UK Leeds University starts China Forum

In celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Chinese Studies, now East Asian Studies, the University of Leeds inaugurated a China forum in early March. Professor Qian Suoqiao from New Castle University gave a talk on how Chinese educated in the West like Lin Yutang, portrayed China during the 1940s versus how  Westerners familiar with China, such as  Owen Lattimore and Edgar Snow, represented the nation to audiences of their home countries. From his comparison of Westernized Chinese and "China Experts", Qian concluded that China Studies should welcome open minds and various approaches. Engaging general discussion on various subjects within China Studies, each forum invites one China Studies scholar and one Ph.D student to deliver a speech. The Next forum, to be held at the end of April, will address “China's Aid and Soft Power in Africa: The Case of Education and Training”.