China Seminar Series continues at Bryant

Hong Yang, associate professor of science and technology and executive director of the U.S.-China institute at Bryant University says the goal of the China Seminar Series is to bring China to Bryant students and faculty and ultimately encourage them to visit China.

Last semester, the China Seminar Series featured events that explored conducting business in China, researched the scholarly work of Confucius, and examined the environmental impacts of the large - and growing population in China. Capping a successful first semester, Yang led a group of students to China for the Sophomore International Experience during the winter break.

Building on the momentum of the fall, the China Seminar Series opened the 2007 schedule with a standing-room only presentation titled "Chinese Minorities: Their Folklore, Politics and Religion."

The seminar, which was presented by Professor Eric D. Mortensen of Guilford College, noted that China is not an ethnically homogeneous nation, as perceived by outsiders, but that it is actually quite diverse. In the 1964 census, there were 183 nationalities registered, among which the government recognized only 54.

This lack of recognition has resulted in strained relations between China's official ethnic minorities and the dominant Han group, which makes up 92 percent of the population. This conflict is particularly notable in Tibet and Xinjiang, which both have independence movements.

This semester's series will culminate in the second Bryant-Lingnan Summer Exchange program, slated to take place in May. Last year's inaugural program allowed students from Bryant and Lingnan College (China) the opportunity to live and learn together, both in the United States and China.

For more information about the U.S.-China Institute, contact china@bryant.edu.