On 23rd August 2023 (Wednesday), the International Symposium on the Transmission and Exchange of Chinese Culture in Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, hosted by the International Confucian Association (ICA) and the University of Macau (UM), with co-organising by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the UM, and the Liaison Committee of the ICA, was successfully held at the Cultural Building of the UM.
More than 30 experts and scholars from home and abroad participated in this symposium through both online and offline channels, and discussed in detail the current situation, significance and suggestions of Chinese culture dissemination and exchange in Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries from the perspectives of literature, history, translation, education, art, religion, etc. The symposium aimed to promote the dissemination of Chinese culture in Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries, strengthen the dissemination and exchange of Chinese culture between Mainland China and Macao as well as China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and further expand the influence of Chinese culture in Macao as well as to facilitate the mutual understanding and cultural exchanges with the Portuguese-speaking countries.
LI, Defeng, Associate Dean and Distinguished Professor of FAH of the UM, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony that this symposium, jointly organized by the two organizers, had a very special significance. The symposium is based in Macao, connecting Beijing and Macao, and facing the world. While telling the story of China and Macao to the Portuguese-speaking countries, the symposium also allows us to listen to the unique insights of our friends from the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Xu Yongji, Deputy Secretary General, International Confucian Association (ICA)and Director of the Membership Liaison Committee, said that the symposium aims to further strengthen academic exchanges between the Mainland and Macao, and between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in the fields of Confucianism and the study and dissemination of traditional culture, to give full play to the advantages of the resources of the Macao region’s universities and cultural organizations, to promote cultural exchanges and co-operation with Portuguese-speaking countries, and to promote mutual learning and mutual appreciation among the culture of Confucianism and the civilization of Asia, as well as the civilizations of the rest of the world.
Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC and Director of Research Centre for Humanities in South China, said that this symposium has achieved academic targets in terms of Confucianism roots, cultural style, global vision, practical observation, Macao characteristics, academic orientation, etc. It has demonstrated the colorfulness of Chinese culture and touched upon all aspects of Confucianism and Chinese civilization, which makes it a very successful academic symposium.
Other guests attending the symposium include Li Huanmei, Deputy Director of the Membership Liaison Committee of the ICA, Kong Deli, Director of the ICA, Zhou Long, Associate Dean of Graduate School of City University of Macau (CityU) on behalf of Vice-Rector Ip Kuai Peng, Andréda da Silva Bueno, Council Director of the ICA, Elisabetta Colla, Council member of the ICA, Huo Xinwu, member of the ICA, Giorgio Sinedino, member of the ICA, Wang Cheng’an, Chief Expert of the Centre for Portuguese-speaking Countries, Institute of Regional Studies, University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Tan Shulin, Associate Dean of the School of History, Nanjing University, Ye Nong, Director of the Macao Research Institute of Jinan University, Ding Chuanwei, Director of the School of Wushu and Performance, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Li Jing , the Faculty of Humanities, CityU, Zhao Haixia, University International College of the Macau University of Science and Technology, Iao Weng Man ,Vice Principal of KaoYip Middle School Macao on behalf of the Principal, Chong Chon Fai, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Pui Ching Middle School, Macao, Deng Siping, Council Director of the ICA, Lai Hong, President of Macau Taoist organization , Chen Zhong, Deputy Director of Confucius Institute of the UM, Tang, Chon Chit, Professor of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, UM, Wang Sihao, Associate Professor of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, UM, Sio, Chio Ieong, Assistant Professor of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, UM, Yeung Siu Kwai, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Education of the UM, and other experts and scholars from home and abroad.
Chinese traditional culture is the lifeblood of the Chinese nation’s spirit, the source of its values, and the foundation of its people, and it is a solid foundation for standing firm in the cultural turbulence of the world. Under the new development pattern of the new era, the successful holding of this symposium has assumed the important mission of Macao as a venue for cross-cultural exchanges between the East and the West, and has added mortar to the building of a modern civilization for the Chinese nation.
(Group photo with guests)
Speech by LI, Defeng, Associate Dean and Distinguished Professor of FAH of the UM
Speech by Xu Yongji, Deputy Secretary General of ICA
Speech by Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC
Souvenirs presented by both parties
On-line Speech by Andréda da Silva Bueno, Council Director of the ICA and Professor of International Political Relations
Speech by Giorgio Sinedino, member of the ICA
On-line Speech by Elisabetta Colla, Council member of the ICA and Professor of University of Lisbon
