world- on research partnerships. This in- I believe that any kind of research leading university? What are the key cludes student mobility agreements is global in nature. People, who are features? that are very specific to specific area experts in a certain area, whether it Of course there are rankings and of study. Thus, it doesn’t really re- is English literature or Physics, are so on, but I think that the stron- quire the university’s intervention generally spread across the globe. gest indicator, if we talking about to keep track of all the students and Even in my own research, my clos- research, is how good are the PhD make sure that all the agreements est collaborators are often away students you recruit? Are you getting are properly negotiated. A research from my own university and in the the best PhD students from around partnership also does not require newsroom. He comes to my lab the world to come to do their PhDs anything at my level, because the and I visit him, and we publish pa- at your institution? If you do, that researchers will get together and do pers together which is fairly normal they are choosing to come to your the research. But when you get to a research. So good research starts off university to establish their careers, strategic partnership, like the kind with the help of international part- then you are probably good. The that I had in discussion with the nerships. Even beyond that, how do same goes to faculty members, we Max Planck society, and then you you have research with real impact? expect to be in competition with have to have university coordina- Well, there has to be good research Berkeley, Stanford, and with PKU. I tion, because it involves university to start with, which contains what think it is the quality of people you resources and protection of intel- people around the world care about. can attract from outside to come, lectual property and all of those That means you have to have good either as advanced students or as
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 23 Voice faculty members, is the best indica- We will continue to keep working This article is based on the interview of tor of a good university. on it. Because partnerships develop Professor Peter Mathieson, the current We are trying to broaden our in- over years, and you cannot say that President and Vice-Chancellor of the ternational markets in two senses. we are going to be the best friends of University of Hong Kong (HKU). He at- tended the launch of Yenching Academy We are trying to keep the interna- PKU, for example, and have it hap- at Peking University (PKU) and the tional students that come to our pen tomorrow. So it takes a lot of international forum with the theme of campus to be as diverse as possible. students coming back and forth. It “the Future of the Research University in It would be very easy for us if we takes faculty members, joint research the Age of Globalization—Innovations simply want to increase the number programs, things like that. Having in Talent Cultivation”. In this interview, of students, as we can just come governmental support from the Cana- he shared his insights into leading HKU in the next five years. and recruit more students from dian government would be nice, and China. But we want the students that of Chinese government as well. who come from China to work with So the China council is a way of ad- aving assumed office on April students from Canada, and also to dressing deepening partnerships. We 1st, Professor Peter Mathieson work with those from India and are also in discussion about increase H became the first President of for- Brazil and so forth. We are trying to in joint academic programs. So we eign nationality in the history of HKU. diversify the students who come to are taking a lot of things forward, and This outstanding British scholar was our campus and study. We are also trying to focus on a relatively small previously dean of the University of trying to diversify the countries that number of Chinese universities. We Bristol’s medicine and dentistry faculty. our students go to. We have a lot of have, currently, fairly active relation- At the beginning of his term, Ma- students who go for exchanges, and ships with up to 90 Chinese universi- thieson suggested in a session with they usually go to the “safer” coun- ties. alumni that his vision for HKU was for tries, such as the UK, France, and Looking forward, I think where the 102-year-old institution to strive for Australia. We want them to go to the areas of potentials are the col- the maximization of its potential re- countries that are more challenging, laborations in the fields of the so- search achievements.”I think the excel- like China, because they may not cial sciences, international relations lence of the staff, students and alumni speak Chinese. That is what we are in particular. China is incredibly can lead the university to greater trying to do: to send our students important to the world economy. heights,” Professor Mathieson said. out and get them to countries out- China is also incredibly important side of their comfort zone. If you to certain regional politics and in- do go to countries that you are very creasingly global politics. Therefore, The Change: Being New as an Advantage comfortable with, then you will not China’s international development be learning very much. is increasingly important. These are As a specialist in renal science, We find that most of our students areas where people are interested Professor Mathieson’s first encounter have parents who are born outside in. One cannot claim to understand with Hong Kong was back in 2004, of Canada, or they themselves born how the world operates politically, when he organized the Workshop outside of Canada, because Canada and economically, without first un- on Prevention of Renal Disease with is an immigrant society. However, derstanding China. In natural sci- the Hong Kong Medical Association. the knowledge that they have or ences, there is not really a Chinese After the appointment as President their parents have is out of date. For science versus a European Science of HKU, the most frequently asked our Chinese students, they have an versus a South America Science. question for him was probably how image of China out of 30 years ago. Hence scientific interactions are he felt like fitting in the environment And so, we have to convince the stu- always important. I think there is of Hong Kong or China. According dents who speak Chinese at home a scholarly need to engage with to him, the fact that he was new to that the reason that you have to go China in social sciences, politi- Hong Kong had been an advantage to China is the China they think cal sciences, and cultural studies. for him. they know is not the China that ex- China is not a very well under- “I came to Hong Kong with no ists today. This is quite a challenge stood country, and I think that baggage and no preconceived ideas. for us because our student body leads to a lot of dangerous myths So I can focus just on what I think is is very international. What is true about China. People tend to deal best for the university,” Said Profes- about any immigrant community is with China based on myths and sor Mathieson. At the same time, he that they carry with them a kind of misunderstanding, and that can be considered it an exciting opportunity negative impression of the country dangerous, because China is too to start something new in this stage they left behind, especially when important of a country to be un- of his life. they migrated with “the hope for a derstood based on these wrongful Speaking of the efforts to adapt to better life”. assumptions. the new environment, Professor Ma-
24 Peking University Newsletter of HKU. More importantly, Mathieson deemed that it was an opportunity for Leading to Greater Heights HKU to act as a bridge for the rest of President of HKU Prof. Peter Mathieson China, and for the rest of the world. This should be the important principle Li Feiyue of the university, rather than the rank- ings. “I want to be highly regarded,” Said Mathieson, “But it is also dangerous to only think about rankings. I want HKU to be excellent in everything. Excel- lent in teaching, research, knowledge exchange, social policy, public engage- ment. If we achieve all these things, the ranking will follow.”
The Plan: Listening Mode in the First Year
In the beginning of the presidency of Professor Mathieson, he already had specific plans of the next five years. Apart from some personnel adjust- ments, he would spend his first year at HKU gathering information. He initiated a series of visits to dif- ferent faculties and planned to spend time interacting with students, staff and deans in order to learn about the university and its strengths and weak- nesses. In addition, he would also visit the administrative divisions including finance department, library, informa- tion technology department, and hu- man resources department to know their daily routines and operation. This is what Professor Mathieson consid- ered as a “listening mode”. thieson said, “I need to know the his- The Vision: HKU’s Future The trip to PKU was also the first tory, culture, and Chinese language. visit in his term. He approved and I learnt a little bit Cantonese before Aiming at bring HKU to brand new appreciated the idea of developing and I will start my Putonghua (Man- heights, Professor Mathieson has very students’ leadership and innovation ca- darin) lessons next week.” high expectation of the university in pability, which constitute the focus of Despite the differences, Mathie- the future. As a matter of fact, his goal cultivating talents is the same for both son did not feel too much of cultural is very clear— make HKU be “even PKU and HKU. shocks in Hong Kong. Instead, there stronger, enjoys even bigger reputation “The spirit of the university is de- were many things that seemed familiar in China and the rest of the world.” fined by the students,” said Mathieson, to him like driving on the left hand He realized it is very important to “In terms of the educational and per- side on the road. English is widely work with the Mainland China, and sonal development of the students, the spoken here. In the newspapers, there also to carry on the heritage and tradi- spirit of HKU is defined by its alumni. are coverage of football and horse rac- tion of working with the rest of the If the graduates become successful, es. These things are what he was used world. Although it can be demanding happy and feel loyalty to Hong Kong, to at home, which made it easier for to do the both things at the same time, we will feel that we are doing the right him to fit in. these are very important to the future thing.”
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 25 International ty was founded at the end of the 19th century with the intention of reviving Collaboration the crumbling nation and the uni- versity planning reached significant milestones at every decisive historic moments of the national history. At present, university planning has Higher Education Planning acquired enormous significance for PKU since China is now undergoing in Asia Conference 2014 held at PKU a rapid transition and trying to seize Heng Kang Wei the golden opportunities provided by the present international political and economic landscape. n March 25th and 26th, the High- “Planning for New Heights”. 22 speak- During the first video conference er Education Planning in Asia ers made presentations on a wide with SCUP, Professor Jeffrey Lehman, O Conference 2014 (HEPA) co- range of topics, such as the impacts of Vice Chancellor of New York University organized by Peking University (PKU) technology on learning environment, Shanghai, presented his view on plan- and Hong Kong University of Science campus planning and budget, devel- ning and developing higher education and Technology (HKUST) was held at opment of universities in various na- institutions in the East and West. Profes- PKU. Over 80 scholars and administra- tional contexts and challenges faced sor Lehman focused on the challenges tors from 18 institutions in mainland by senior administrators of an in- and opportunities faced by university China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, ternational campus. Live video links administrators and planners in the age of Australia and the United States attend- were established with the Society globalization and frequent cross-cultural ed the conference. for College and University Planning communication. His personal experi- The theme of the conference is (SCUP) Pacific Regional Conference ences of working at the School of Trans- in Hollywood, Los Ange- national Law of Shenzhen Graduate les, to allow for interac- School, PKU and NYU Shanghai Campus tions between participants provided the audience with classic and from both sides. illustrative examples of administration at Vice President of PKU internationalized, off-shore campuses. Li Yansong delivered the Participants rated the HEPA Confer- opening address at the ence 2014 positively. They found that conference. Vice President the topics of the presentations and pe- Li highlighted the strong, nal discussions highly relevant to their long-lasting relations be- actual work and that the ample oppor- tween the development of tunities for peer exchanges throughout PKU and the history of the the conference greatly facilitated their country since the universi- professional networking.
PKU-Initiated International Consortium of Chinese Studies Set Sail Heng Kang Wei
n the inaugural meeting hosted Development (NSD) of PKU, with sociology, law and international rela- on April 20th-21 st, 2014, by Peking the aim of enhancing the academic tions. I University (PKU), the Interna- communication and information ex- It was agreed that the ICCS mem- tional Consortium of Chinese Studies change among global Chinese Studies bers would gather in China in even- (ICCS) was officially launched. institutions. The Consortium focuses numbered years, while the other an- The foundation of the ICCS was on various disciplines in social sci- nual meetings would be held abroad, proposed by the National School of ences, including economics, politics, such as the next one that will be held
26 Peking University Newsletter at the University of Oxford in 2015. For this edition, the two-day inau- PKU Signed Agreement with gural meeting was divided into eight sessions on the topics of Industrial the University of Melbourne Policy, Governance, Human Capi- tal and Inequality, Financial Policy, on Collaboration in Psychiatry Political Economy, Social Changes, and Perspectives of Chinese Studies. Research and Training Each session involved at least three Heng Kang Wei presenters from China, Europe, Ja- pan, Korea, Australia and the United he signing ceremony States. of the Psychiatric Re- At the welcome ceremony, PKU T search and Training Professor Wang Enge expressed his cooperation project between congratulation for the launch of Peking University and the the consortium. In his speech, he University of Melbourne mentioned that “during the past two was held in Linhuxuan, or three decades, China’s economy Peking University on April has gone through a groundbreak- 1st, 2014. The ceremony saw ing change and become the second the attendance of Professor largest around the world.” Professor Glyn Davis, Principal of the Wang predicted that future changes University of Melbourne, in this country will have a direct in- and Professor Wang Enge, fluence on the global economy. President of PKU. In Professor Wang’s eyes, the tra- The collaboration will bring to- atry Research at the Sixth Hospital. In ditional theories, mostly based on gether experts in the fields of psychia- the keynote speech, Australian experts experiences from Western countries, try, neurobiology and social psychiatry introduced the results achieved in the are no longer fully reliable guides to from both universities on joint research “image of schizophrenia and autism China or other modern developing and study on the various issues of biomarkers”, “strategies on improving countries.The NSD, dedicated to the mental health, including schizophrenia the mental health of the elderly “and research of the practices of China for and disaster psychology. “psychosocial psychiatric community” decades, is challenged by Professor In addition, a joint doctorate pro- to their Chinese counterparts, to which Wang to grab the chance of the ICCS’s gram and a postdoctoral exchange the Chinese experts contributed to establishment, in order to collaborate program will also be launched under comments. with other members and promote re- this agreement. The signing of the Professor Lu Lin then represented the lated researches. agreement will be instrumental in rais- Sixth Hospital to deliver an introduc- Professor Justin Yifu Lin, Honor- ing the academic profile of the two tion on the achievements attained by the ary Dean of the NSD, addressed on schools in the area of mental health Hospital in the research of depression, his theory of “modern structural eco- research, and will significantly raise the drug dependence neurobiology, clinical nomics” as the opening speaker. He standards of the PhD students in the therapies and sleep disorders. gave specific suggestions on how to field of Psychiatry. The agreement also Subsequently, experts from both support industries with a country’s marks a new high in the decade-long sides conducted in-depth discussions comparative advantages, which will collaboration in the field of mental on topics including “Community result in rapid and sustainable eco- health between the two schools. health and mental disaster: challenges nomic growth. After the signing ceremony, experts in management and opportunities in from both PKU and the University of research” and “Future of Neuroscience Melbourne took part in an interaction and Psychiatry: transition to clinical session hosted by Professor Lu Lin, practice”. Director of the PKU Sixth Hospital. The exchanges and cooperation Subsequently, the Australian experts have deepened the understandings and conducted the firstround of interview exchanges between experts from both for the candidates of the joint doctor- sides and laid the foundation for joint ate program who are recommended by research in the future. It also created the PKU Sixth Hospital. valuable opportunities for students On April 2nd, 2014, the two sides from the Sixth Hospital to study in the held the first joint workshop of Psychi- University of Melbourne.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 27 Campus
Campus over the centuries and people from all over the world now contem- plate the everlasting theme through various languages. The version present- International Youth ed by Peking University students was adapted Classical Drama Festival and directed by the for- Li Wan Ning mer Vice President of Central Drama Acad- emy in Beijing, Profes- n April 16th, 2014, a group of stu- culture com- sor Luo Jinlin, who is dents from Peking University put munication. also a leading figure O up a performance about Oedipus She also hoped that the participants in the study of ancient Greek drama in the King, which is one of the greatest from Peking University would make China. He, together with students from Athenian tragedies, at the Ekklesiaste- good use of this valuable opportunity the drama club at Peking University, rion, a site of ancient Greek theatre. They to make further cultural cooperation reinterpreted this classical work from were the only delegation from China to endeavors between China and Greece. a modern prospective and shortened participate in the International Youth The performance soon began and the it to be a 60-minute play. Throughout Classical Drama Festival held in Meseni, audience could immediately sense the the play, traditional Chinese elements Greece. Although this is only the third solemnity of the great classical tragedy, such as martial arts and Beijing opera year of this classical drama festival, it has which have been painstakingly prepared are also employed. The adapted ver- attracted many lovers of classical drama and presented by Peking University stu- sion of Oedipus the King simplified from more than 14 countries all over the dents on the stage. Although language the theatrical scenery to make it fit for world. Their performances were graced was a barrier, the local audience was still the outdoor stage in Ekklesiasterion, by Mayor of Meseni Mr. Anastasopou- able to grasp the meaning of the play as highlighting the inner conflicts of the los, Vice Mayor Mr. Davillas, Professor a whole due to the actors who were en- core figures and the courage and heroic Themelis, a renowned archaeologist from gaged in their roles. At the climax of the spirits revealed in Oedipus. the University of Crete, Counselor Yi show, some people were even moved Participating in International Youth Ning of the Chinese Embassy in Greece, to tears. All the students were given high Classical Drama Festival was a rare as well as more than 300 local audiences. praise after the outstanding performance, opportunity to showcase the drama In his opening speech, Mr. Anas- and were surrounded by the local people tradition of Peking University to the tasopoulos noted that both China and who were eager to chat and take photos world. The Drama Club at Peking Uni- Greece are famous for their time-hon- with them. The Vice Mayor of Meseni versity was founded in 1972 by Ying ored history and civilization, reflected commented that it was gratifying to wit- Da, an undergraduate of PKU at that especially in their rich heritage of great ness such a wonderful performance in time, who is now a famous director drama works. Many people in Meseni are this year’s International Youth Classical in China. The annual Ju Xing Drama fond of drama and Chinese culture, and Drama Festival delivered by students Competition has also become one of he hoped to have more exchanges with from Peking University, which he regard- the most popular competitions at Pe- China to maintain the deep friendship ed as one of the best he had watched. king University. between Chinese and Greeks. Oedipus the King, also called Oe- The performers of Oedipus the King Counselor Yi Ning expressed her dipus Rex, is the second of Sophocles’ were selected across different faculties gratitude to the committee for provid- three Theban plays, and chronicles the and ages st Peking University. This was ing an excellent platform for cross- story of Oedipus, a man who becomes the first time Chinese university stu- the king of Thebes while in the process dents put up a show in Ekklesiasterion, unwittingly fulfills a prophecy that he the site of an ancient Greek theater would murder his father Laius, and originally established in the third cen- marry his mother Jocasta. The play tury BC. The site was discovered and is regarded as an example of a classic rebuilt by archaeologists in the 1980s. tragedy, noticeably containing an em- The performance can indeed be regard- phasis on how Oedipus’s own faults ed as an important cultural exchange contributing to the tragic hero’s down- experience between Chinese and Greek fall, as opposed to having fate be the youth in the headstream of western sole cause. It has gained its popularity drama culture.
28 Peking University Newsletter ments. There was a member so stressed 2014 Peking University out by his lackluster performance that he quit after we floundered more than twenty Top Ten Singers times at a particular song. But later, we Chen Runxi started to take things more seriously. We sat down and had serious talk on how to ensure that everyone turns up for rehears- rom the office of the Student Union, singers Li Runshi, a local Chinese student als on time. Sometimes our rehearsals were a queue extended three big loops as well as Tang Ziyu, an international stu- really inefficient. It is usual for a group to F around the dormitory area and dent. practice ten songs in a year, but we only scrawled all the way to the canteen—an Jing Tong and Zhou Jin from the OIR managed just four or five songs per year. estimated length of more than three hun- Press Team had the opportunity to inter- Most importantly, we are all perhaps too dred meters. All the queuing students were view Terren Toronto (TT) shortly after the distinctive in our respective fields (of mu- there for the coveted tickets to the PKU Top conclusion of the competition. sic). Ten Singers Final. Some have waited for more than three hours under the scorching OIR: Did you ever think that you could OIR: What are the greatest gains you summer sun just for a chance to watch the be champions? had after forming TerrenTorento? live performance of the Final. TT: We had never really entertained that Tang: I am actually an unmotivated As one of the most popular competi- notion, especially when our rehearsals after person, but I have changed quite a lot in tions on campus, Top Ten Singer Com- entering the semi-finals often turned out the past year. Also, I encountered much dif- petition is annually held around the end less than ideal. We decided to let nature ficulty when I first sang English songs. I am of April at the KhooTeckPuat stadium of take its course and just enjoy the process. actually very bad at English, even though Peking University, which can hold about We were still confident of entering into people automatically assume that I look 2,000 people. This capacity, however, is the top ten, but never did we think that we foreign. In the past, I did not even sing barely enough to meet the demand. This is could claw our way into the top four. So it English songs in KTVs, not to mention per- because the show has never failed to excite was a pleasant surprise when we saw the forming an English song on stage. I have in the past. response of the audience and the scores improved quite a lot, thanks to everyone’s On April 26th, 2014, the show proved given by the judges. We had never envi- help. once again to be a hit. Fifteen singers and sioned this moment. Li: My biggest gain was the change of groups competed for the crown this year. my thought. As a team we must be able The judging panel comprised of famous OIR: Tell us more about your rehearsals. to get along well and in order to ensure musicians and composers from the music TT: As we all love singing, we really our rehearsals to be efficient we must be industry. The show got off to a roaring start enjoyed the rehearsal process. During our on the same level. This is especially im- with an exhilarating opening performance rehearsals, we sometimes improvise on the portant for a team like ours with every- by the champion of last year’s Tsinghua spot and even come up with new songs one having such distinctive music styles. University’s Top Ten Singers Competi- altogether! If we are not of the same skill level, many tion, as well as an exciting dance segment However, we did have our trying mo- problems will arise. performed by Fenglei Crew. Showbiz stars also came to express their support for the competition. JinRunji, a finalist from the Voice of China, a TV singing competition, performed his new song Do You Still Re- member. His performance ignited the hall and won enthusiastic applause from the audience. After a grueling five-hour competition consisting of multiple elimination rounds, the group Terren Toronto emerged as champions, with Xiaolin Ma coming sec- ond and Tiantian Yang and Xi Song tying for the third place.
Interview with the Champion Team
Terren Toronto, the champion team, consisted of five students including lead
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 29 Campus
Producers of “A Bite of China” Visit Peking University Zhang Kexin
and requirements of the project. A Bite of China not only stood out due to its high-standard shooting tech- niques, but also for spearheading the promotion of Chinese culinary culture. Professor Wu Zhipan, Vice President of provement and innovation both in PKU said in his opening speech of the technique and content, which was event, “Eating habit is a shortcut for us shared by the production team with to have a close observation on a certain students. The team used high-definition culture. The documentary contributes cameras during the whole filming, and a lot, for it reveals and communicates spent more than a year to complete it. Chinese civilization in a global scale.” In addition, season two also covers a Following that, the Director of CCTV9 s part of the countdown to the broader geographical area, consisting Documentary Channel gave a brief 11 th annual International Cultur- of more than 30 provinces and cities introduction on the documentary, and A al Festival, the production team in China and abroad. The production provided statistics demonstrating the of the famous documentary A Bite of of the documentary underwent a long huge impact it had scored all over the China visited Peking University on 6th and stringent process. Each Assistant world. April, 2014. The event was held at the Directors had to decide the theme for The producers also held a preview Sunlight Hall of Yingjie Exchange Cen- each episode, and took charge of the of the forth episode, Home Cooking tre. The Director, Chen Xiaoqing, Assis- individual stories in it. After conduct- on scene, which attracted and touched tant Directors of four different episodes ing detailed research into the theme, the students. Afterwards, Professor Chen lei, Hu Lei, Deng Jie, and other the directors wrote a brief outline of Yu Hong, Vice Dean of the School of staff from CCTV9 Documentary Chan- the episode and then had to decide the Journalism and Communication and nel, were at the scene and were warmly specific characters to be focused on in Professor Zhang Yiwu from the Depart- welcomed by hundreds of students in the story, based on the compilation ment of Chinese Language and Litera- attendance.
A Bite of China was first aired in May 2012. As one of the most popu- lar documentaries in China,it was the first time that CCTV have produced a series of documentaries covering tra- ditional Chinese cuisine. The excellent quality, high production standards and the fascinating culinary culture of China contributed to the great success of this documentary. Season one of A Bite of China impressed millions of people and won praise both at home and abroad. Now, the topic of Chinese cuisine is trending once again as the second season of the documentary is currently on air. The second season saw huge im-
30 Peking University Newsletter ture delivered speeches respectively in analyzing the success and the cultural Campus Dramas: value of A Bite of China . The direc- tors and producers also shared their “Pure Literature in Film Era” thoughts and ideas behind the scene Guo Danyang Producers of “A Bite of China” directly with the audience as well. With regards to the stories of the characters’ Visit Peking University life and personal experiences taking Zhang Kexin up more screen time than the food itself, the producers explained that the original purpose of the documentary is to explore the relationship between Chinese people and their food. As a result, they want to express the fea- tures of Chinese people through the uniqueness of their cooking methods. At the core of the documentary, it is the people and their emotions that really matters. Our reporters were given the op- portunity to conduct an exclusive inter- view with the producers and directors, who continued to share more about the ideas and values behind the docu- mentary. When asked about the dif- ficulties and challenges of the filming, Hu Bo emphasized that they focused on the displaying the real essence of n May 9th, 2014, the final of for some years. It originated in the the culinary process without staging or Peking University’s Drama Star summer of 2011, when I went to intervening in any of the process, “this O Contest was held. The two origi- Chongqing for a social investigation in has posed a challenge to filming sched- nal dramas “Good Morning, Mother” a drug rehabilitation center for youth. ules, since many of the cuisine requires and “ROAR, ROAR” were the cham- I did not continue the investigation specific seasonal ingredients and prepa- pion and runner-up respectively. The there, but the mentality of the teenag- ration process. Nonetheless, the team writers of the two dramas, Tuo Lu, Bai ers had aroused my interest, I wanted upheld its value of presenting the real Huiyuan, Shan Dandan are all graduate to write a script about it. At first, I culinary culture without any doctoring students from the Department of Chi- wrote a 20,000 words one-act play of the process. ” nese Language and Literature at PKU. which could last for 2 hours, but in The production team also empha- In addition, they are the co-founders of order to participate in the Drama Star sized that the documentary aimed to “Feng Dan Bai Lu” drama studio. This Contest, I adapted it into a 9500 words present a people-centric view of the year’s competition is a bumper harvest play consisting of three acts. ordinary life of Chinese across different for the studio. In this interview con- provinces, using cooking as a means ducted by PKU Newsletter of Teaching Reporter: Did the three of you co- to appeal to the stomach, but more Promotion, the writers shared their ex- operate in “Good morning, Mom”? importantly the heart. “The focus is perience in the creation of the scripts, Lu: They offered me a lot of impor- not on the food or eating habit, but and the difficulties and challenges they tant inputs. Dandan’s point was that it carries a deeper significance. I recall faced. They also reflected upon their the mother should not be a strong an interviewee who spent 40 minutes passion in drama and their role in the woman in every perspective, but giving a detail description of how to development of campus drama. should confront unfair and difficulties make watermelon sauce. To her, the in the workplace, as female scholars importance is not about the taste, but Reporter: “Good morning, Mother” will need ten times the effort that men the warmth and sense of home.” was praised as a masterpiece by the need to prove their ability. Adding the With this goal in mind, the produc- judges on numerous occasions. It can complexity of the mother constituted tion team of A Bite of China sets forth be seen that you had made a lot of ef- an inner world connection sharing to continue to produce high quality forts in its creation. When did you start shame and darkness, which reached episodes that touch the hearts of mil- writing the script? sympathy based on the understanding lions of viewers. Lu: The script had been conceived of each other. So, in the final version,
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 31 Campus the noble and elegant mother dissected Reporter: “ROAR, ROAR” seems had great respect for her and her writ- her own weakness for the first time. to be too complex for a campus play. ing ability. So, I wrote the first draft of Bai: I am the producer of this play, How did you design the drama struc- the script, and Dan polished it into the and what I did was to recommend ture? second draft, and then we rewrote it actors and directors to the crew. The Bai: The reason why I wrote in such together for more than 10 times, so we actor played the son, Sheng Yuanfei, a way was due to some comments I are both the first authors. is renowned at PKU as one of the best received during last year’s competi- actors in the drama contest. My rec- tion. For the drama “Mahjong” which Reporter: Which part of this novel ommendation of him was because I I wrote and directed last year, a judge moves you? think he is the rare actor at PKU who said that the campus stage was not suit- Bai: There is a detail in this short can perform the character of wicked. able for realistic dramas, and he hoped story, which I think could only be In contrary, Fan Zijin, who played the to see more fresh campus dramas. I written by a woman, that a girl who mother, was like a blank sheet of pa- do not agree with him. So I decide to left home and worked in Beijing was per. I think she was very relaxed when prove that he is wrong through this watching a TV documentary at home. she was acting, so I introduced her to work, that campus dramas should The documentary told a story of the Lu. As for the director Zu Jiyan, I think not be just a light and fresh white T- last lion in Zambia National Park she has a precise understanding of art, shirt and jeans, and it can consist of whose families were all shot dead by which has shown through the excellent violence, blood and murder. My scripts poachers. She was lonely and fell in use of the elements of painting. She start from the campus, but would never love with the wild animal photogra- was always very demanding for herself, stop within the campus. “Campus pher who was the only living creature and had made arduous efforts to real- drama” should not be fixed in pattern around. Every night she roared on the ize her ideas. or category, and I just wanted to write plain. Later, the girl broke up with her an anti-traditional campus drama. boyfriend, and she dreamed of being Reporter: We also found that the a lion, chasing after the scientists’ car. dramas in final four were all concern- Reporter: This play was not re- The scene impressed me very much. ing the tense relationship between vealed until the semi-finals. It must be There was a distinct feminist stance father and son. Does this means there hard to choose actors, and for actors of using the lion as a metaphor for fe- was an obvious consciousness about it to get used to each other and cooperate male, for it emphasized her dignity, but in campus play’s creation? tacitly in so short a time. she is still an animal. There was also Bai: This is an unavoidable fact for Bai: I was the judge during the pre- a stance of Foucault; her “savage” is every person of our generation. It’s liminaries, which offered me opportu- defined as savage, reflecting that female related to the experience of growing nities to see more actors. Gao Yuan, the did not get the position of human be- up as the only child. The reason why actress who played the role of the lion ing in society. So this symbol is also we focused on this topic is a probable went with the best supporting actress critical. indication that we are sincere in return- in one of the sub match. Her voice and ing to our own life experience. her physical performance were impres- Reporter: How did Dan got the Lu: It also has something to do with sive. However, their play did not make idea of this detail? our age and life experience. For us, the it to the semi-finals, so Dandan and I Dan: This was kind of my personal “birth experience” may be richer than invited her to join in our crew, and the experience. At that time I interned at a “life experience”, so we have a deeper result proved that we made the right newspaper and was feeling bored, and and clearer recognition for ourselves. pick. that is when I imagined the terrible Maybe we will conceived new thoughts Bai: We got inspiration from a short loneliness I would feel if I keep go- after we enter the society, but the very story written by Dandan called “Ma di ing on the path. Then, I saw “The Last first step of going beyond the campus Tau of Tuanjie Lake”, which can now Lion”, and in the documentary, the drama, is getting to know more about be read from the website Douban. I narrator said that Ma di Tau was actu- our father generation. wrote the script with Dan because I ally very lonely both psychological and physiological. In fact, this turned out to be a motif of “ROAR ROAR”. Bai later came up with the point of “splice”, and Maybe we will conceived new thoughts after I did not regard it as a gimmick, for everyone knows what it means. Its psy- we enter the society, but the very first step of chological demands cannot be satisfied going beyond the campus drama, is getting either. Maybe all of the craziness was to know more about our father generation. an illusion because his lack of satisfac- tion. He finally got on the “normal” way of life.
32 Peking University Newsletter “Campus drama” should not be fixed in Guardian pattern or category, and I just wanted to Angels of PKU’s write an anti-traditional campus drama. Stray Cats Wang Chao
Reporter: But “splice” still aroused tor Almodovar, who is accustomed to strong reaction from the audience. many taboos of ethics. Just like Todo There was lots of laughter under the sobre mi madre, although there are stage. Was this what you have expected? taboos of transsexuals and AIDS, the Bai: I was satisfied with the audi- eternal message of motherhood is still ence’s responses. Of course there will touching. The high degree of tolerance ardly anyone would not be enter- be some obstacles of accepting at first. and acceptance to unconventional tained by the furry cats strolling or During the last scene, no one laughed, ethics is a real symbol of civilization. H basking lazily in the warm after- and some even cried, which meant we There is a scene in his The Skin I Live. noon sunlight on the campus of Peking had successfully established a set of In that the man who tries to assault University. As the members of the“Lost rules within the play. I understand that wore a sexy and cute tiger-skin suits, Angel”, a voluntary student association the confident expression of human- which even suspenses the moral judg- at PKU that cares for stray cats on cam- beast relationship in this drama had ment. There must be passion first and pus, put it, the stray cats are‘lost angels’. challenged some people’s ethic bound- thought later. The association’s major mission is to care aries, but to be honest, I felt good Dan: I mainly changed the scenes of for the docile feline creatures that were about challenging morality. lovers and father. The father in this play rescued after being abandoned by their Dan: Actually, the love between hu- is a humanities professor who indulged owners and now roam on the campus. man and beast was a serious topic in in the spiritual world and struggled in this play, for if there was never an equal reality. So we designed the father to sit relation between men and women, in a wheelchair so that his action was Caring for the Cats how can we discuss love? Is this kind of limited. Besides, I also spent a lot of love possible? time constructing his death scene. I felt The number of recorded cats living that something must happen on him on campus is in the vicinity of 80, a drop Reporter: The play was quite dif- before he died. The courage he showed from the recorded 100 in 2012. However, ferent from Dan’s original short story. when he met Sphinx reflects the differ- the actual number is probably twice Where else did you get the inspiration ence between him and his son. The son the recorded number. Most of the cats for the play? locked himself into the cage, while the keep their distance from humans, which Bai: Besides the short story, the old man went out of the cage and con- implies that the cats that are frequently thought of “anti-campus drama” has fronted Sphinx and made the speech spotted only make up a small percentage also played an important role, which before he died, which made us cried of the actual cat population on campus. reflected in the drama as Ban Ma was during rehearsals. One of the daily routines, and prob- doing experiment and writing thesis ably the most well-known activity of the under the father’s pressure. I started Reporter: Using the chorus to leave Lost Angel Association engages in is feed- writing the play when the winter vaca- footprints on him to symbolize the ing the cats. Every afternoon, members tion began. My mother was worried lion bite and the lion’s kiss of death of the Lost Angel Association will spend that I could not find a job, and I was were wonderful as well. nearly an hour walking to the various lo- under great pressure as well, talking Bai: I think that is where I learnt cations where the cats commonly assem- with my mother during the day and from Dan and where I made my ble, and leave cat food for them. There is writing the script at night. The creation progress from last year to this year. a prevalent notion among students that process was very tiring. When I was Last year’s “Mahjong” was strong on the Lost Angel Association feeds the cats unable to carry on writing, I slipped concept but flat on characters. But this so well that they have become plump. out and had a walk in a world of ice time the characters were much more Yet, many more are in fact much thinner and snow. Song Dongye’s song “Zebra, complex, which could easily bring the and suffer from malnutrition. In many Zebra” is also the original inspiration audience into the right mood. The cases, cats that are smaller in size fail to of this play. The first time I listened to character that we changed most is Ban compete with the stronger cats for the it in my hometown, I cried and was Ma who was just like ourselves. In fact, food that Lost Angel Association leaves really moved. I would also like to men- the weaker the character is, the more behind. tion the influence of the Spanish direc- difficult to shape. Many of the cats are afraid of humans,
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 33 Campus
presenting another major obstacle to take into consideration the efficiency of for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the Association’s efforts. Mo Chengxian, money spent on medical treatment, and (ASPCA). Studies have been conducted Director of Campus Affair Department sometimes this means giving up on seri- to gauge the effectiveness of CNR show of the Lost Angel Association, recalls that ously ill cats. In contrast, the Lost Angel that the procedure works to trim the a cat named Lychee was badly ill, but Association tries their best to provide for population of cats, and at the same time several attempts to send her for medical each individual treatment, partly due to mediate the conflicts that frequently take treatment failed as Lychee was too afraid the relatively smaller cat population on place between humans and animals. In of human contact. When the Association campus. Fortunately, it is rare that such addition, Mo believes that CNR is benefi- members finally got near her, it was al- serious cases occur. cial to cats as well. “Cats born in the wild ready too late. Lychee passed away on the can hardy survive,” said Mo, “They are way to the vet. usually a huge burden to their mothers, Stray cats face various dangers on a Controversy and Dilemma since they are already exceptionally weak daily basis. Hunger and illness are some after birth but still have to care for the of the major threats to their survival. Contrary to popular belief, the pri- young. Moreover, neutered female cats Conflicts with stray dogs also resulted mary goal of the Lost Angel Association often lead a healthier life, as they have a in a sharp decline in the campus cat is not to protect the stray cats, but to lower risk of uterus lesion. Rutting cats population. While on their daily rounds control the population in order to main- will make a lot of noises, and male cats to feed the cats, association members tain the balance between animals and are very likely to make a mess by peeing will keep an eye on abnormities that humans, as well as to ensure the survival all around campus. ” the cats may display. When common of the current cat population on cam- Admittedly, the humanitarian aspect symptoms of illnesses such as oral dis- pus. As Mo Chengxia explains, this is in of CNR is still controversial. However, eases or auricular mites are detected, the accordance with a standard known as the voices of opposition do not have a afflicted cats will be taken to nearby vet Catch Neuter Return (CNR), which has better solution for the complex problems clinics as soon as possible. Many NGOs been adopted by many well-organized of stray cats either. Sadly, CNR is the that work with stray animals will usually NGOs, including the American Society choice that poses the least harm for ev-
34 Peking University Newsletter eryone. Apart from the work described, the Turning the Wheel of Seasons Lost Angel Association also seeks human The 2nd Annual Show by the PKU Dance Sport Association families for healthy cats that interact well Liu Susu with humans. The information is posted on a website called Movshow. The Asso- ciation will assess the credibility of peo- ple who show interest in adoption, and will urge them to provide an appropriate ith intense preparation through- Looking around, she realized that her living environment for the cats. The se- out the semester, continuous lover was gone, along with the white lection of adopters is a discreet and dif- W training for 40 days, the PKU silk cloth that she intended to commit ficult process. “We interview applicants. Dance Sport Association put up a perfor- suicide with. Moved but at the same time If some of our conditions for adoption mance with the title of Flipped for the frustrated, the girl tried, in vain, to locate are not met, or if we get the impression Dance in May, in which contains a team them again. that the applicant just wants the cat on a of 7 coaches and 100 performers, and 21 In her cha-cha-cha performance, Feng whim, then we will not approve the ap- wonderful segments for 500 audiences. takes the lead, which is a part usually plication,” said Mo. With the segments arranged in the order reserved for the man. Feng plays a man of the seasons, each performance tells who is deeply attracted by the nurse, a different story, be it a love fantasy, an but caught by the doctors in time. The Doing as Much as They can adventure or even a seemingly ridiculous dramatic story, comedic music, and dream. The show also featured perfor- exhilarating choreography made this Groups like the Lost Angel Associa- mances by students outside of the Dance performance an unforgettable one for all tion are often frustrated by the lack of Sport Association, including a Mongolia of the audience. Through this segment, funds. For instance, the cats should ide- dance segment performed by the PKU Feng exhibited a different side of her ally be fed twice a day. However, the lack Dance Team. inner character, which is full of passion of funds (and manpower) result in only and forcefulness. a single meal for the cats each day. In addition, only the cheapest cat food can Feng Xuehan – A Multifaceted Performer be afforded. Fortunately, the Association can still make ends meet. Donations Having learned ballroom dancing from the public are the main source of for 7 years, Feng Xuehan can be said to the Association’s finances, together with be a veteran performer. She earned her help given by some larger organizations. bachelor degree at Beijing Sport Univer- For instance, Lucky Cats, a Beijing-based sity and is currently pursuing a Master’s volunteer group, as well as China Small degree in Sports Humanistic Sociology at Animal Protection Association had im- Peking University. This year, she served as parted experiences and donated kitty lit- both the host and performer of the show. ter boxes to the Lost Angel Association. Through the two elaborately choreo- graphed dances that she put up, which Though members of the Lost Angel consisted of a modern Foxtrot routine, as Association try their best to care for those well as a cha-cha-cha segment, she fully creatures, reality often hits hard. Many demonstrated her virtuosity and passion lives have come and gone, with little for ballroom dancing in her perfor- that the Association could do. Mo still mance. ponders on what the former President of For the foxtrot dance, the background the Association said to her when she first was set to be in the period of the Repub- entered the Association, as it remains lic of China. Feng portrayed a girl who etched in her mind. “One day, when you is desperately longing for her missing truly understand the situation we are in, lover, to the extent that she contemplated a sense of powerlessness will probably ending her life by hanging herself with haunt your heart. Hard as it may be, we a white silk cloth. In the midst of her still have to do as much as we can.” anguish, she fell asleep and had a dream. In the dream, her beloved man returned, The future of stray cats remains bright, and they danced together in happiness. because their guardian angels are doing As the music became faint and the light as much as they can. grew dim, the girl woke up in surprise.
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Cen Cheng – A Doctor Who can Hit the love story in a slow and soft Rumba y name is Heng Kang Wei and Dance Floor routine, featuring the fearlessness, fragile I come from the lovely sunny dreams and fantasies of youth. M island of Singapore. I am cur- Cen Cheng is a medical student who rently a sophomore at the School of is not contented with just spending her International Studies, and serve as days in the lab. Her feet will move auto- Group Performances the Editor-in-Chief of Peking Uni- matically whenever the music begins to versity Newsletter, a magazine issued play. Cen has taken up Latin for more The other performances at the show by Peking University Office of Inter- than 5 years.In this year’s show, she put did not pale in comparison. The group national Relations. This means that I up three dance segments, “Runaway dances, in particular, wowed the audi- am the editor in charge of the articles Baby” (a Jive dance), “Carmen Fantasy” ence with their precise coordination and that you read in this very publication. (a Paso Doble dance) and “Who” (a dancing prowess. The opening show It is a wonderful privilege for me to Rumba dance), demonstrating her excel- featured a tango dance named “The Last be able to take this opportunity to lence in the various styles of Latin dance. Snow Blossom”. The fast tempo created reflect upon my life at Peking Univer- In addition, Cen switched dancing part- an energy-charged atmosphere, as female sity for the past two years, as it had ners for each different routine, adding to dancers swirled like falling snowflakes in indeed been an eye-opening and life the difficulty of her segments. their long white dresses. changing experience to be here in “Runaway Baby” was presented with The second annual performance of China, at a time of rapid growth and the accompaniment of merry music. the PKU Dance Sport Association ended massive change. Cen was dressed in a striking pink skirt, with “Goodbye My Youth”, the Latin Jive Since I first arrived at Beijing on which was matched with a big pink bow group dance that sought to portray the August 2012, it has been more than that added youthful vigor to her and the various moods that one goes through 600 days. Within this short period performance. during the period of youth, including of time, I have already witnessed so You may have heard of the story of that of happiness, excitement, surprise, many changes in China and within Carmen and the opera, but have you fear and sadness. Many in the audience Peking University itself. The efforts watched a Latin dance adaptation of Car- were visibly affected by the somber at- that had been put into moderniza- men before? Based on the story of Car- mosphere, making it a perfect final piece tion and development have been men, “Carmen Fantasy” is a story about to conclude the show. astonishing. To be so far away from an obstinate yet charming gypsy girl and “I came here expecting to see a stu- home and to be plunged into this a brave matador. Through the powerful dents’ performance, but never did I fast-moving environment, most music and dance, Cen’s performance expect such professionalism!” remarked of us will experience the vertigo painted a vivid image of Carmen to the Chen Ming Juan, an audience who at- brought about from changes. With- audience. tended the performance for the first time. in the university itself, there are a In Cen’s third and final dance routine, “This seems like a professional show. We lot of exciting events and changes she and her third dancing partner pre- look forward to an even more exciting that are happening all of time, like sented the audience with a heart-broken show next year!” new schemes, new programs, new research and exchange opportuni- ties. Till this day, I still get a lot of questions from peers about my decision to study here at Peking University. From the start, as an ethnic Chinese whose ancestors left China close to 200 years ago, there is something in my heart which have pushed me to come to this land to search for my roots. This is a unique draw for all overseas Chi- nese, in terms of the passion for our cultural and heritage. With China becoming an economic and politi- cal powerhouse, the condition and prospect of coming to China have never been so great as well. It can never be compared to the comfort
36 Peking University Newsletter Column
At the Forefront of News: “Newsletter” Editor-in-Chief, Heng Kang Wei Heng Kang Wei
of home, but the excitement and is exhited by the wide variety of the uncertainty of the quick pace of school activities you can participate growth can also be a charm point in, with many giving you the oppor- for us youth, who is seeking our tunity to immerse in various aspects role as global citizens. I may be of PKU’s unique culture. wrong to say this, but I stand firm Personally, I think that for for- that there is no other place on Earth eign students, the involvement in where you can be part of such excit- various student societies is especial- ing change and growth, especially ly important to us as it provides a when you aspire to be a responsible sense of belonging away from home. and well-informed global citizen. The societies become our second Nonetheless, it is still an uncon- home where we are a part of. It also ventional choice to choose Peking acts as a unique window for us to University, when my peers back interact with local Chinese, working home are leaving for the UK and the together regardless of origins and US for their undergraduate studies. specialization. Moreover, the “role- What I gained, however, is a unique playing” aspect is especially crucial education with a strong focus on for us, as we are able to take on humanitarian aspect. I can sense a different roles and responsibilities lot of pride with regards to the cul- based on our interests and abilities. ture and heritage of Peking Univer- For there is no other opportunity sity and China as a whole, and this once we leave schools and step into has changed the way of I look at the the working world, this will allow world. us to identify whether our passion The experience here at Peking and interest can be a future career University opens my perspective. option for us. it provided me with a deep sense of Though I may not agree every of the Here at Peking University, I was belonging to Peking University. views and perspectives of my pro- given many opportunities to explore In particular, here at the PKU OIR fessors and my peers, it i useful and my passion in politics and journal- News Team, we are given the unique enriching to be able to reflect upon ism. Other than my commitments opportunity to be at the forefront of the way they think about certain here at the PKU OIR News team, I PKU’s international collaboration issues, and the difference in the val- also participated in the Asian Inter- endeavor. Our shadows can be seen ues that we hold. The clash in ideas national Model United Nations (AI- during all visitations and meetings is something that we, as foreign stu- MUN), where I serve as the Academ- by the school leaders with foreign dents, can take away from, and be- ic Director. On top of that, I was guests, where we provide coverage comes a bridge between China and also appointed Deputy Editor-in- which can be read from the OIR our countries. Chief at the School of International website and through publications Life at Peking University is not Studies News Center. These societies such as Peking University Newslet- just about academics, as I find that have given me different perspectives ter. We are not only at the forefront more of my time is spent on stu- and chances to engage in profes- of news, but we can also provide dents’ organizations and societies. sional work. “Seek and you shall our contribution in maintaining ties Like a masked superhero, we live an find”, if one is willing to put in the between PKU and other universities, alter ego through our involvements efforts to try and strive, one shall especially for sister universities to in various student organizations. find many windows to have a ful- be in touch with the various news The richness of PKU’s student life filling four years. More importantly, and updates in PKU.
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 37 Column
can play in facilitating greater under- standing between people from both Hugging for countries.
Sino-Japanese Friendship Interviewer: What do you think the Founded by Japanese Exchange Students of Peking University relationship between Japan and China is like? Xu Zi Kenta Maruyama: To be honest, currently it is not looking well in terms of the political aspect. However, when we look at the economy, people to n April 10th, 2014 at the bustling versity. people exchanges and links between shopping district of Wangfu- According to them, this “Hug the two countries, it has not been af- O jing in Beijing, and on April Group”, consisting of a total of 23 fected. This is something to be happy 13th, 2014 at Yuyuantan Park, several members from both Peking University about. I believe that economic interac- Peking University’s Japanese exchange and Beijing Foreign Studies University, tions and people to people ties should students from Waseda University held has been set up for half a year. The spearhead the efforts in the improve- signs saying “Hug to promote friend- hugging activity has been held twice, ment of ties. ship between China and Japan”. They with the first time consisting of six peo- attracted the attention of passersby, ple, and the second time involved eight Interviewer: In which way do you and tried to hug them. Their hugging people. In addition to free hugs, they think that the “Hug Group” can help activity has aroused wide discussion, also organized a Sino-Japanese student with Sino-Japanese relations? including coverage from Japan’s “Asahi choir. Kenta Maruyama: What we are Shimbun”, China Daily and other me- The students felt that the activities doing might not be so significant dia outlets. are very meaningful, and promoted to the improvement of ties, but it In order to have a better under- it actively through the use of social highlights the importance of people standing of this group of students, and media such as YouTube. According to people interaction in facilitating their rationale behind organizing such to them, they received numerous political reconciliation. We are tak- an activity, our reporter spoke with feedbacks from many Japanese back ing a small step to reach out to our members of the group, including Kenta home, who said that they get to know Chinese counterparts, and we hope Maruyama, Kohei Watanabe and Shi- China better after watching the vid- this small gesture will be the starting zukaImaeda, all of which are exchange eos. point for something bigger. This will students from Waseda University and During the interview, Kenta Maruyama take time and efforts to show its ef- currently pursuing study at the School shared his insights into the current Sino- fect, but we do hope for the improve- of International Relations, Peking Uni- Japanese relations, and the role students ment of ties in future.
Interviewer: Do you think that there are other ways we can do to improve Sino-Japanese relations? Kenta Maruyama: Other than our hugging activity, we are also organizing a Japanese-Chinese choir performance. Weaims to emphasize the importance of non-political interaction and ties between the two countries and the sig- nificant role it can play to improve the relations of the two countries. People from Japan should reflect upon what they can do to reach out to people from China, and vice versa. Every small effortcounts.
Interviewer: What kind of role do you think young people play in pro- moting the relationship? Kenta Maruyama: Young people are
38 Peking University Newsletter full of energy and can take the initiative and play a proactive role in organiz- ing and participating in these outreach My Experience at Waseda University: activities. The future is ours and we can shape positive Sino-Japanese relations The Same Japan, for the future by starting early. the Different Feelings Interviewer: What in particular Zhou Jin would you like other Japanese to know about China? Kenta Maruyama: Contrary from what we can see online, Chinese peo- ple are quite friendly. There are a lot of negative comments online that might derail the efforts for closer people to people relationship. Generally, when you get the opportunity to interact with them, most Chinese are warm-hearted and wish to see improved Sino- Japa- nese relations.
Interviewer: Since you are going back to Japan soon after the exchange program ends, do you have any plan for the future of “Hug Group” or oth- er activities about Japan and China? Kenta Maruyama: Well, what we are doing here is only a start. We do hope that our legacy can be carried on by our juniors, and that they will find new and innovative ways to reach out. The Chinese students are also very sup- portive of our efforts. I believe that it is a common goal for students from both countries for better relations, and such activities will be continued with such a goal in mind. e Qixi is a doctoral student from the School of Foreign Languages, G Peking University. In the autumn went to many different places and I have Conclusion of 2012, he went to Waseda University gotten so much from the unique experi- in Japan as an exchange student for one ence. Every morning, I would wake up To sum up, we can see that al- academic year. His research focus was in a brand new place, and each night, I though there might be Sino-Japanese on the Japanese history of thoughts. would sleep beside the neon lights. tensions, there are a lot of things He has published several papers and In fact, this was the second time that I that students can do to help people has worked as an interpreter for a long went to Japan. Compared to Kyoto, which from both countries to better under- period of time. Currently, he serves as a I visited last time, Tokyo is much more of stand their counterpart. The exchange teacher for Japanese Language at Peking an international metropolis, and the pace students from Waseda Universities, University and also teaches at the Beijing of this city is much faster than Kyoto too. through their small actions, have International Studies University. This ar- Every day when I walk along the streets, I reach out to touch the hearts of many ticle is about the memory of his story at will always see the bustling crowd moving Chinese, and at the same time enable Waseda, recording every piece of his life forward like a humming bird. Although youths from their own country to try when studying abroad. I have experienced the fast pace of life in to understand China as well. With Kyoto, I still felt the tension of Japanese accumulated efforts, we can look A year flies by very quickly. Studying lifestyle right in every corner of Tokyo. The forward to better relations between at Waseda University in Tokyo for a year crowd gathered at the crossroads, the coats, China and Japan. is very important experience for me. I suits and school uniforms that passed by
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 39 Column
me in the subway station, the lights in the offices when the neon lights has been turned on…… Kyoto, Tokyo——Tokyo, Kyoto, my memory is wandering between this two cities. The most obvious thing that Tokyo differs from Kyoto is the rich cultural elements. In Tokyo, you can taste all kinds of dishes from all over the world, and at the same time, you can meet people come from any other country. For instance, some of my classmates are foreign students from China, Korea, America, Britain, Australia, Germany, French, Italia, Hungary, Rus- sia, Romania, Republic of Lithuania and Malaysia. While interacting with them, I got to know various forms of culture such as pickles of Korea, snail feast of French, the liquor of Russia and the paintings of Romania. What surprised me most was their strong interest and curiosity in the Chinese culture. Some of them had been understanding of China surprised me a special person to direct traffic. After the to China for several times to experience the a lot. In my daily contact with most of completion of the construction, there is characteristics of different areas of China, the Japanese, I find that when they talk hardly any traces left behind. Every day and some of them even could talk to me about China, there is no difference from during school dismissal, there will be with simple Chinese! Meeting these friends talking about other countries. They tend public broadcast reminding people to who were interested in other cultures in a to be more objective when they evaluate protect the safety of children. Living in foreign country really enriched my life. In the Chinese, rarely mixed with strong Tokyo, you can feel the respect for the this city filled with strangers, they made me personal feelings. By the subtle influence vulnerable groups in every corner of the feel like being right at home. of this kind of idea, over time I have dis- city, and the warmth in the city of rein- As far as I am concerned, I think the missed my suspicion that the Japanese forced concrete. When you are rushing following three aspects are effective for look down on the Chinese. From the into the elevator, there will be a grandma us to learn about Japan and its culture. international level, it should be said that with silver hair pushing the button for adhering to the principle of objectivity in you with a kind smile; when you feel evaluation will be more beneficial to the homesick during Christmas, the hotpot Objective Evaluation promotion of mutual understanding of restaurant with the smell of soup and the each other. cheerful laughter of the shop owner will First, we must adhere to the principle ease your mind. of objectivity in our evaluation. On the understanding of each other, people be- Respect and Love for Human as a Start- tween the two countries have enormous ing Point Sharing Step by Step differences. When it comes to Japan, there are no more than two kinds of mentality . The second is the respect for the The third is the prevailing school spirit Some Chinese immediately connect Japan people. It is not only embodied in the and consciousness of sharing academic to the history of invasion and the pres- interpersonal communication, but also resources. As is known to all, through- ent political situation, and the emotion reflected in many details in life. out the streets you can find many Japa- of aversion rising naturally. On the other In Japan, for example, when you cross nese second-hand bookstores which hand, there is also another group that has a the road, as long as you obey the traffic offer a wide array of books ranging from strong preference for Japan due to his per- rules, there is no need to look around, astronomy to geography for you to gulp. sonal experience and family background. because all vehicles will give way to pe- On the subway, you can see Japanese They would list things such as Japanese destrians. Traffic lights are accompanied engage in reading rather than calling, anime, high technology electronics, and re- by different voices in order to facilitate playing their mobile phones or speaking liable cars as the reasons for why they look the blind to cross. Street construction is loudly like Chinese. Ads on the subway at Japan fondly. generally done in the morning and eve- also give priority to education, job ap- Chinese people’s emotion about ning so as to neither disturb people, nor plication and cultural promotion. As Japan is quite complicated. By contrast, affect their rest. At the construction site, long as it is not very rare material, the during my stay in Japan, the Japanese there will always be a security fence and information in university library is easy
40 Peking University Newsletter to approach, providing no hindrance to ies. Knowing it superficially, I cannot not reveal their true feelings, causing data collection. This subjective desire for avoid the limitations and bias. There is misunderstanding too. knowledge and objective convenience of no doubt that Japan has a lot not that At the end I want to say that in the academic resources sharing are both es- desired, such as no accommodation for process of cultural exchanges, each sential factors to promote the academic principles, which sometimes give a sense culture has its own cultural boundar- prosperity of a country. of rigidity. There are also strict boundar- ies and subjectivity. Cultural exchange Having lived in Japan for only a ies between people when they interact, should seek common ground while year, although I have walked through for they valued personal space and reserving differences. No one is likely the streets and alleys in Tokyo and hierarchy. Although the Japanese pay at- to point out the future direction of the Kyoto, but I cannot confidently say that tention to the etiquette and the feelings two countries and the path that they I have grasped the pulse of the two cit- of others, but most of the time they will should go along.
Giving
Establishment of Tang Hong Kong Bai Xian Educational Lixin Educational Fund Fund Donated to Yenching Academy Chia Wai Kian Chia Wai Kian n May 12th , 2014, a ceremony was held at Peking Uni- n the eve of Pe- versity to mark the donation of 1.5 million yuan by king University’s O Mr. Tang Lixin, chairman of Xin Shang Group, towards O 11 6 th anniversary, the establishment of the Tang Lixin Educational Fund at PKU. Hong Kong Bai Xian Ed- The fund is divided into different kinds of scholarships and ucational Fund signed teaching awards. The Educational Fund, with its broad aims of a donation agreement developing talent, nurturing teachers and supporting campus with Peking University culture, will support a wide range of activities such as overseas on May 3th, 2014, pledg- exchanges and entrepreneurial competitions. ing to support Yenching At the ceremony, Professor Wang Enge, President of PKU, Academy’s infrastructure development. At the same time, Bai expressed his gratitude for Mr.Tang’s generous donation. Xian will establish a Future Asian Leader Scholarship to fund Professor Wang affirmed the importance of the Tang Lixin 20 Asian students who are going to enrol in Yenching Acad- Educational Fund to the development of talents and teaching emy and take up the Master’s programme in Chinese studies. quality at PKU. At the ceremony, Mr. Cao Qiyong, founder and chairman Mr. Tang Lixin, in his speech, stated that it was always his of Bai Xian Educational Fund, was invited as an honorary wish to contribute to the development of PKU. He argued that trustee of PKU. In his speech, Mr Cao expressed his desire to entrepreneurs like himself, should not only be concerned with work hand in hand with PKU to cultivate the next generation the nation’s economic progress but also shoulder the respon- of elites who are able to contribute to the prosperity and sta- sibility of social development. bility of Chia, Asia and the world. Zhu Shanlu, Chairman of PKU Council, and Professor Wang Enge, President of PKU, both expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the support provided by Mr. Cao and Bai Xian Educational Fund in the establishment of the Yenching Academy.
How to Give Peking University Education Foundation
Tel: 86-10-62767821 fax: 86-10-62755998 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pkuef.org
SUMMER 2014 | Issue 27 41 Linhuxuan (The Lakeview House)
Linhuxuan, or known as the Lakeview House, is one of the oldest cultural relics that can be found on the Yanyuan Campus. It was formerly known as Lin Feng Dai Yue Lou, which refers to the building as one that faces the breeze from Weiming Lake while waiting for the moon to appear. It received its name Linhuxuan in 1931 from Bing Xin, a well-known female writer in China.
Located on the small hill of the western side of the Weiming Lake, it is surrounded by dense vegetation to the northwest, and shielded from the glaring sun by bamboos to the south. From afar, it is almost hidden away from curious eyes with only its rooftop can be seen. While Linhuxuan may be small in its size, it has big stories to tell. It survived the destruction of the Shuchun Yuan in the 1860s, and was subsequently restored by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Currie as a form of gift to the President of Yenching University, John Leighton Stuart. In the 1920s, Linhuxuan was where Mr. Stuart stayed and received visitors. John Leighton Stuart had great influence for being a former U.S Ambassador to China, and for founding Yenching University. As an American, he spent most of his life in China. He once wrote, “For most part of my life, China is my home. I was not only born in that country but also closely linked to it and its people spiritually.”
Linhuxuan was once used as the residence for the President of Peking University. Today, Linhuxuan is a reception room for university leaders to receive foreign visitors, including government leaders, experts and scholars. As the former residence of John Leighton Stuart, it also serves as a form of memorial to this great educator.
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