July 11, 2012

On the website of the Association for Asian Studies I noticed the announcement about free access to articles from back issues of Education About Asia. Perhaps you have already done so, but all you have to do is register with your email address and you get a password in your inbox straight away. You can search the tables of contents from all published issues dating back to 1996 but you can only view the articles from issues older than three years—at the moment that is 1996-2008. The searchable options are ‘title keyword’, ‘country or region’, ‘author’ and ‘issue theme’.

My search on ‘literature’ and ‘China’ generated eight results, one of which was the article ‘Culture and Text in Teaching Chinese Literature’ by Professor Yanfang Tang in which he introduces his approach to teaching the ‘Lisao.’ As some of his students thought Qu Yuan was boasting and whining, Tang examined what cultural context is essential for the Lisao so that students understand the right interpretation of the poem. 

But before I stray off: the articles are available in PDF and there is a permissions note saying: ‘archive articles may be downloaded and reproduced for personal or classroom only.’ But of course you can also subscribe to the print publication.

Written by: Audrey

March 14, 2012

Every week the Chinese Civilisation Centre contributes an article to the Chinese language newspaper Wen Wei Po. The topics of the articles include Chinese culture, heritage, history, literature etc. Given the pro-PRC nature of the newspaper, the contents should not contain sensitive issues or anything provocative.

Some of the articles are written by teaching staff of the Centre who share their latest research results, but most are accounts of the lectures by visiting scholars. Take for instance the article of 26 February 2012, which is based on the lecture ‘Between Loyalty and Treachery: Yan Song and Emperor Jiajing’ (see online version  忠奸之間：嚴嵩與嘉靖皇帝) by Lee Cheuk-yin, Professor at the National University of Singapore. This is an interesting historical probe into whether the Grand Secretary Yan Song was as evil and cunning as he is usually depicted.

Another recent article which was published on 4 March is ‘Behind the Glamour: Cultural Significance of Qing-dynasty Imperial Dress’ (see online version 華彩的背後－清代宮廷服飾的文化內涵) based on a lecture by Yan Yong, Research Fellow at the Palace Museum. This is very informative about the robes of the emperor, and the rules on what he should wear on which occasion and why.

If you are interested in the newspaper, please visit: Wen Wei Po. For more background information on this and other media in Hong Kong, you may wish to read ch. 5 ‘Media Structure and Regime Change in Hong Kong’ by Chin-Chuan Lee, in The Challenge of Hong Kong’s Reintegration with China, edited by Ming K. Chan (Hong Kong University Press, 1997).

Written by: Audrey

February 10, 2012

Over Christmas we travelled to Fujian for a few days. After spending the first two days near the coast, in the busy city of Xiamen and on the beautiful island of Gulangyu, we decided to hire a car and go inland to see the famous Tulou, or ‘earthen buildings’ in Yongding. The ride in itself was worth the while for there was a wonderful change in landscape. From the buzzing noise of the city and the great rocks on the island, into the rural scenery of green and quiet mountains with lots of banana cultivation.

Tulou in Fujian are traditional communal residences where Hakka clans live(d). Forty-six of the Fujian Tulou clusters were listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2008. But along the road to the tulou that are open to the public, you will discover that there are many more scattered in the mountains. Usually you see them photographed from the air: black roofs amid green fields and mountains.

Once we got there, the driver convinced us that it was absolutely necessary to hire a guide. And as with all guides, Mr Su was talking non-stop about everything he knew about the tulou, including toilets, kitchens, clan life and many historical and architectural details.

Tulou come in circular and square types but all are a few stories high and have a main gate and thick yellow outer walls. Mr Su explained that each family within the clan had a vertical set of rooms from the ground floor up to top floor. It seems an amazing way to keep all the family members together and offer them shelter to the outside world.

Eventually it seemed that we were done with the tulou. But not with the guide. For Mr Su led us right into his teashop a few steps away from the tulou. After the rituals of brewing tea and having us try different types, he managed to sell us some bags of black and green tea. Probably a good supplement to his income as a guide…

If you are interested to read more about the tulou and Chinese clans, there is an article ‘Monuments to Clan Life are Losing Their Appeal’, in NY Times, see link here.

Written by: Audrey

January 6, 2012

In about two weeks’ time the Department of Chinese, Translation and Linguistics, City University of Hong Kong, will host the ‘International Conference on Cross-cultural Studies: China and the World’. As the list of topics shows the talks are on a broad range of cultural aspects, from literature and film to history and philosophy, and are presented by Western and Asian scholars from all over the world.

It is a pity though that on the website there is only a poster with the titles of the papers and the names of the presenters. There is no description of the aim or background of the conference nor does the link work. Although it says ‘all are welcome’, there is no detailed programme available. Instead anyone interested must send an email first.

A few hours ago, I sent them an email for the programme but so far no response yet. For those interested, you may visit the CTL website at www.ctl.cityu.edu.hk.

Written by: Audrey

November 14, 2011

On Saturday, my family and I attended the annual village Pun Choi event, this time also held to celebrate the re-election of Mr Chan Siu-kuen as member of the Tai Po District Council. Amazing how a parking lot can be transformed into an outdoor restaurant: numerous tables were laid with large metal basins of Pun Choi in the centre of the tables.

Originally a Hakka dish, Pun Choi is said to have been invented during the late Song dynasty, when locals had to serve a good meal to one of the Emperor’s generals with his army who had fled to the south. Collecting and cooking all sorts of home grown ingredients, the locals put everything together in large basins which could easily be reheated before being served.

The Pun Choi we had on Saturday (see image) contained pork, chicken, duck, prawn, dried mushroom, beancurd, pigskin, Chinese radish, fishballs, and squid. At least these are the things that I recognized. Stuck in the sides of the basin you can see the shared chopsticks to pick the food that you fancy.

It was a very lively event because while enjoying the food, activities on stage went on all through the night, including speeches, singing and a lucky draw. At such an occasion, it is possible to get a taste of Hong Kong culture at village level and experience how neighbours and friends who may not normally dine together socialize in a very informal way.

For those of you who want to know more about Pun Choi, you can check out the article in Wall Street Journal by Amy Ma: ‘Pun Choi is Purely Hong Kong’.

Written by: Audrey

October 14, 2011

This afternoon the ceremony for the outstanding student awards (2010/11 Semester B and Summer Course) was held at the Chinese Civilization Centre. The awards were presented by Professor Zhou Zhenhe and Professor Cheng Pei-kai. In his speech Professor Cheng Pei-kai stressed that the recipients of this award represent the top students in Chinese civilization.

Apart from the certificates, students also received a copy of the catalogue of the works by renowned calligrapher Zhang Sen. Professor Cheng expressed hope that the art of calligraphy would encourage the students to reflect on their own handwriting especially in this electronic age. The example that Professor Cheng gave was those with beautiful handwriting will have an edge: you can impress your girl or boyfriend with a personal handwritten message.

The list of names of students who won the awards can be found on the website of the CCIV (in Chinese).

Written by: Audrey

September 16, 2011

In the Dutch newspaper there is some brief report on the Beijing International Book Fair where the Netherlands was guest of honour. It says that Amnesty International had called on the delegation of Dutch writers, publishers and scholars to stage a demonstration against the imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo during the opening ceremony of the Book Fair. But the delegation ignored the call because they figured that it would not be such a wise act.

There are other ways to express your views. Just like Dutch State Secretary of Education, Culture and Science Halbe Zijlstra did in his speech in Beijing: he emphasized that the Netherlands is an open country, and the Dutch are recognized for their tolerance, transparancy and freedom of speech and press. At the same time he also expressed his worries about the arrest of writers and critics of the Chinese regime.

But the participation at the book fair was primarily to introduce Dutch literature to China. Which they did. Their books were on display at the fair and there were sessions with Dutch and Chinese writers. There is no need to expect that they made an impact on the human rights issue. What does matter is that there was cultural exchange which hopefully will lead to better mutual understanding.

Written by: Audrey

August 30, 2011

This year the guest of honour at the Beijing International Book Fair is the Netherlands. The Book Fair will start tomorrow (31 August) and runs through to 4 September. According to the article ‘Beijing International Book Fair: The Dutch Do it Right’ published in the latest issue of the Paper-Republic Newsletter, this year’s Fair ‘is likely to be the first Fair that can truly call itself a cultural and literary event.’

The main reason for this is that the Dutch Foundation for Literature has been actively involved in the organization of events to promote Dutch literature. Therefore, as the article notes: ‘in addition to twenty-three visiting Dutch authors, the Guest of Honor program includes artist talks, an exhibition of Vincent van Gogh’s letters, a book cover design show, real-time collaboration between Chinese and Dutch comic artists, and an exhibition dedicated to Robert van Gulik, an early 20th century Dutch diplomat and scholar who wrote detective novels set in Tang-dynasty China.’

If you happen to be in Beijing, check out the programme available on the Helan Wenxue website.

Written by: Audrey

July 13, 2011

Several Chinese soap series are broadcast on local television in Hong Kong daily. Many are dramatic stories about deceit, jealousy and revenge which ultimately lead to fighting, dying and crying but in some rare cases a series is said to be relatively realistic, in that it reflects life in Hong Kong. Currently on every night is Zhenxiang 真相 or ‘The Other Truth’ which they say is not too far from the true situation in the court room.

During the episodes last week for example, there was a case where a Chinese woman accused a man of Indian descent of rape. From the presentation of the case and the discussions by the jurors there was a clear bias against the young man. Eventually, however, the jurors decided there was not enough evidence to put him behind bars (innocent until proven guilty) and the lawyer later discovered to her shock that the Chinese woman had lied.

This case of racial discrimination against Indians is beyond doubt based on real experience in Hong Kong society. By eventually showing that the Indian man was innocent, this series gives the moral message that good citizens should not judge by appearance and that racial discrimination is wrong. For someone who wants to know more about Hong Kong society through the eyes of the local people, watching this series at home can be an option.

Written by: Audrey

March 8, 2011

Today is the 100th anniversary of “International Women’s Day”, a day that will be celebrated all over the world, also in Hong Kong. Organisations such as the Hong Kong Association of Business and Professional Women, Edible Arrangements HK and Women in Charge have organized special events.

Just recently I read the article “Women Still Face Barriers in Hong Kong” (see link) which questions why Hong Kong women are not getting ahead. Leading positions in companies and the government are still male-dominated. Women earn less than men. This happens not only here but Hong Kong is lagging behind other developed countries.

Why? The article points out that Hong Kong is still a traditional, conservative society where hiring women is considered a risk. Women have to prove that they are reliable. They have to fight for their rights. As an example the article refers to the case of Ms. Kwong, the local teacher who was forced to wear a skirt in class. Fortunately after three years in court, she did win the case.

An expert in the article reckons that curriculum overhauls and teacher training are needed “to erase gender stereotyping in the education system as key to changing the mind-sets of both men and women.”

Written by: Audrey

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