Archive for category: News Letter

From 10-11 May, 2025, the third “Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao” Forum on Classical Literature and Culture was successfully held at the University of Macau. This forum was organized by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture and the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Macau, in collaboration with the Jiangsu Ancient Literature Society, Nanjing University’s School of Literature, and the Department of Chinese and History at City University of Hong Kong. Experts, professors, and young scholars from various universities and academic institutions in Jiangsu, Hong Kong, and Macao gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on classic themes of Chinese ancient literature and culture.

The Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao Literary Forum was jointly initiated by scholars from the three regions, consistently adhering to the academic interest of fostering friendships through literature while embracing diversity. It serves as an important academic platform in the field of ancient literature. The first forum in Hong Kong discussed “Literature and Peace: Institutions and Literature in Han and Tang-Song Dynasties,” while the second forum in Nanjing explored “Classics and History in Chinese Ancient Literature.” This year’s forum in Macau focused on “Literary Ability and Classical Texts: The Sanitization and Canonization of Chinese Literature,” with academic collaboration continuing to deepen.

During the opening ceremony, Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the Centre for History and Culture at the University of Macau, welcomed the attendees on behalf of the hosts. Prof. Zhang Jian, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Macau, encouraged young scholars to inherit the humanistic concerns of literary classics and promote the future of Chinese scholarship. Prof. Xu Jie, President of the Jiangsu Ancient Literature Society, recited a poem, hoping that the meeting would create a new academic atmosphere that integrates tradition and innovation, gathers academic wisdom, and continues the legacy of literary traditions.

This forum featured five keynote speeches and two panel discussions, with discussants participating in each session. On the first day, the first keynote address interpreted the multiple aspects of classical texts, with four scholars discussing topics such as character evaluations in the “Analects,” innovative interpretations of Han dynasty calendars, comparisons of variant texts from the Han dynasty, and the influence of Buddhist scripture translations on regulated verse. The second keynote focused on the historical dialogue between literature and socio-cultural contexts, with six scholars exploring the multifaceted effects of literary creation on order construction, classic interpretation, and genre evolution.

In the afternoon, the third keynote address concentrated on the clash between social change and literary theory. Six scholars examined the construction of Ming dynasty poetry history, the “discourse on arts” trend, the interactions between scholars and merchants, and the “celebrity effect” related to lyricists, revealing the deep connections between social mechanisms and literary canonization and theoretical innovation. The fourth keynote address addressed the reconstruction of dimensions in meaning, literature, and history, with four scholars discussing the Neo-Confucian implications in “Peony Pavilion,” the canonization process of anti-Japanese wartime lyric collections, political metaphors in “Dream of the Red Chamber,” and the centennial evolution of traditional novels, presenting new interpretations in a cross-temporal context.

The first day concluded with presentations by doctoral students from the Department of Chinese at the University of Macau. The first group focused on the multidimensional interpretation of historical texts, examining Han dynasty poetic citations, the origins of poetic theory, the rituals of Liu-Song dynasty inspections, and the interplay between literary works and institutional and intellectual histories. The second group highlighted the literary landscape of cross-border flows, discussing literary writings of Ming-Qing immigrants in Guizhou, poetry and prose from overseas travels, cultural memories in operas, and sensory narratives in novels, revealing the rich cultural dimensions and text production mechanisms of literary creation across time and space.

On the second day, the fifth keynote showcased methodological breakthroughs in tradition and innovation. Six scholars discussed topics ranging from the meanings in the “I Ching,” poetics criticism, to the issue of “poetry history,” demonstrating the cross-domain tension between classic interpretation and digital humanities through the evolution of historical narratives, inscription version studies, and large language model experiments in poetics.

After in-depth discussions and intellectual exchanges, the forum concluded successfully. The closing ceremony was hosted by Professor Wang Sihao from the University of Macau, where Professor Xu Jie filled in a lyric lamenting the gathering of talents in Macau, stirring thoughts and preserving elegance, expressing hopes for academic inheritance and a new chapter in the future. Professor Zhang Jian echoed the opening remarks, encouraging young scholars to contemplate universal academic principles and take on the future of Chinese scholarship. We look forward to future “Su-Kong-Macau” forums on ancient literature and culture, working together to create new chapters in classical literary research.

As one of the inaugural member institutions of the Chinese History and Culture Promotion Base, Escola Estrela do Mar has maintained a close and productive partnership with the University of Macau (UM) Centre for Chinese History and Culture. To further strengthen collaboration and explore future initiatives, Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of the UM Centre, led a delegation to Escola Estrela do Mar on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, 2025. The delegation included Principal Administrative Officer Ms. Kuan Sio In, Administrative Officer Mr. Wong Keng Mang, and Administrative staff Ms. Tong Ho Kei.

During the meeting, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on cultural event planning, teacher professional development, and student experiential education. Principal Kolbe Vong of Escola Estrela do Mar proposed co-organizing a “Chinese Culture Day” with the Centre, aiming to integrate more classical Chinese cultural elements and deepen students’ understanding of traditional heritage. Noting challenges in funding and venue logistics, he called for resource integration to advance the project. Principal Vong also emphasized enhancing teacher expertise, suggesting specialized training programs and requesting the Centre’s support in developing history and culture curricula to strengthen pedagogical capacity.

Dr. Cheang Neng Ian invited Escola Estrela do Mar to participate in the “Patriotic-themed Cultural Tours,” aligning with the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to deepen patriotic education. He proposed a multi-school collaborative model to foster inter-school exchanges.

The visit has breathed new vitality into the partnership between Escola Estrela do Mar and the UM Centre for Chinese History and Culture. Both institutions jointly pledged to focus on cultural heritage preservation and educational practices, further deepening collaboration in youth cultural cultivation. They aim to collectively contribute to promoting China’s outstanding traditional culture and elevating the cultural literacy of Macao’s youth.

In commemoration of history and in remembrance of our heroic martyrs, to inherit and promote the great spirit of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and patriotism, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 26th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the “Retracing the Footsteps of the Dongjiang Column: Macao Education Leaders’ Visiting and Exchange Delegation” was held from April 12 to 14. The event was jointly organized by the General Association of Macau Guangzhou Associations, the San Mei Natives General Association of Macau, the Association of Hoi Luk Fung, the Association of Huizhou Macau, the Macao Chong San Association, and the Macau Education and Youth Development Bureau. The delegation visited four places in Guangdong Province—Zhongshan, Shantou, Huizhou, and Guangzhou—to revisit the history of the Dongjiang Column and deepen patriotic education. More than 40 leaders from the Macao education sector, including Prof. Zhang Yan, director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau（UM）, participated in this meaningful visit and exchange activity.

On the morning of the 12th, the visiting and exchange delegation held a solemn inauguration ceremony in Zhongshan. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Gu Family Ancestral Hall, the Yang Yin’s Former Residence, and the Yang Yin Martyr Memorial Exhibition. At Yang Yin’s Former Residence, through precious cultural relics, vivid pictures, and detailed information, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of Yang Yin’s life dedicated to the revolutionary cause and deeply felt his firm belief and selfless dedication.

In the afternoon of the 12th, the delegation moved from Zhongshan to Shantou. At TongLuoZhai Village and the former site of the CPC Hailufeng Central County Committee (Qinyuan), they paid homage to the red cultural relics and listened to heroic stories. Local guides vividly narrated the combat history and revolutionary deeds of the Dongjiang Column in the Shantou area, allowing the members of the delegation to feel as if they had traveled back in time to the war-torn era. They profoundly realized that this red land of Shantou has nurtured countless heroes who made significant contributions to the victory of the Chinese revolution.

On the morning of the 13th, the delegation continued their journey in Shantou, heading to Haifeng County to visit the Red Palace Memorial Museum. Haifeng is the birthplace of China’s first Soviet regime. Peng Pai, a pioneer of the Chinese peasant movement and one of the early important leaders of the Communist Party of China, was called the “King of Peasant Movement” by Mao Zedong. This was the revolutionary venue where Peng Pai and other Communists led the people of Hailufeng to establish the first Soviet regime. With a reverent heart, the delegation members delved into the history of the Chinese peasant movement and the revolutionary deeds of Martyr Peng Pai.

At noon on the 13th, the delegation moved from Shantou to Huizhou, visiting the former site of the Dongjiang Column Command Department and the Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall in Boluo County. At the former site of the Dongjiang Column Command Department, it seemed as if they could see the commanders of the Dongjiang Column planning and directing battles. The memorial hall, with its rich exhibits and detailed historical materials, comprehensively displayed the development process and brilliant achievements of the Dongjiang Column. Through the visit, the delegation members gained a deeper understanding of the history of the Dongjiang Column, further enhancing their national pride and sense of responsibility.

In the evening of the 13th, the delegation arrived in Guangzhou and held a sharing session at Taoranxuan on Ersha Island. The event invited Ms. Peng Yina, granddaughter of Martyr Peng Pai, to give a themed speech. She spoke on “Devoted to the Country’s Woes—The Patriotism and Family Tradition of Peng Pai,” recounting the touching story of how Peng Pai, despite his wealthy background, was deeply concerned about the country’s peril and the people’s suffering. He gave up his family fortune to join the revolution and sacrificed his life for the ideal of saving the country. She also shared the story of her family member, Academician Peng Shilu, who dedicated himself to China’s nuclear submarine industry. She called on the younger generation of Macao to remember their original aspirations and continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of Macao and the country.

This “Retracing the Footsteps of the Dongjiang Column: Macao Education Leaders’ Visiting and Exchange Delegation” activity was not only a red journey but also a heritage of spirit. Through on-site visits, listening to explanations, and sharing experiences, the delegation profoundly understood the connotation and value of the Dongjiang Column spirit, further strengthening the cultural exchange and emotional connection between Macao and the mainland. In the days to come, this red spirit will take root in the education sector of Macao. The CCHC of the UM will continue to promote the revolutionary spirit, inspiring more Macao youth to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of the Chinese Dream.