Kaleidoscopic perspectives on Chinese studies
The first joint forum on Chinese studies by CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen, Par Excellence: The First CUHK–CHUK-Shenzhen Forum on Chinese Studies, was held on the University’s Shenzhen campus on 20 April.
Co-organised by the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of CUHK and the Chinese Studies Division of the School of Humanities and Social Science of CUHK-Shenzhen, the forum was a celebratory activity of the 10th anniversary of CUHK-Shenzhen. It featured seven individual presentations and six poster presentations by graduate students of the two campuses, with 14 professors offering their feedback and comments.
The forum was opened by Professor Jin Jia from the School of Humanities and Social Science of CUHK-Shenzhen. Professor Chen Jie, the School’s associate dean, delivered an opening speech, where he extended a warm welcome to all. After that, Professor Tang Sze-wing, chair of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at CUHK, addressed the audience, where he expressed hope that the two campuses may strengthen cooperation and academic exchange, in order to bolster the development of Chinese language and literature.
Centring on classical Chinese literature and classical Chinese texts, the forum’s morning session featured three presentations. They were “‘Shiyilaozi Tianxia Jue, Tanshi Aishan Wushiqing’: Chen Yan’s Identity Construction and Establishment in the Tongguang School (1898–1916)” by Yim Shui-bun from CUHK, “From the ‘History of Poems’ to the ‘History of Heart’: Reconciliation of the ‘Divided Self’ Mentality in Wu Weiye’s Poetry Practice” by Cao Zhe from CUHK-Shenzhen, and “Exploring the Fundamental Questions of ‘Nature’ in the Analects” by Chan Chun-fai from CUHK.
Professors and students exchanged ideas about the poster presentations during the tea break. Six posters, including “On Discovery and Repression of Modern Children: A Case Study of Kidworld” by Wang Nga-ching from CUHK, “Female Writing in Turbulent Times: Exploring Su Qing’s Concern towards Women during the Japanese Occupation through the Lens of Heaven and Earth” by Wang Nga-sze from CUHK, “Comparison of the Characters of Hongniang and Xiren: With a Discussion of the Identity Dilemma and Recognition of the Maids” by Liang Yan from CUHK-Shenzhen, “How could Plum Blossoms Bear the Regret, Blooming Afar and Alone?—A Commentary on Li Shangyin’s Three Poems on Plum Blossoms” by Sheng Minghan from CUHK-Shenzhen, “Worldly Odyssey and Foreign Imagination: With a Discussion of the Creative Consciousness in The Assassin Centered on Alienation” by Wang Yudi from CUHK-Shenzhen, and “Xiao Tong or Xiao Tong?—An Investigation of Using ‘肖’ instead of ‘蕭’” by Wang Ziyi from CUHK-Shenzhen, were presented on the occasion.
Four presentations in the afternoon session, with a focus on modern and contemporary Chinese literature, include “Lights and Shadows in Flux: On the Manifestation of I Ching Imagery in Chinese-language Cinema” by Miao Yumeng from CUHK-Shenzhen, “Literary Montage: Flowing Words and Light—Exploring the Cinematic Sense of Liu Yichang’s Novels with The Drunkard as an Example” by Liang Beining from CUHK-Shenzhen, “Literary Features of Jing School in Ta Kung Pao Literary Supplement: A Case Study of Shen Congwen’s Works Published in Ta Kung Pao Literary Supplement (1933-1935)” by Zou Lilei from CUHK, and “Unreachable Homeland: Investigating the Oracle Bone Script in Huang Jinshu’s Novels” by Yang Zhouzi from CUHK-Shenzhen.
After the presentations, professors gave comments and suggestions. Other participants also offered their takes, proposing refreshing views about the content they were familiar with.
As the curtain came down on the forum, Professor Xing Wen, coordinator of the master of arts in Chinese language and literature programme at CUHK-Shenzhen, addressed the audience. Speaking about how he felt throughout the forum, he expressed gratitude to all staff involved in making the event a success, and to all teachers and students of both campuses for their support. After that, the group made the most of their visit to the Shenzhen campus, touring around the University Library, Diligentia College, and Fairy Lake.
