Confucius CELEBRATE THE FIRST CONFUCIUS DAY, Institute. 27 SEPTEMBER 2014

Newsletter December 2014 I Number 14 I First Visit Founding Director General of ’s Confucius Institutes Honoured by the (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/honorary-degree- University of Sheffield for-confucius-founder-1.415082)

On 27 October 2014, at a special degree ceremony in Beijing, the University of Sheffield has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters to Madame Xu Lin, the Director General of Hanban – the Office of Chinese Language Council International – and Chief Executive of the Headquarters.. As a Chemist and Economist by training, Madame Xu Lin has successfully overseen the development of the concept of the Confucius Institute around the globe as a non-profit public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. The idea being to promote and teach Chinese language and culture around the world. The first institute was opened in Seoul, South Korea, in 2004 and there are now over 480 Confucius Institutes in dozens of countries on six continents. Madam Xu, said “There are more than 10,000 teachers and volunteers in overseas Confucius Institutes. They are the living embodiment of China and Chinese culture.” She considered Sheffield University to be one of the best Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett and Madame Xu Lin in the world, and was pleased to share her graduation in Beijing with over 60 Chinese undergraduate and universities in the UK to host a Confucius Institute, and in 2010 was postgraduate from The University of Sheffield. She also noted that, of all named Confucius Institute of the Year. The degree ceremony was part of honorary degrees she had received, this was the first time the President a 10-day visit to China by the Vice-Chancellor looking into partnerships of the University had addressed her in Chinese. The Vice-Chancellor and research in such areas as sustainable energy. The University of paid tribute to Madame Xu saying “It was a delight and honour to Sheffield is working with two of China’s leading higher education admit Madame Xu Lin to a degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa institutions, Beijing Language and Culture University and the University at The University of Sheffield’’. Sheffield University was one of the first of Nanjing.

Inside ..... Page 1: Founding Director General of China’s Confucius Page 5: SCI 3rd Business seminar with MADE Institutes Honoured by the University of Sheffield Entrepreneur Festival Page 2: A Word from our Director Page 6: Chinese Opera and Art Performance Page 7: Tour de France Page 2: “China and MDGs: Progress and Challenges” Page 8: New Opportunities: SCI supply activities Page 3: Confucius Institute held a Special Lecture for Sheffield’s and classes for local Businesses literary festival ‘Off the Shelf’ Page 4: Celebrations of 10 Anniversary Year Partnership with China and Sheffield Confucius institute “Confucius Institute Day”.

Newsletter 14 I December 2014 Page 1 A word from our Director Confucius Institute Seminar:

This edition of SCI “China and MDGs: newsletter brings to a close the events of Progress and Challenges” a most memorable year. So many On 17 October, the Confucius Institute hosted a landmark events seminar along with the University of Sheffield during took place in the city which Dr. Esuna Dugarova enlightened the audience this year and SCI on the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). were there as usual at the heart of the Esuna Dugarova is a action. Research Fellow at the United Nations First and foremost we Research Institute for Dr. Lucy Zhao, Director, Confucius were delighted that the Social Development Institute at the University of Sheffield Vice Chancellor travelled where she specialises to China to deliver an in social dimensions Honorary Doctorate of of sustainable Letters to Madame Xu Lin, the Director General of Hanban. This development, including was an amazing event in itself but other land mark events were the social policy in emerging 10th Anniversary of Confucius Institutes worldwide and the Global Esuna Dugarova answers questions from and developing the audience Confucius Day; not forgetting the Tour De France Grand Depart event. countries.

The highlights of the CI Anniversary week must be the SCI business Following Dr. Lucy Zhao’s introduction, Dr. Dugarova explained that seminar at the MADE international Entrepreneur Business Festival the current global development agenda that is centered on the MDGs in the City Hall. Nick Patrick from South Yorkshire International were officially established by the United Nations in 2000. A total of 189 Trade and his team helped facilitate its success through his client United Nations member states are committed to achieve 8 globally Congratulations! network. Then we celebrated the Art and Beijing Opera evening at the agreed goals by 2015 in the areas of poverty alleviation, education, Montgomery Hall Sheffield. Both were outstanding landmarks with gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental sustainability, SCI’s involvement with MADE festival in particular, a testament to just reducing diseases such as HIV/AIDS and building a global partnership how far we have come in one year. To be accepted as a key player in for development. MDGs have become an important standard for this event shows the degree of respect the Institute is held in with the measuring the progress of global development and organising wider Sheffield business community. Both events were attended by international development assistance. Cllr Roger Davidson, who besides delivering his letter of support from During her speech, the Deputy Prime Ministers Office, also gave an introduction Dr. Dugarova focused in Chinese. on the efforts of China The highlight of the summer was the Tour de France that captured towards achieving the the imagination of the whole city and we were so pleased to be able to MDGs. Its development be part of it. Also regular events like the Chinese Children’s summer proves to be quite school in the School holidays and the ‘Off the Shelf’ literary event promising, as up were both very well attended and successful. until 2013, China has already met 7 of the 15 Esuna Dugarova from United Nations Kun Fu expert Pablo Salas Vazquez, Martial Arts Teacher from well-defined targets Research Institute and Dr Lucy Zhao Sheffield Confucius Institute, delivered his classes throughout the ahead of schedule. In year and in addition also performed at key calendar events. The most addition, China made progress in establishing a global partnership notable being the Beijing Opera and Chinese Arts Evening in the city for development. It offers assistance to developing countries and centre Victorian Montgomery Hall. His energetic performance of has increased foreign aid. However, even though China has made gymnastic Kung Fu thrilled and delighted the audience and received remarkable progress, Dr. Dugarova indicated that China still has to rapturous and well deserved applause from the audience. face some challenges, including full and productive employment for all, universal access to reproductive health, reversing the spread of HIV/ We still have many exciting plans for the rest of this amazing year 2014, AIDS and ensuring environmental sustainability. the year of the Horse. The events in the pipe line for 2015 are already taking shape and we are more than ready for the exciting events and After the presentation, the audience raised several questions and challenges ahead. We hope to move ever onward and upward with comments regarding this topic, including questions on sustainable the incredible group of talented and dedicated individuals we have environment, the New Development Bank and gender inequality in around us for the coming year. China. Dr. Dugarova was able to provide everyone with answers and mentioned that “debates on global issues often raise more questions Dr. Lucy Zhao than answers”. Furthermore, when answering a question regarding Director, Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield the one-child policy, she stated that “China is good in recognizing problems, does not ignore them and continues to work on them”. Her excellent presentation provided a clear overview of China’s progress and challenges in achieving the MDGs and Dr. Dugarova gave the audience a better insight in China’s current development process.

Newsletter 14 I December 2014 Page 2 Down to Business!

Page 3 December 2014 December 2014 I Newsletter 14 Then on the following day October 25, Zhao and Liu cooperated again 25, Zhao and Liu cooperated October day following Then on the event in the local teenagers, of a mainly English audience for perform to Tzu.” Chuang of in China: The Story Philosopher the Coolest ‘’ Meet called Zhao Jingyi as Miss with interest listened Chuang explained Spectators This was and Taoism. at his background in which she looked life, Tzu’s pictures, performances, oral, of a variety Zhao delivering by followed the “know such as “Dreaming”, various presentations video and other ‘classic’ other and “mantis stalks the cicada and loose”, fish is happy”, “fast think deeply people to inspire to intended These were Chinese stories. meaning, philosophical as its associations with as well about the stories life. everyday of the realities the audience. by received and well light heartedly was taken The event the Chinese characters in used strokes the brush explained Liu again that the fish is happy”. The participants the “I know showed for their of proud with and all felt event year’s at this their appreciation the ancient an understanding of having especially achievements meaning.. origin and the characters characters A participant conscientiously practicing the basic strokes of calligraphy of the basic strokes A participant conscientiously practicing Miss Zhao Jingyi her Philosophy lecture delivers

the audience Johnathan Price praised the event as a thought-provoking, as a thought-provoking, the event Price praised Johnathan the audience evening. and informative enjoyable difference between simplified and traditional characters. A member A member of characters. traditional and simplified between difference essence of Xun Zi thoughts and she replied: propriety, justice, falsehood, propriety, Zi thoughts and she replied: Xun essence of the show as examples to used were These words and education. Subsequently, Liu Subsequently, characters. the basic master to helping everyone Miss Zhao Jingyi up the that summed invited words suggest to the four secret of how to hold a pen and the structural characteristics needed characteristics hold a pen and the structural to how of secret the class He then toured stroke. by stroke in writing Chinese characters The second part of the lecture was a Calligraphy Class. The calligraphy was a Calligraphy The second part the lecture of the treasures’ of the ‘four account a detailed gave Liu Xi first Mr. teacher, discussion at the Q&A stage. two cultures explored the basic ideology basic the explored the idea “What is the good cultures of two a lively generated enthusiastic attendees hall of lecture packed The life”. including their background, honour and disgrace. Even taking into Even honour and disgrace. including their background, the between differences ideological the two human nature, account Xun Zi were examined with specific descriptions and comparisons. The examined Zi were Xun multiple angles philosophers from famous two at the analysis looked Thebackgrounds. heritages and cultural different the two between and the ancient Chinese philosopher philosopher Aristotle ancient Greek and Early China”. Jingyi this and eloquently set the scene of and Early China”. carefully the social connections and anomalies with vivid examples of ancient story a PhD student from the University of Cambridge to deliver a lecture deliver Cambridge to of the University from a PhD student Ancient Greece Comparing World: philosophy in Today’s “Ancient entitled the Shelf” festival, a city wide event opening the doors to the public tothe Shelf” opening the doors to a city wide event festival, Zhao Jingyi, Miss SCI invited events. literary interesting new and access On October 24-25, Sheffield Confucius Institute participated in the “Off in the participated Institute Confucius Sheffield 24-25, On October

literary and media celebrities and is one of Britain’s Britain’s and is one of and media celebrities literary events. most prestigious The festival Shelf” the public. The festival for festival the literary British number of a large attracted years, 23 has for its eighth consecutive year participating in “Off the participating year in “Off consecutive its eighth Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield is in Sheffield University at the of Confucius Institute ‘Off the Shelf’the ‘Off Sheffield’s literary festival festival literary Sheffield’s a Special Lecture for Lecture for a Special Confucius Institute held held Institute Confucius Chinese Calligraphy Teacher Liu Xi explains the basis to the audience Liu Xi explains the basis to Teacher Chinese Calligraphy Celebrations of 10 Anniversary Year Partnership with China and Sheffield Confucius Institute “Confucius Institute Day”

From 20 to 28 September the Confucius Institute celebrated the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute worldwide with its first global “Confucius Institute Day”. Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield, coordinated and carefully prepared a big ‘thank you’ both inside and outside the campus with a week of colourful cultural activities. The variety of events covered all aspects of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, diagnosis, massage), kung Fu and Taoism Culture, Tai Chi and health, Chinese calligraphy, traditional music and dance, folk arts and crafts, Chinese Experience (Simple Chinese conversation and Chinese characters). Cultural activities were devised and aimed at Art teacher Jeff (left) and Pablo (right) at Weston Park in front of the museum performing both University students and local communities, martial arts including a Chinese traditional costume show, Kung Fu and Tai involved with the activities and entertainment which deepened

Year of the Horse! Year Chi performances, Chinese calligraphy writing students names, their understanding of Chinese Culture. In addition, the Confucius Chinese character games, Chinese tea culture and finally a China Institute has also been actively involved in the University “Give It a Photo exhibition. Students flocked to watch with interest or get Go” activities in the period that coincides with Freshers Week.

Experience traditional Chinese musical instrument Guzheng

Newsletter 14 I December 2014 Page 4 China in Photographs 2014

Page 5 December 2014 December 2014 I Newsletter 14 Professor Bradley Barnes Bradley Professor Melanie Rippon, Nick Patrick and Kun Ma and Kun Melanie Rippon, Nick Patrick Sheffield): Service, of Career University of Fish (Director Stephen (China) Scheme which will be Ambassadors The GREAT introduced this year. out later rolled very a delivered Institute Confucius Sheffield from Miss Ma Kun and act in a business environment on the best way to lecture funny way in western the conventional the Chines way differs from how She Business Metaphors’’. ‘’ Chinese Business etiquette/ her lecture on do stand up with her very sharp wit and take to has the potential these important issues. the delivered BLCU) from Ran Tian (Deputy Director Professor Sheffield from Kilner a Tutor opening and closing speech and Paul facilitated He also proceedings. oversaw institute Confucius Skype link with Business Live and the International the event for (a taster centre Trade in Beijing International representatives events). interactive Sheffield/China live future meaning networking), ‘to leverage export in Sino- performance leverage ‘to meaning networking), and questions requests of a number This generated Anglo Business’. and was the audience elements of and education the business from from Linda Rosen included speakers Other received. extremely well Council China Britain Business Manager, Business Development CBBC Research, of Zhang (Assistant Director & Mr Junchao (CBBC) ‘Approaching the topic covered they China ): Together a tide of generated this Again and Challenge’. China: Opportunities supportto amount of that is available the massive questions around CBBC in Leeds based with China. Linda is trade business starting to in Shanghai CBBC. and Junchao is based

Prof Ran Tian SCI, Nick Patrick and Melanie Rippon SYIT,Cllr Davidson, SYIT,Cllr and Melanie Rippon Patrick Tian SCI, Nick Ran Prof SCI Ma Kun CBBC, and Zhang Junchao Linda Rosen Left to right: Bridget Pearson BTC, Stephen Fish Director of Careers Service, Careers of Fish Director Stephen BTC, Bridget Pearson right: Left to International Management & Marketing, University of Sheffield): of University Management & Marketing, International (loosely translated on ‘’Utilising Guanxi’’, his research He delivered The academic key note speaker was Bradley Barnes (Professor of of Barnes (Professor was Bradley speaker note key The academic overseas trade and how people can overcome their fears in his talk ‘’ their fears people can overcome and how trade overseas to Shanghai’’. Sheffield From by Nick Patrick (International Trade Manager, South Yorkshire Yorkshire South Manager, Trade (International Nick Patrick by about his passion for who spoke SYITC) Council Trade International Minister Nick Clegg read by Councillor Roger Davidson. This SCI Davidson. Roger Councillor Nick Clegg by Minister read in Sheffield headed the business community together pulled event especially fortunate to be commended by a letter from Deputy Prime from a letter by be commended to especially fortunate festival. nationwide support was and our event attracted This event part of the Sheffield International Business ‘MADE’ the Sheffield International part of The third Business Seminar in the City Hall on The third which was China’ to called ‘Bridge 23.9.14 Tuesday Festival with MADE Entrepreneur Entrepreneur MADE with SCI 3rd Business seminar Business SCI 3rd Linda Rosen Chinese Opera and Art Performance The 10th Anniversary of Confucius Institute was held at the Montgomery Hall, Surrey Street, Sheffield.

Picture left to Right: Professor Ran Tian (Deputy Director Sheffield Confucius Performers from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts Institute), Dr Lucy Xia Zhao (Director) Sheffield Confucius Institute, Councillor Roger Davidson, Mr Ying Wang (Consul, Head of Education Section, Consulate- General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester), Fan Zhang (National The Programme included: Peking Opera, Martial Arts, Chinese Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts)Mr Jun Pan, (Consul, Education Folk Dance, Folk Music Instruments and Si Chuan Opera. They Section, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester) performed a medley of Peking Opera Songs featuring the different characters in Peking Opera such as the character of This was the big highlight of a week of events an old gentleman, the character of a maid, the character of a celebrating the union between China and the City of leading actress, a male character with a painted face and male- Sheffield and the support that relationship gets from clown character. This was followed by a classical play ‘Pick up the the Sheffield University Confucius Institute (SCI). Jade Bracelet’ one of the famous Beijing Opera plays. This was followed by Martial Arts like Dancing: Performing by Pablo Salas Dr Lucy Xia Zhao the director of SCI welcomed the consulate Mr Vazquez from Sheffield Confucius Institute a Martial arts Teacher. HSK and Scholarships Jun Pan, Consul, Education Section, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester. The Deputy Prime Minister’s office One of the most amazing acts was the Si Chuan Opera: ‘Face was represented by Sheffield City Councillor Roger Davidson who Changing’ member of the troop that had the audience spell bound. read out a letter of congratulations from the Deputy Prime Minister. This colourful and engaging evening was performed by the National The assembled dignitaries guest and friends of the Institute, from Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Beijing, China and was set in the all corners of Sheffield, were entertained by an authentic traditional perfect location of the atmospheric old Montgomery Theatre built evening of Chinese culture from National Academy of Chinese in 1886 and its intimate theatre setting. Theatre Arts.

The Face Changing master Members of the cast plus VIP guests on stage

Newsletter 14 I December 2014 Page 6 Chinese Dragon Comes to the Park! Le Tour de France comes to Sheffield This event was such a success it prompted calls for Yorkshire to host the Grand Départ Again!

Sheffield Council went to great expense in celebrating the final stage of the Tour De France Grand Départ as the finish line was right in Sheffield city centre. SCI was invited to sit alongside corporate sponsors and the wider business community having a stall and joining in festivities to celebrate on Sunday 6th July. With an estimated 2.5 Million viewers CSI positioned itself outside in the Town Hall Peace Garden beneath the shadow of a giant TV screen erected for the event. Staff arrived early to make preparations and took the crowd pleasing 14 meter Red Dragon. As the sounds of the world’s most watched sporting spectacle floated over the square the SCI volunteers prepared to entertain the vast crowds. Giant glamorous and colourful characters from mythology wandered freely among the crowd. Customers young and old marvelled at our beautiful dragon and took the opportunity to be photographed with it in a Traditional Chinese Costume courtesy of SCI. Other visitors worked hard to match the Chinese characters with the correct definition to win a simple prize. While others enjoyed translating their English name into Chinese and using their calligraphy skill to capture if forever. Jing Yun a volunteer said ‘The response was amazing as tourists came from all over the UK and were impressed that Confucius had embraced the fun and colour of the festival and the warm welcome associated with Sheffield’s aims for the event’. The fun continued on a gloriously sunny day even well after the final sprint event had ended and Vincenzo Nibali, the Italian champion had won the Yorkshire stage. With the city wide event such a success the organisers are already preparing to let Yorkshire take centre stage in the future and SCI will be ready to join in and celebrate. SCI stall and customers at Tour de France Festival

The Tour de France Festival in the city centre Town Hall Square Enjoying the Tour de France festival in Chinese Traditional costumes

Newsletter 14 I December 2014 Page 7 New Opportunities: SCI supply activities and classes for local Businesses

The Institute is keen to support any individuals or companies to help or in a business environment within a given company. Should anyone them acquire the language skills to make new contacts with business need a one to one instruction then that is no problem and all part of partners in China. The SCI delivers business orientated programs the service we offer. Any of the following packages can be adapted throughout the year. These can also be adapted to cater for small or to enable businesses to make a positive and lasting impression when larger numbers of clients. These can be delivered in our classrooms approaching the Chinese market.

China Business Club

The Confucius Institute actively promote knowledge and understanding of China and Chinese business in the business community. Collaboration with organisations such as the China-Britain Business Council and the Sheffield-China Business Network allows the Institute to build up links and contacts throughout the British business community, while giving that community the benefits of the cultural and linguistic expertise in which the Institute excels focusing on the following three areas:

China ABC workshops for professionals Intercultural communication workshops “Business ABC” aims at staff from the university, businesses and other civic organizations that have links with China. The event comprises three sessions: a Mandarin language lesson focusing on key useful phrases, a talk on intercultural communication and correct etiquette, and an interactive workshop where participants are asked to use their newly acquired language skills in role plays with members of SCI staff.

Business Language and Culture Teaching and Testing Business Breakfast briefings Apart from offering the Each year SCI has a Business outreach programme and “Business ABC” workshops, is involved in local Business Seminars, Business Breakfast the Institute also offers briefings and high-profile business events. These are aimed at individualised learning local organisations and enterprises working with China as well and testing for businesses as the general public where appropriate. SCI is committed to wishing to train or recruit becoming a key link between local and regional organisations new members of staff and China and is to provide information and contacts that who can make a good New Opportunities for Schools Opportunities for New promote economic links between China and South Yorkshire. impression on potential Please contact us for more information about your business customers from China. needs and our current business events.

Please contact Sheffield Confucius Institute email: [email protected] Calls from the UK: 0114 222 8447 International calls: +44 114 222 8447

Enquiries to: Dr. Hu, Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield 5 Shearwood Road • Sheffield S10 2TD • United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 114 222 8447 • Fax: +44 (0) 114 222 8334 Email: [email protected]

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