Cultural Nostalgia by Yiyi Wu

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Hong Kong Ming Pao’s monthly magazine published Cultural Nostalgia by Yiyi Wu, a MA student in Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC).

In this issue, the theme of the column “The Seasons of the Academy” is “Nostalgia of Students”

 

University of Macau

Centre for Chinese History and Culture

Yiyi Wu

In 士與中國文化（Shi and Chinese Culture）, Yu Ying-shih puts it, “The transmission and innovation of culture and thought has been the central task of “Shi” from the beginning to the end.” Confucius represents the archetype of the “Shi” (can be understood as “Scholar”) in Chinese culture, proposing that “Shi should reach the Way”. In the revival of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, Fan Zhongyan (a Chinese poet, and one of the famous representative of Scholar-officials in ancient China) proposed that the “Shi” should “first worry about the worries of the world and then rejoice in the happiness of the world”, demonstrating the ideal and pride of a “Shi” who could help the common people, which shows that the spiritual outlook of “Shi” has developed with the various stages of Chinese history. Today, the students of the Chinese nation can be described as contemporary “Shi”.

This 5,000 years of history and culture has become an inherent “cultural nostalgia” for contemporary “Shi”, a sense of longing, attachment and admiration for the culture and thought of the Chinese nation. Only by tracing the roots of Chinese culture, exploring the relationship between nature and human civilisation, understanding the changes in human affairs through the ages, and appreciating the glory of the wise and benevolent people in history, can the nostalgia be dispelled gradually.

As a MA student in the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, this “cultural nostalgia” has driven me to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural ties between Macao and China, and Macao has become a gateway to cultural exchanges between the East and the West due to its geographical location. In the future, I hope to continue to uphold the spirit of “Shi”, to “care about everything at home and in the world”, and to take up the mission of passing on and innovating Chinese culture and thought!

 

Pass on Chinese Philosophy and Explore Zhuangzi’s Life: CCHC invites Professor Yang Yi to compile Zhuangzi Hui Tong

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The Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau commissioned Professor Yang Yi to write and compile Zhuangzi Hui Tong, which was published in August 2022 by Liaoning People’s Publishing House with funding from the University of Macau for the project on “Pre-Qin Thinkers and Classics Research”. Professor Yang Yi got the Doctor of Literature and has served as Director of the Institute of Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Director of the Institute of Ethnic Literature, Research Fellow and Doctoral Supervisor. This collaboration will not only facilitate the exploration of pre-Qin philosophical thought and literature, but will also help to further disseminate and promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Zhuangzi Hui Tong aims to systematically restore and explain Zhuangzi’s academic and literary achievements, providing readers with a clearer and deeper understanding of Zhuangzi’s philosophy in an in-depth, yet rigorous and accurate manner. The book is based on the two perspectives of Zhuangzi’s thought and the spirit of Hui Tong and uniting the life of Zhuangzi, the origin of Zhuang Zi and Laozi, and the attitude of Zhuang Zi’s “Three Words” towards Confucianism and Taoism, which deeply demonstrates Zhuangzi’s pursuit of independent personality and spiritual freedom, his examination of the suffering world, and his profound experience of life’s tragedies. This has made an important contribution to the study and popularization of Zhuangzi’s thought.

CCHC aims to strengthen the study of Chinese history and culture, to establish a high-level mechanism for the exchange of Chinese history and culture, to promote Chinese history and culture to the Macao community, especially the Macao youth, and to facilitate the dissemination and influence of Chinese history and culture in Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, so as to promote and enhance the awareness and understanding of Chinese history and culture in Macao and the international community. The profound understanding and innovative knowledge of Lao Zhuang’s philosophy in Zhuangzi Hui Tong will not only deepen readers’ understanding of traditional Chinese thought, but also help promote the dissemination and promotion of Chinese historical and cultural excellence in Macao, which is of great significance.

First Festival of Chinese Culture Introduction

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To promote traditional Chinese culture and create an atmosphere for learning about the culture on campus and in the local community, the University of Macau (UM) will hold the first Festival of Chinese Culture. With a series of creative activities from October to December, the festival aims to enhance students’ interest in Chinese history and culture and increase their understanding of the culture.

The First Festival of Chinese Culture is organised by the University of Macau, with Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R Government, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R Government and the Macao Foundation as the guiding entities, and the Think Tank of United Citizens, the University International College of the Macau University of Science and Technology, the Academy of Chinese Studies of the City University of Macau, the Macau Millennium College, the Macau Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture Association, and the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences as the collaborating entities. The Festival of Chinese Culture will be promoted, implemented, and supported by a number of organizations.

The Festival of Chinese Culture combines the promotion, implementation and execution of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC with the promotion of Chinese traditional culture, which is of special significance for the times and is an innovative and open public service event. It is an innovative, open and public service event that has been confirmed to take place in Beijing and Europe. A series of prelude events and warm-up competitions will be held from mid-October, while the core events will be held in November, with events taking place at the University, the University’s Chinese History and Culture Promotion Base, and the University’s partners in Henan, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Zhejiang; and major events will continue into December.

The core programmes of the Festival of Chinese Culture include three series: 1) a series of lectures, publicity and education on Chinese history and culture; 2) a series of exhibitions, shows and displays on Chinese history and culture; and 3) a series of forums, seminars and debates on Chinese culture and Macao culture. The series includes “Chinese Costume Performance, Chinese Language The programme included more than 60 events, including “Taijiquan Exchange between Macao and Henan Youths”, “Touring China – Ancient and New” – Touring Yanshi Erlitou Relic Site, “Chinese Costume Performance, Chinese and Foreign Language Poetry Recital”, “Performance Programme: Mulan Crane Dance with Fan” and ” Macao Forum for Chinese Culture”.

UM continues to establish bases for promotion of Chinese history and culture in secondary schools in Macao

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After establishing nine bases for the promotion of Chinese history and culture, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau (UM) recently signed agreements with Sao Jose Diocesan College, Fifth School, and Kao Yip Middle School on the establishment of the base in the schools. With the signing of the agreements, Sao Jose Diocesan College, Fifth School, and Kao Yip Middle School became the tenth and eleventh school in Macao to establish the base, respectively.

At the ceremony, Zhu Shoutong, director of the CCHC, said that the base is an important project established by the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences and the CCHC to promote Chinese history and culture. Wong Kin Man, principal of Sao Jose Diocesan College, Fifth School, talked about the school’s past efforts in promoting Chinese culture and expressed hope that the school would be able to reach out to the community and expand external cooperation and exchange. Ho Shing, principal of Kao Yip Middle School, said that promoting Chinese culture is an important mission of the school. He is confident that with the support of UM’s strong research capacity, the school will be able to further deepen its research and education work.

 

Tong Nam School Visited Exhibition

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On 28 September 2022 (Wed), under the warm reception of Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, and other administrative staff, Principal Ieong Chan Kei and nine teachers from Tong Nam School visited CCHC to see the exhibition “Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army”.
During the course of the exhibition, Principal Ieong pointed out that the New Fourth Army’s fearless attitude towards sacrifice was worthy of praise by teachers and students and hoped that the teaching team could continue its immortal spirit through action. Through the exhibition, teachers can learn that the New Fourth Army not only made significant military contributions, but also made significant cultural, economic and medical contributions, making it a learning opportunity not to be missed.

Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of the Centre, suggested that schools could bring the exhibition of the New Fourth Army to their campuses to enhance patriotic education, raise the sense of national identity and pride among Macao’s youth, and nurture a new generation of patriots who love Macao.

“Ye Ting and Macao” Seminar Held at the University of Macau

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“Ye Ting and Macao” Seminar, jointly organized by Yancheng Culture Radio Film and TV and Tourism Administration, New Fourth Army Memorial Hall and CCHC. It was held at CCHC on the morning of 21 September, 2022.

Ye Ting was one of the main leaders of the New Fourth Army. He commanded the Nanchang Uprising and served as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy. He was the commander-in-chief of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army when he participated in the Guangzhou Uprising, and served as the commander of the New Fourth Army during the Anti-Japanese War. As the founder of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and an important leader of the New Fourth Army, Ye Ting experienced many ups and downs in his life. He became famous as a young man and wrote a legend of the Northern Expedition and the anti-Japanese war. He experienced overseas exile and five years of imprisonment, and his song “Song for the Prisoner” became a reflection of his steadfast revolutionary spirit.

Ye Ting and his family had a close relationship with Macao. The former residence of General Ye Ting, located at No. 76, R. do Alm. Costa Cabral, was the residence of Ye Ting’s family in Macao from 1932 to 1942. Seven of his nine children were born here and spent most of their childhood here. Since 2012, the Macao government has been restoring the former residence of Ye Ting. On May 28, 2014, the “General Ye Ting’s Former Residence” was officially opened to the public. Since then, the “General Ye Ting’s Former Residence” has become an important historical and cultural attraction in Macao.

The seminar invited Professor Qiu Jinbiao, Director of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, Professor Pang Chuan, Legislative Councillor of Macao, President of the Yancheng Friendship Association of Macao, Vice President of the Macau University of Science and Technology, Professor Chan Wei Ming, President of Macau Millennium College, Professor Xu Jie, Dean of FAH, Professor Lam Iok Fong, Director of the Centre for Macau Studies, Professor Fu Tianhong, visiting professor of CCHC, Professor Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC, Ye Zhudi, Editor-in-Chief of Shanghai’s “Exploration and Free Views” magazine and other scholars to participate in the discussion.

In the online speech, Ms. Ye Lin, granddaughter of General Ye Ting, said that her grandfather had a deep affection for Macao throughout his life, and that her grandmother had brought several children to live in Macao for a long period of time when her grandfather joined the revolution. It was only after the outbreak of the New Forth Army Incident and the imprisonment of her grandfather by the Kuomintang that her grandmother left Macau with her family. Her father, Mr. Ye Zhingda, returned to Macao in 1993 after a long absence of 50 years, as the communication and airport construction in Macao was in its initial stage. Ms. Ye Lian expressed her gratitude to the organizer of the seminar on “Ye Ting and Macao”, and wished the event a great success.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC, and a number of experts and scholars conducted a broad and in-depth academic exchange on the patriotic spirit and indomitable revolutionary spirit of General Ye Ting, as well as his legendary life. The organizer hoped that through the academic seminar jointly organized by Suzhou and Macao, the historical and humanistic materials of Macao represented by General Ye Ting will be explored in depth, further enriching the connotation of Macao’s historical literature and contributing to the construction of Macao as a base for exchange and cooperation with Chinese culture as the mainstream and the coexistence of multiple cultures.

After the seminar, guests were invited to visit the exhibition “Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army” which will be launched on 22 September.

“Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army” Helps Macao Youth Know State

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Directed by Jiangsu Overseas Association, supported by Macau Jiangsu Friendship Association, Jiangsu Hong Kong Cultural Association, co-organized by Yancheng Overseas Association, New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC), National Conditions Education Association (Macau), The “Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army” was recently held at Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China. The exhibition captures 54 representative New Fourth Army youth deeds. The original intention and mission of the Chinese Communists and young soldiers of the New Fourth Army are explained intensively. The aims are to enable Macao youth to understand the history of the suffering of the motherland and the history of struggle since modern times, to feel the firm faith and spirit of the Chinese Communist Party of leading the entire nation’s compatriots to save the country, rejuvenate the country, and strengthen the country, to effectively promote the identity of adolescents with the State and the nation, to gather more patriotic forces and to strengthen patriotic education.

The event kicked off with a video presentation of “Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army,” during which the narrator of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall presented the red story “Red Romance of the Prosperous Years” and the red scene recited “Song for Prisoner.”

In the speech of, Li Weihua, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Vice President of Jiangsu Overseas Association, said, In modern times, outstanding children such as Zhou Enlai, Qu Qiubai, Zhang Wentian, Yun Daiying, Zhang Tailei and Qin Bangxian had emerged in Jiangsu. Thousands of revolutionary martyrs fought and sacrificed on the land of Jiangsu in order to resist aggression for people’s liberation and the country’s rebirth. The “Iron Army Spirit” of the New Fourth Army, cast in blood, is one of the bright undertones of Jiangsu’s local culture, which is a valuable cultural asset in Chinese civilization history.

Zhu Shoutong, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, believes that the smooth running of the exhibition shows that the epidemic is on its way out, that Covid-19 will surely fall and that normal order will return to our lives. Zhu also highlighted the relationship between the leaders of the New Fourth Army and Macao, showing that Macao is a city to be proud of since it has not been absent from an important part of modern Chinese revolutionary history.

Speaking as a representative of the students, Yang Wenpei of the University of Macau said that when she visited the exhibition, she felt the state spirit of the New Fourth Army. Home is the smallest country, and the country is a thousand families. The historical stories behind the pictures are imbued with a strong sense of family and nationality and vividly convey a nation’s rich heritage.

Yin Rutao, Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Li Weihua, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Vice President of the Jiangsu Overseas Association; Wong Chio In, Head of Divison of Educational Planning and Facility of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Lam Vai Ip, Head of Division of Art Development of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Ma Io Fong, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Macao; Sham Chin Ping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Jiangsu Province and President of the Macao Jiangsu Friendship Association; Chen Hui Yu, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC of Jiangsu Province and President of the Jiangsu & Hong Kong Cultural Association; Linda Chen, President of the Macau Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture Association; Zhang Zhizhong, Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Department of the United Front Work Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee; Wang Huan, Fourth Grade Researcher of the United Front Work Department of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee and member of the Party Committee of the Yancheng City Federation of Industry and Commerce; Qiu Jinbiao, Director of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province; Xu Jie, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Macau, were the officiating guests. After the kick-off ceremony, the guests were guided by a lecturer from the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall to visit the “Youth and War Flames – Young Figures of the New Fourth Army” Exhibition. It is reported that the event kicked off at CCHC and is planned to come to more Macau campuses in the future.

The Base for the Promotion of Chinese History and Culture Has Reached its Basic Goal

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Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau, witnessed by the leaders of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, recently signed an agreement with St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5 on the Establishment of Chinese History and Culture Promotion Bases (《共建中國歷史文化推廣基地協議》), which marks the completion of ten Chinese History and Culture Promotion Bases so far and the achievement of the basic goal set by the project.

On the afternoon of Monday, September 19, 2022, the fifth school of St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5 held a grand event and signing ceremony in the school auditorium. Director Xu Ting and Deputy Director Xu Zhiping of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Xu Jie, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Macau, Director Zhu Shoutong and Deputy Director Cheang Neng Ian of CCHC, President Vong Piu of the Union of Catholic Schools of Macau, Director Chan Teng Fong of Comissão Diocesana da Educação Católica, Superintendent Anna Chang of St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5, Principal Wong Kin Man, Vice Principal Lim Ling Lai, Vice Principal Man Kun Nei, Vice Principal Kui Kiu Yan, Vice Principal and Mr. Pao Siu Kuan, also represented the University of Macau and St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5 respectively.

On behalf of St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5, Principal Wong Kin Man introduced the school’s past efforts in promoting Chinese culture, and hoped that after becoming a promotion base in the future, the school could go to the next level and actively face the community and expand external cooperation and exchange. Mr. Lim also pointed out that St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5 attaches great importance to history education, and the school’s “Love My China” Mainland study tour has been well received by students for many years.

Director of CCHC Zhu Shoutong said that the Base for the Promotion of Chinese History and Culture is an important project established by the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences and the CCHC, which is an important practice in the construction and promotion of Chinese culture. The aim is to implement the high-end positioning of “Chinese Culture as the Mainstream, Multicultural Coexistence Exchange” and to establish a model for promoting Chinese culture in primary and secondary schools in Macao.
The project aims to strengthen the cooperation with Macao primary and secondary schools, deepen Macao youth’s knowledge and understanding of Chinese history and culture, enhance their sense of national identity, and encourage them to pass on their outstanding traditional culture, so as to better promote the spread and development of Chinese culture in Macao.

At present, ten Chinese History and Culture Promotion Bases have been established, including Pui Ching Middle School, Escola Estrela do Mar, Baptist College, Escola Choi Nong Chi Tai, Colégio Mateus Ricci, The Affiliated School of the University of Macau, Lou Hau High School, Escola Xin Hua, Tong Nam School, and the latest addition, St. Joseph Parish Secondary School No. 5, completing the task of establishing ten promotion bases in five years ahead of schedule. The promotion bases have achieved fruitful results and accumulated valuable experience in the implementation of the Master Teacher and School Seminar Program, the Historical and Cultural Heritage Study Tour Program and the Special Project Construction Program. Zhu pointed out that the plan has proved to be feasible to build the promotion centres in a steady and effective manner.

Delegation of China Tourism Academy and Macao Government Tourism Office Visited Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences

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On September 19, 2022 (Mon), Zhang Yang, Associate Researcher of the Institute of Industry of China Tourism Academy, Chai Yan, visiting Scholar of the Institute of Industry of China Tourism Academy, and Ma U Leng, Head of Organizational Planning and Development Department of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), and the delegation visited the Base.

The delegation was warmly received by Professor Sio Chio Leong, Director of Academic Affairs Department of CCHC, Kuan Sio In, Principal Administrative Officer, and Professor Chen Zhong, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute, who led them to visit Cultural Building and introduced them to the basic information of the Base, CCHC and the Confucius Institute in Cultural Building.

During the interactive conversation, Prof. Sio Chio Leong pointed out that the interaction between mainland China and Macao universities should be strengthened, hoping to form a platform for mainland students to study in Macao and develop the awareness of study tour industry. Associate Researcher Zhang Yang agreed and hoped to strengthen the exchange and cooperation in the future.

Finally, on behalf of CCHC, Kuan Sio In, Principal Administrative Officer, presented a souvenir to Mr. Zhang Yang.

Professor Zhu Shoutong Received Great Enthusiasm in “Seminar on the Development of Compulsory Education in Suzhou”

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Suzhou Municipal Education Association and Soochow University Private Education Research Center organized the “Seminar on the Development of Compulsory Education in Suzhou” on July 12, 2022. The seminar aims to analyze the possible difficulties and challenges in reducing the proportion of private compulsory education in Suzhou and to seek advice from authoritative experts for the reference of the relevant departments.

Suzhou is the earliest, fastest and most prosperous city in China for the development of private voluntary education. This seminar is a high-profile professional conference in mainland China. Representatives of Macao SAR were invited to give keynote speeches in the seminar, including Prof. Liu Jun, Rector of the City University of Macau, and Prof. Zhu Shoutong of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau (CCHC). President Liu Jun is also an academic member of CCHC.

Professor Zhu Shoutong, the person-in-charge of the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences, attended the conference and presented a speech on the theme of “The historical opportunity period of the advanced private education”. In the seminar, he introduced the situation of private basic education in Hong Kong and Macao. He provided a case study of the advanced private education in Suzhou with historical significance and cultural heritage, which aroused the intense interest of the participants in the seminar to further communicate, as a testimony to the unity of the academics from Macao and the mainland China in contributing to the development of compulsory education in China. Professor Liu Jun also presented a speech on the educational situation in Macao.