The “Discover China” Open Day, hosted by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast, welcomed nearly 600 visitors – both Chinese and non-Chinese – to its first-ever outdoor public event on Saturday 27th June.
Open Day Programme. Photo credit: Chen Zhi
Celebrating both China’s rich cultural traditions and its modern development, the Open Day featured a wide range of interactive activities and exhibitions designed to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Hands-on experiences included trying on traditional Chinese costumes, using chopsticks, tasting Chinese cuisine, writing Chinese calligraphy bookmarks, playing table tennis, and taking part in dragon dance and taiji demonstrations. Visitors also enjoyed traditional Chinese opera and the spectacular face-changing performance.
Cultural performance – Sichuan Opera face-changing. Photo credit: Liang Wang
Cultural performance – opera with long-sleeve dance. Photo credit: Liang Wang
Alongside these activities, a series of exhibitions showcased Chinese books, the China Story Photography Exhibition, and new energy vehicles, offering visitors further opportunities to explore China’s cultural heritage, technological innovation, and contemporary development.
Exhibition – New energy vehicles with Chinese brands on display. Photo credit: Chen Zhi
With its family-friendly atmosphere and diverse programme, the event provided an enjoyable and engaging introduction to Chinese culture for people from a wide range of communities across Northern Ireland.
Led by their tutor, Sharon Fan, a group of learners from Queen’s Language Centre’s Chinese language programme also attended the Open Day, experiencing Chinese language and culture beyond the classroom.
Group photo – LC staff with learners. Photo credit: Liang Wang
Group photo – LC staff with learners. Photo credit: Liang Wang
Hannah, a Queen’s graduate who completed her studies a couple of years ago but has continued learning with the Chinese programme ever since, described her exciting experience as follows:
There were many stalls set up with a different activity at each. We got free Chinese books (which are extremely useful as a learner of the language), got to participate in a chopsticks challenge, had our English names transcribed into Chinese characters, did the dragon dance together, watched cultural performances, and got to dress up in traditional Chinese Hanfu!
When you completed the cultural or traditional activity at each stall, you got a unique stamp. This was a fun addition to the day and you even got a small prize at the end for collecting them all.
Maeve particularly valued the opportunities for cultural exchange and personal engagement throughout the event. She reflected:
I feel like cultural exchange and language learning go hand in hand, so I was definitely excited to experience what was on offer. The many dancers and dragon performances were captivating to watch and I particularly loved seeing all the beautiful traditional Hanfu and how everyone, young and old, was enjoying dressing up! It felt like a little piece of China in Belfast…
A hands-on experience of Dragon Dance. Photo credit: Sharon Fan
Drawing on her travel experience in China last year, Hannah echoed Maeve’s observations about the value of authentic cultural engagement in a local setting:
Having travelled to China last year, I felt this was an excellent representation and showcase of Chinese culture and also a fantastic way for people new to it to experience and engage with it for the first time.
Leysley-Anne, also Queen’s graduate from School of Biological Sciences, also shared her thoughts:
I think my favourite thing about the day by far was the people’s encouragement, joy, and surprise when we attempted to speak to them in Mandarin. Even though our pronunciation and grammar were far from perfect, everyone we spoke to kindly encouraged us and were so patient, frequently having to repeat themselves when we didn’t quite understand. Experiences like this are truly encouraging when trying to learn a new language – especially one so difficult.
We left the day slightly sun burnt but very happy with a new sense of determination in learning Mandarin!
Hannah also echoed Leysley-Anne’s sentiments, paying tribute to the Consular staff:
All the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly, and very receptive and supportive when I attempted to speak Chinese with them. This was extremely encouraging and motivating as a learner of the language.
An absolutely fantastic day, very well thought out and lots of fun! I’ll be keeping a keen eye out for any future events!
Consulate General of P.R.C. in Belfast. Photo credit: Chen Zhi
On 23 June, Northern Ireland (NI) experienced its hottest day of the year so far. The inaugural China Research Forum NI matched the heat with an equally energetic atmosphere, bringing together around 30 participants for lively discussions on a wide range of China-related topics at the McClay Library Auditorium, Queen’s University Belfast.
Jointly organised by the Chinese Students’ and Scholars’ Associations of Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, under the guidance of the Association of British Chinese Professors (ABCP) Northern Ireland Region and Queen’s Language Centre, the Forum provided a vibrant platform for academic exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue. Professor Huiru Zheng, coordinator of ABCP NI, in her welcome speech, emphasized that
“At a time when global challenges increasingly require international perspectives and cross-cultural understanding, initiatives such as this forum play an important role in promoting informed dialogue and constructive engagement. Beyond the academic programme, the forum’s commitment to public lectures, roundtable discussions, and community engagement reflects the broader goal of connecting scholarship with society and fostering mutual understanding.
ABCP is especially proud to support this student-led initiative. By encouraging research excellence, intercultural competence, and active community participation, the forum embodies values that are central to our mission. We hope it will not only showcase outstanding research but also inspire new partnerships, future collaborations, and lasting academic networks.”
Mr Thomas Smith, Queen’s Language Centre Manager, welcomed participants from both universities and elsewhere, highlighting the value of forstering academic and professional skill sets through intercultural awareness, in which language and cultural understanding plays a pivotal role. The Language Centre at Queen’s does not merely provide foreign language courses, but also help promote a multicultural campus and society.
Miss Le Zheng, President of the Chinese Students’ and Scholars’ Association (CSSA) at Queen’s, although unable to attend the Forum due to a conference commitment outside Belfast, sent a recorded welcome message to participants, expressing her support for the initiative and encouraging attendees to make the most of this valuable opportunity for meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange. She wished everyone a productive and engaging forum, fostering new ideas, connections, and collaborations across disciplinary boundaries.
Dr Liang Wang, facilitator of this event, made a brief introduction to the foundation of the Forum and emphasized the goal of this initiative — a platform by students, for students and with students. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all speakers, volunteers, sponsors and participants’ support in making it happen within a relatively short period of preparation.
The presentations covered a rich variety of themes, including heritage literacy, religious practices, women and fashion, technology and healthcare, history and literature, language learning and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), mothering and migrant motherhood, as well as student-led initiatives such as a film festival and an academic journal.
Speaker Heng WANG
Speaker Heng WANG
Speaker Wanyu LI
Speaker Wanyu LI
Speaker Caoyang SHI
Speaker Caoyang SHI
Speaker Jin YAN
Speaker Jin YAN
Speaker Zhuofei BIAN
Speaker Zhuofei BIAN
Speaker Junyue LI
Speaker Junyue LI
Speakers Tianpeng YAO and Xiaoxiang MA
Speakers Tianpeng YAO and Xiaoxiang MA
Group photo of speakers
Group photo of speakers
This breadth of topics fostered a highly interactive and intercultural environment, encouraging meaningful discussions and insightful exchanges between speakers and audience members from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds. Thanks to the speakers, a collection of their presentations can be reviewed from the following link:
The Panel Discussion, chaired by Dr Liang Wang, welcomed student representatives Lijun Xue, Zhuofei Bian, Tianpeng Yao, and Xiaoxiang Ma as panellists. The discussion focused on the Forum’s vision, operational model, the challenges faced by Chinese students and early-career researchers, institutional support, potential outcomes, and future development. The panel was further enriched by contributions from Professor Sha Wei, Academic Lead for Race and Cultural Inclusion at Queen’s, and Professor Huiru Zheng, coordinator of ABCP NI.
A clear consensus emerged among both panellists and audience members that the Forum provides a valuable platform for researchers to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from one another across disciplinary boundaries. Participants agreed that this mutually beneficial spirit should remain central to future Forum activities, regardless of their format. Another key benefit identified was the opportunity for presenters to step outside their disciplinary comfort zones. Rather than presenting solely to supervisors and specialists within their own fields, participants were encouraged to communicate their research to a broader audience from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. This shift promoted the development of transferable communication and engagement skills, aligning closely with the objectives of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.
Panellists also expressed a shared aspiration for the Forum to become more inclusive by attracting non-Chinese scholars and research students working on China-related topics or research involving local Chinese communities. Professor Zheng noted that comparative studies involving both China and other contexts, such as Northern Ireland, could be particularly effective in fostering dialogue and attracting wider participation. Drawing on their recent conference experiences in Dublin, both Lijun Xue and Dr Liang Wang suggested that expanding the Forum’s scope to include broader Asian or East Asian studies may be a worthwhile long-term goal.
Regarding the challenges faced by Chinese students in the UK, Zhuofei Bian observed, based on her own research, that many obstacles are shared by international students more generally, including language barriers and the development of professional and practical skills required for success in intercultural academic environments. While emphasising the importance of students proactively seeking support from supervisors and university services, she also argued that universities should provide more streamlined and accessible signposting to key resources, including academic English support, careers guidance, and skills development opportunities, especially in the age of AI.
In addition to academic challenges, participants discussed the impact of cultural adaptation, local living conditions, and wider political and economic developments on students’ wellbeing. Drawing on her own experiences, Lijun Xue highlighted how unfamiliar cultural norms and practical aspects of daily life can create uncertainty and anxiety for international students. She suggested that universities should strengthen orientation programmes and cultural awareness initiatives to help students better understand local contexts and engage confidently with surrounding communities. Professor Sha Wei echoed these concerns and reaffirmed the University’s responsibility to ensure that students experiencing difficulties receive appropriate support and guidance.
Another topic that generated considerable interest was the impact of technological advancement on research and professional development. Drawing on his recent job application experiences in China, Tianpeng Yao explained how AI is increasingly becoming a factor in recruitment processes and professional assessment. He suggested that AI is likely to have a profound influence on the future academic and employment landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for emerging researchers.
When discussing the future dissemination of Forum outcomes, Xiaoxiang Ma, Chief Editor of the Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture, highlighted the importance of transforming suitable presentations into publications. Alongside more immediate forms of dissemination, such as blogs and online platforms, he suggested that publication opportunities could provide a strategic mechanism for sustaining the Forum’s academic impact and visibility.
Due to time constraints, the discussion could not explore all topics in depth. Participants were therefore invited to continue contributing their ideas and suggestions through the Forum evaluation form, enabling a broader collection of feedback to inform future development.
Written by Dr Liang Wang, with contributions from notes taken by Junyue Li during the panel discussion.
Tuesday 23 June 2026 1:00 – 4:30 pm The Auditorium, McClay Library, Queen’s University Belfast
Programme
1:00-1:10 Registration (Tea/Coffee)
1:10-1:30 Welcome and Introduction
1:30-1:50 Session 1 Heritage literacy in the lives of Chinese Muslims (Heng WANG)
1:50-2:10 Session 2 From Theatre Boxes to Cinemas: Chinese Women’s Entertainment Choices in the Cultural Contexts of East and West in the Early 20th Century (Wanyu LI)
2:10-2:30 Session 3 E-cigarette Exposure, CFTR Dysfunction and Airway Inflammation: A China-Focused Airway Epithelial Study (Caoyang SHI)
2:30-2:50 Session 4 Translation of Chinese Anti-Japanese War Literature and Reconstruction of China’s Wartime Image: A Case Study of Stories of China at War (Jin YAN)
2:50-3:00 Break and Poster Harmony Beyond Borders – A Cross-cultural Fusion of Guzheng and Irish Traditional Music(Wei DENG)
3:00-3:20 Session 5 Barriers and motivations in language learning for Second Language Speakers in UK higher education: Impacts of AI (Zhuofei BIAN)
3:20-3:40 Session 6 The Dignity of Migrant Mothering: Doing Morality within Class, Ethnicity, and Gender among Chinese Migrant Mothers in the UK (Junyue LI)
3:40-3:50 Session 7 Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival (Dr Tianpeng YAO)
3:50-4:00 Session 8 Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture (Xiaoxiang MA)
4:00-4:20 Panel discussion – The Future of China Research Forum NI (Liang WANG, Xiaoyi ZHANG, Lijun XUE, Zhuofei BIAN, Tianpeng YAO, Xiaoxiang MA)
4:20-4:30 Closing ceremony and group photo (Dr Liang WANG)
Speakers and Presentations
Speaker 1: Heng WANG
Title: Heritage literacy in the lives of Chinese Muslims
Abstract: With an ethnographic approach, the researchers observed key heritage literacy event, daily illustration, art demonstration and religious practices among Chinese Muslims. Rich research findings and output were carried out by several publications. Keywords: Chinese Muslim, religious practice, heritage literacy, ethnography
Bio: Heng Wang served as a research assistant of several research projects on heritage literacy of Chinese Muslims. She also is a language and Chinese classical dance teacher.
Speaker 2: Wanyu LI
Title: From Theatre Boxes to Cinemas: Chinese Women’s Entertainment Choices in the Cultural Contexts of East and West in the Early 20th Century
Abstract: In modern Chinese society, the influence of Western cultural imports extended beyond mere ideas or institutions. It quietly reshaped the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people through everyday practices—clothing, food, housing, transportation, entertainment, and consumption. Although cinema briefly aligned with traditional Chinese theatre upon its introduction, the medium’s inherent characteristics and the Western values of equality, openness, and freedom ultimately diverged its path from that of Chinese theatre. This divergence helped Chinese women more keenly discern differences between local theatre and Western cinema in spatial experience, textual interpretation, and modernity. The darkness of cinema screening environments facilitated female audiences in expressing emotions, satisfying curiosity, and even engaging with the opposite sex. The direct realism of film production enabled women to comprehend and utilize cinematic content. The “Western” attribute of cinema as an imported art form empowered women to achieve economic independence, embrace modern fashion, and foster social interaction. In this convergence of Chinese and Western cultures, cinema’s inclusivity toward female audiences stemmed both from Western society’s more relaxed gender norms and from film’s relatively recent introduction to China, where it had yet to be heavily shaped by local ideologies. Moreover, the prevailing reformist currents of the era provided significant public support for this cultural shift. By examining shifts in early 20th-century Chinese women’s entertainment choices, we gain a more nuanced, everyday perspective on modern China’s feminist movement. When women’s entry into public spaces became viewed as “anti-traditional,” their cultural consumption choices took on greater subjective meaning. Keywords: Modern China; Cinema; Theatre; Female Audience; Sino-Western Exchange
Bio: Wanyu LI is a PhD candidate in History at Zhejiang University, China, currently a visiting student at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research focuses on modern Chinese history, with a particular interest in the history of women in the Republican period. She has published several articles in Chinese academic journals, on topics including women’s film-going and social interactions, and the Nationalist government’s policies towards military families.
Speaker 3: Caoyang SHI
Title: E-cigarette Exposure, CFTR Dysfunction and Airway Inflammation: A China-Focused Airway Epithelial Study
Abstract: Electronic cigarette use has become an important respiratory health concern in China, where regulation has tightened but mechanistic evidence on airway epithelial toxicity remains limited. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is rare and often atypically diagnosed in Chinese populations; however, CFTR dysfunction is also relevant to broader airway diseases, including mucus dehydration, impaired epithelial defence and chronic inflammation. This project will investigate how key e-cigarette toxicants, particularly nicotine and acrolein, affect CFTR expression and inflammatory responses in airway epithelial cells. Human bronchial epithelial models, including 16HBE cells and, where available, CF-relevant cell models, will be exposed to defined concentrations of nicotine, acrolein or e-cigarette aerosol extract. Cell viability, CFTR mRNA/protein expression, epithelial barrier integrity, and inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-8 will be assessed. Protease-related responses, including MMPs and serine protease/SERPIN imbalance, may also be explored to link epithelial injury with airway remodelling. The study aims to clarify whether e-cigarette exposure can reduce CFTR abundance or function and thereby promote a CF-like airway inflammatory phenotype. By connecting molecular toxicology with China-relevant tobacco-control and rare-disease contexts, this proposal may provide evidence to support respiratory risk assessment, youth vaping prevention, and future research on CFTR-related airway disease in Chinese populations. Key words: E-cigarettes; CFTR; airway epithelium; acrolein; China
Bio: Caoyang SHI is a PhD candidate from School of Pharmacy.
Speaker 4: Jin YAN
Title: Translation of Chinese Anti-Japanese War Literature and Reconstruction of China’s Wartime Image: A Case Study of Stories of China at War
Abstract: Chinese Anti-Japanese War Literature is an important part of the world’s anti-fascist literature. Stories of China at War is the first collection of short stories about the Chinese Anti-Japanese War published simultaneously in the US and the UK. It includes sixteen English translations of stories set against the background of the Chinese Anti-Japanese War, which present a multidimensional picture of wartime China. Stories of China at War not only inherits the mainstream tradition of Chinese Anti-Japanese War literature but also echoes the core demands of external propaganda. It reflects how the Chinese Anti-Japanese War literature going global rediscovers and reshapes the national image. This paper explores how Stories of China at War reconstructs the image of wartime China in the process of translation and dissemination, summarizes the paths and characteristics of Chinese Anti-Japanese War literature’s translation and dissemination in the English world, and reveals the significance of the translation and dissemination of Chinese Anti-Japanese War literature for the reconstruction of China’s image in the world. Keywords: Stories of China at War; translation and dissemination; China’s wartime image
Bio: Jin YAN is an Associate Professor in Foreign Languages School at Changsha University of Science and Technology, China. Her research interests include translation sociology and national image construction. Currently she is a visiting scholar in Centre of Translation and Interpretation, Queen’s University Belfast.
Speaker 5: Zhuofei BIAN
Title: Barriers and motivations in language learning for Second Language Speakers in UK higher education: Impacts of AI
Abstract: International students from non-English-speaking backgrounds (including Chinese students) often face emotional and behavioural challenges in English-medium university classrooms, particularly in managing language anxiety and participating in oral discussions. Despite demonstrating adequate academic competence, many hesitate to speak in class due to fear of negative evaluation, unfamiliarity with classroom discourse norms, or concerns about accent bias. This study investigates how international students use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, ELSA Speak) to manage classroom-related language anxiety and support oral participation in UK higher education.
Preliminary analyses show three key themes: (1) AI tools – particularly ChatGPT – help reduce anxiety by offering private, low-stakes rehearsal spaces, especially for students with lower speaking confidence; (2) students who use AI to prepare for discussions report increased willingness to speak in class; and (3) excessive reliance on AI may inhibit spontaneous participation and self-initiated contributions.
Keywords: international student, language learning, SLA, language anxiety, motivation, classroom participation
Bio: Zhuofei BIAN is a PhD student in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in international students’ second language acquisition and psychological experiences, including language anxiety, confidence, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging. I hold an MSc in TESOL from the University of Glasgow and have a strong interest in educational psychology, language learning, and AI-supported education.
Speaker 6: Junyue LI
Title: The Dignity of Migrant Mothering: Doing Morality within Class, Ethnicity, and Gender among Chinese Migrant Mothers in the UK
Abstract: As Chinese migrant women in the UK become increasingly diverse in class compositions and family ethnic compositions, existing literature often fails to capture the complex practices and implications of migrant mothering. This project focuses on mothering among Chinese migrant mothers in the UK, examining how these mothers construct “good mothering” and draw moral boundaries against other mothers within and beyond their ethnic group to build identity and seek dignity for themselves and their children. Addressing these questions can further illuminate how their boundary work reproduces or transforms social inequalities of class, ethnicity, and gender. This project develops a multi-layered theoretical framework that combines symbolic interactionism, lay normativity, boundary-making, and intersectionality to understand mothers’ moral meaning-making and moral justifications embedded in their social positions. It draws on semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and diary logs to collect data.
By highlighting the moral rationales of ideologies and practices, this project links external norms with internal reflections, and connects macro structures, meso social interactions, and micro moral emotions and justifications. It enriches motherhood studies by highlighting mothers’ agency, taking migrant mothers not merely as an interest-maximiser or culture follower, but also as a morality negotiant and a dignity defender. It contributes to migration studies by exploring diversity and divisions within ethnic groups and fluidity of ethnic boundaries. Keywords: Chinese mothers, migrant motherhood, boundary work, dignity, identity
Bio: Junyue LI is a first-year PhD student in Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research interests include family, motherhood, migration, morality, and intersectionality of ethnicity, class, and gender. Her PhD project, funded by a DfE scholarship, focuses on moral experiences of Chinese migrant mothers in the UK and the relationships between these experiences and the social hierarchies of ethnicity, class, and gender.
Bio: Dr Tianpeng YAO is a PhD graduate in Film Studies from School of Arts, English and Languages, Queen’s University Belfast. Among many achievements he has made and awards he has won, he successfully founded the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival in 2024, with the Queen’s Annual Fund sponsorship.
Bio: Xiaoxiang Ma is a PhD researcher in Film Studies at Queen’s University Belfast. His research focuses on Hong Kong horror cinema, with particular attention to genre, cultural identity, nostalgia, and the representation of anxiety in films from the 1980s to the 2000s. He is also a Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival committee member and editor of the Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture.
Acknowledgement
The Forum is co-hosted by the Queen’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (QUB CSSA) and the Ulster University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (UU CSSA), with support from the Queen’s Language Centre and the Association of British Chinese Professors Northern Ireland (ABCP-NI), and partial sponsorship from EKou Xian.
This year Duanwu Festival (端午节 Duānwǔjié), also known as Dragon Boat Festival (龙舟节 Lóngzhōujié), falls on Friday 19th June.
To mark the occasion, two celebratory events were organised prior to the festival: one on campus at Queen’s University Belfast and the other in the local community. Together, these events provided opportunities to explore the history, customs, and cultural significance of one of China’s traditional festivals.
Celebration 1: Two Festivals, One Celebration: Duanwu and Dano Mid-Summer Social
Jointly organised by QUB iRise Staff Network and The Language Centre, Queen’s staff enjoyed attending a mid-summer social event that successfully celebrated both the Chinese Duanwu Festival and the Korean Danoje Festival, two traditional East Asian festivals that occur around the same time of year. The event was organised as an opportunity to promote intercultural understanding, community building, and a sense of belonging among staff from a diverse cultural background.
Dr Bee-Yen gave a welcome.
Prof Wei Sha gave a welcome.
The morning began with opening remarks from the iRise Co-Chair, Dr. Bee-Yen Toh who introduced the work of iRise and reflected on the network’s growing programme of activities, encouraging more staff participantion and contribution to its Cultural Diversity Scheme. The REC Academic Lead Prof Wei Sha also offered welcoming remarks before the event moved into two cultural presentations: Dr. Liang Wang from China introduced Duanwujie, while Dr Suyhun Kim from Korea introduced Danoje.
Dr Liang Wang introduced Duanwu Festival.
Dr Shuyun Kim introduced Dano Festival.
The event was further enriched by a guzheng performance from Wei Deng, a graduate in Arts Management from the School of Arts, English and Languages. Wei, holding a Global Talent Visa, has been committed to integrating guzheng techniques with Irish music elements, with which she is going to host her guzheng concert at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music). Wei extended her invitation to QUB staff to attend her concert in coming August.
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.
Wei Deng communicated with Queen’s staff about her upcoming guzheng concert.
Colleagues also received calligraphy bookmarks featuring Chinese Duanwu Festival greetings and well-wishes, including messages of peace, health and good fortune. These small keepsakes, written by QUB Law student Shiuh Ting Gho, offered participants something personal to take away from the event, while also introducing the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and the meaning carried through written language.
Calligraphy bookmarks written by Shiuh Ting Gho.
Calligraphy bookmarks carrying festival greeting messages.
The Mid-Summer Social was a warm celebration of culture, language and shared learning. Through stories, music, food traditions, language and calligraphy, the event offered colleagues an opportunity to learn about Duanwujie and Danoje while strengthening a sense of connection across the University community.
Celebration 2: CWA Dragon Boat Festival and Wei Deng’s Concert Launch
The second celebration was hosted by the Chinese Welfare Association Northern Ireland (CWA) to support the local community’s Dragon Boat Festival celebration and the launch of Wei Deng’s upcoming concert. Distinguished guests included representatives from organisations and associations such as the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast, Arts Council Northern Ireland, National Museums NI, as well as members of other ethnic communities.
Ms Lili Wu, Directing Manager of CWA and Dr Liang Wang, Language Support Officer from Queen’s Language Centre, co-chaired the event.
Ms Lili Li, Vice-Chair of CWA, expressed her gratitude for the support received from partner organisations and individuals, whose contributions have helped foster the continued development of the Chinese community and its growing role in Belfast’s civic engagement and social cohesion. Madame Yanhua Wang, Deputy Consul-General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast, highly commended CWA’s long-standing service to the Chinese community and its important role in promoting multiculturalism and community integration in Belfast.
Ms Lili Li gave a welcome speech.
Madame Yanhua Wang gave a welcome speech.
The first half of the celebration featured the launch of Wei Deng’s concert. Wei shared stories from her artistic journey and personal development through intercultural learning since arriving at Queen’s as a postgraduate student in Arts Management. She also spoke about her continued engagement in innovative guzheng practice following her studies, both in China and Northern Ireland.
Wei Deng introduced her guzheng project and concert.
Wei Deng introduced her guzheng project and concert.
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.
Emphasising the value of intercultural exchange, she highlighted the integration of Irish musical elements into traditional Chinese guzheng performance and warmly invited the audience to attend her concert in August.
Event: Harmony Beyond Borders – An Enchanting Afternoon of Guzheng Music
Following Wei’s wonderful live performance, the second half of the celebration began with three cultural workshops, including Chinese calligraphy bookmark writing, zongzi-shaped ornament making, and a demonstration of traditional zongzi wrapping techniques. Making and eating zongzi (粽子) – traditional Chinese sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves and filled with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients – has been a symbolic Dragon Boat Festival custom for thousands of years.
Workshop tables set with decorations.
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.
Zongzi-shaped ornaments
Frame with an artisitc form of combined characters.
Calligraphy script and Wei’s concert poster
Zongzi materials ready for wrapping
Zongzi master answering questions.
Zongzi master deomstrating zongzi wrapping up techniques.
Zongzi master deomstrating wrapped-up zongzi.
After a delicious lunch was served, featuring mini-sized zongzi as a tasting dish, Dr Liang Wang hosted a Duanwu (Dragon Boat Festival) Culture Quiz, helping non-Chinese participants gain a deeper understanding of the festival’s history, traditions, and customs. This was followed by a tea-tasting session facilitated by Wei, who demonstrated traditional tea preparation and serving practices using Yungong Tea (云宫茶), a renowned tea produced in Chongqing, her hometown.
Tea ceremony preparation
Wei Deng demoed tea making technique
Wei Deng demonstrated tea making technique
Wei chatted with the audience
Wei surrounded by participants
Wei surrounded by participants
Culture, language, music, food, and entertainment combined to provide participants with a fascinating experience of intercultural discovery, cultural demonstration, and artistic appreciation. The guzheng-enhanced Dragon Boat Festival celebration fostered meaningful cultural exchange and friendship not only within the Chinese community but also among a wide range of communities across Belfast.
Welcome guests at the entrance
Dr Liang Wang co-chaired at the event.
Ms Lili Wu co-chaired at the event.
Group photo
Group photo
Volunteers busy preparing food.
Audience waiting in the hall for the start.
Deng Wei with Lili and Sally
Deng Wei with Rebecca Zhang
The event also served as an excellent example of Queen’s University’s commitment to civic engagement and community partnership, demonstrating its continued support for local communities through language, cultural and festival celebrations.
Welcome to the first China Research Forum, a platform for academics, researchers, students, and professionals in Northern Ireland and beyond who are interested in China-focused research and scholarly exchange.
The Forum aims to provide an inclusive space for participants from diverse disciplines to present research, share perspectives, and engage in dialogue on topics relating to China’s history, society, politics, economy, education, healthcare, and many other fields. Beyond academic exchange, the Forum will promote cultural understanding through public talks, panel discussions, and collaborative events that encourage dialogue among students, staff, and local communities.
By engaging audiences at Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and across the UK and Ireland, the Forum seeks to enhance public awareness of China-related issues and their global significance. As a sustainable, student-led initiative, the Forum also aims to foster research skills, cross-cultural literacy, and meaningful community engagement, contributing positively to both academic development and international understanding.
The Forum is co-hosted by the Queen’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (QUB CSSA) and the Ulster University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (UU CSSA), with support from the Queen’s Language Centre and the Association of British Chinese Professors Northern Ireland (ABCP-NI), and partial sponsorship from EKou Xian.
Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026 Time: 13:00–16:30 Venue: Auditorium, The McClay Library, Queen’s University Belfast
Registration: Free of charge, subject to room capacity. Priority will be given to those who wish to present their research and/or participate in the panel discussion.
May is a month blessed with pleasant weather and festive holidays, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities, travel, and sightseeing. During the May Day holiday, Zhuo Wen visited the Shanxi Museum and is delighted to share his experience with us in celebration of International Museum Day (18/05).
Zhuo Wen (文卓) holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast. During his postgraduate studies, he actively participated in cross-cultural exchange events and campus society activities, including cave exploration programmes across Northern Ireland. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, travelling, skiing, and sketching.
He currently works as a Senior Software Engineer at Bank of China Software Center.
A Journey Through China’s Ancient Civilization in Shanxi Province
During this May Day holiday, I visited the Shanxi Museum (山西博物院 Shānxī Bówùyuàn), located on West Binhe Road in Taiyuan (太原 Tàiyuán), the capital city of Shanxi Province, and embarked on a fascinating journey through the thousands of years of civilization preserved in local area.
The museum itself is impressive even before stepping inside. Its grand and solid architectural design resembles ancient Chinese bronze ding (鼎 dǐng) and dou (豆 dòu) vessels, radiating the rustic charm and cultural depth of this historic land. After booking tickets in advance, my encounter with history officially began.
Following the exhibition route, I traveled chronologically from ancient civilizations to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The first artifacts that caught my attention were the magnificent bronze treasures.
Among them, the Dragon-shaped Gong (觥 gōng) from the late Shang Dynasty (商朝 Shāngcháo) stood out immediately. Designed in the form of a towering mythical beast and covered with intricate decorative patterns, it fully demonstrates the grandeur and craftsmanship of Shang bronze ware (青铜器 qīngtóngqì).
Nearby was the beloved Bronze Owl, modelled as two owls standing back-to-back. With its round, plump shape and expressive face, it has been humorously nicknamed the “Shang Dynasty Angry Bird”. Despite its ancient origins, it feels unexpectedly adorable and approachable, drawing many visitors to stop for photos and admiration.
Another masterpiece is the Bronze Plate Held by a Human Figure atop a Divine Beast from the Warring States period. A small standing figure supports an exquisitely openworked plate while balanced atop a mythical creature, creating a lively and imaginative composition that reflects the creativity of ancient artisans.
Even more fascinating is the Wild-Goose-and-Fish Bronze Lamp from the Western Han Dynasty. Shaped like a wild goose twisting its neck to hold a fish in its beak, the lamp contains an ingenious smoke-filtering structure inside, making it an astonishing example of environmental awareness and engineering wisdom from over two thousand years ago.
Art, Architecture, and Cultural Elegance
In the Northern Dynasties exhibition hall, I spent considerable time admiring the Painted Lacquer Screen with Stories of Historical Figures from Sima Jinlong’s Tomb (Northern Wei Dynasty).
Against a vivid vermilion (朱红色 zhūhóngsè) background, the screen illustrates stories of exemplary historical figures such as Emperor Shun, Lady Tai Ren of Zhou, and Ban Jieyu. Its remarkably preserved colours, elegant flowing lines, and refined Northern Wei calligraphy together showcase both artistic sophistication and the moral values promoted in ancient Chinese society.
Further inside, the Yuan Dynasty Glazed Chi-wen (dragon-head roof ornament) impressed me with its striking presence. Covered in brilliant emerald-green glaze, the sculpture features layered scales and a dynamic dragon head, vividly reflecting the craftsmanship of ancient architectural decoration and evoking the grandeur of historical Chinese buildings.
The Bird-shaped Zun of the Marquis of Jin, a highlight of the “Hegemony of the State of Jin” gallery, also left a deep impression. Decorated with phoenix motifs, it seems to retell the legends and political power of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Elsewhere, stone Buddha statues in the Buddhist gallery display graceful robes and serene expressions, while ancient architectural models demonstrate why Shanxi is often celebrated as a treasure house of traditional Chinese architecture.
Reflections at Sunset
As the sun gradually set, I slowly walked out of the museum, still immersed in the echoes of history.
In just one day, I had journeyed from majestic bronze ritual vessels and lacquer paintings to eco-friendly lamps and magnificent glazed mythical ornaments. Each artifact felt like a messenger from another era.
Standing silently behind glass, these relics weave together Shanxi’s thousand-year cultural heritage and allow visitors to experience the brilliance, wisdom, and profound depth of Chinese civilization.
This visit left me not only with admiration for ancient craftsmanship, but also with a renewed sense of awe toward the richness of China’s history.
Happy International Museum Day!
Editor: Liang WANG
Have you been to a museum and want to share your cultural experience or perspective? We look forward to hearing your stories. You are welcome to contact us by emailing at liang.wang[at]qub.ac.uk or write your comments and contact information in the box below. We will get in touch with you as soon as we can.
To celebrate, we are delighted to invite Ningning Liu, a PhD candidate from the School of Law, to share her unique and inspiring experience of dancing at a law conference, where the worlds of legal scholarship and movement came together in an unforgettable way.
Photo by Ningning
My Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience Dancing in a Moot Court
As a lawyer back in Shanghai, China, I kept my two identities – lawyer and dancer – strictly separate. I rarely let my colleagues or clients know that I danced hip-hop. I worried it would make me look unserious, or suggest that my work wasn’t keeping me busy enough. It was hard to imagine a lawyer spending their evenings in a dance studio while handling active cases.
For the longest time, I believed that law and dance had nothing to do with each other. In fact, they felt like opposites. Law is rational and disciplined, while hip-hop dance is physical and rebellious. That contrast was exactly why I loved it.
Then I came to the UK, and everything began to change.
A Session I Couldn’t Walk Away From
Not only are my supervisors incredibly supportive of my dancing, but my colleagues at the School of Law have also been genuinely excited to learn about this side of me. Some even cheered when I joined Queen’s street dance team.
Ningning dancing with her Queen’s Dance Club members. Photo by Queen’s Dance Club.
But the real turning point came when I attended the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Annual Conference this year. As one of the key conferences in my field, I had originally planned to submit an abstract related to my doctoral research. Then I saw a session theme that stopped me in my tracks: Dance/Law.
The question it asked was simple but inspiring: What can law do for dance, and what can dance do for law?
These two things I had always kept in separate boxes were suddenly brought together. It felt absurd, yet my heart started racing. This was it – two of my deepest passions, finally meeting. I wrote and submitted my abstract right away. It was accepted just as quickly.
From Belfast to Brighton
That is how I found myself in Brighton – a seaside town on the south coast of England, at the University of Sussex – about to experience something I will never forget.
At the Dance/Law session, scholars and dancers from around the world shared widely different perspectives. Some explored dance as a metaphor for legal tensions – the push and pull of a duet mirroring legal negotiation. Others examined the unwritten rules within dance as a form of soft law, or the question of consent and bodily boundaries in social dancing.
I learned a story from southern Nigeria. In one tribal community, before formal legal language existed, how did people resolve disputes? By dancing.
Then the speaker paused and said, quietly: “Let me show you.”
What followed was not a performance. It was a conversation, a short Afro dance sequence unlike anything we would learn in a dance studio. The speaker interacted with a friend sitting in the audience, responding to her through movement. When it finished, she calmly explained that the sequence expressed criticism of a legal procedure. In fact, across many African societies, dance has historically functioned as a form of testimony, protest, and even judicial argument. It was a living archive of community justice before colonial legal systems were imposed.
We sat in stunned silence.
Dance, I realised, existed before every social institution, rule, or legal system we now take for granted. It is an older language of expression, communication, and meaning. We had simply forgotten.
Another story came from Scotland. The old Scottish Parliament building was a place where trials were held. During breaks, lawyers were not allowed to leave the building. Instead, they circled the parliament hall, negotiating while walking in step with one another, their matching pace making it difficult for others to overhear. This process resembled a social duet, requiring trust, coordination, and mutual responsiveness. The structure was unmistakably dance-like.
I also had the chance to present my own research, Law on the Dancefloor: Body, Gender, and the Boundaries of Freedom in China’s Hip-Hop Culture. Drawing on my experience as both a legal researcher and a hip-hop dancer, I explored how China’s dance scene is divided between feminised commercial studios and masculinised battle competitions, and how law and social norms silently choreograph who may move freely and how.
The battle floor, I argued, is like a courtroom: music acts as law, dancers as advocates, and judges as a jury. Dancers are told to break rules, yet victory depends on a convincing interpretation within that framework. To my surprise and gratitude, the presentation received warm attention and thoughtful feedback from fellow scholars, many of whom shared their own encounters with dance and the law.
The fascinating studies presented at the Dance/Law session, along with my own small contribution, demonstrate that law and movement have never been as separate as I once believed.
Moot Court Room, University of Sussex (Photo by Ningning Liu)
The Morning We Danced in a Moot Court
The next morning, we experienced something that may well be once in a lifetime.
At 9 a.m., in a law school moot court room, we danced.
A group of legal academics from across the world gathered – not to share their research, but to share their dance moves.
At the beginning, one scholar guided us to reconnect with our bodies. We touched our fingertips to our arms, felt our skin, and reached out to tables and chairs, simply noticing our physical presence in the world.
Then one of the organisers taught us basic ballet. I felt like a calm, proud, and elegant swan gliding across a lake. She ended the session by inviting us to freestyle using what we had learned.
Finally, my partner Joseph, a professional hip-hop dancer who had come with me to Brighton, taught a short routine he had choreographed the day before. The music started – the unmistakable beat of Still D.R.E.
The atmosphere changed instantly. Everyone moved joyfully. It did not matter what we wore or how we looked. When the organisers asked for reactions, we laughed: “Too short! Again!”
Everyone was simply happy.
As we left, the researchers (or should I call them dancers now?) stopped us to express their gratitude. “You both gave me so much energy. I am so happy today.”
But they were the ones who had given us energy, and a revelation.
Later, the organisers sent a follow-up email. At the end, they wrote:
There will be a book launch at Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday 22nd April. While it is an in-person event, there is an option to tune in via MS Teams. All welcome!
Book Title: Heritage Literacy in the Lives of Chinese Muslims: A Linguistic Ethnographic Study Authors: Dr Ibrar Bhatt and Heng WANG (Queen’s University Belfast) Discussant: Zhen (Jennie) LI (Education University of Hong Kong) Organiser: Dr Aisling O’Boyle (Queen’s University Belfast)
Co-Organisers:
The Centre for Language Education Research, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
Longtaitou (龙抬头 Lóng tái tóu) Festival, also known as the Dragon-Head-Raising Festival, falls on the second day of the second lunar month each year and marks the traditional beginning of the spring farming season. This year, it falls on Friday 20 March.
Inspired by the symbolic “raising of the dragon’s head”, we are delighted to see a growing interest in Chinese language-related programmes and events. We warmly welcome more participants to join a variety of upcoming activities, as listed below.
Chinese Bridge Competition / Business Chinese Competition – Candidates
The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition is a large-scale international contest organised by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation. Over the years, 24 UK national finals have been held, with outstanding winners invited to represent the UK at the global finals in China. Participants at this stage have the opportunity to compete for scholarships to further their Chinese-related studies at universities in China.
The Chinese Competition of Business Innovations & Charitable Projects for UK University Students (aka Business Chinese Competition), as a sister event to the Chinese Bridge Competition for UK University Students, is a well-known brand in Business Chinese education across the UK. It aims to promote the improvement and development of Business Chinese teaching in the UK universities, stimulate students’ potential for business innovation, and encourage awareness, participation, and responsibility in charitable projects initiatives. The competition also enables students studying Business Chinese to apply their knowledge in practice and achieve meaningful outcomes, nurturing talents who can contribute to China–UK trade exchange and cooperation.
The 2026 UK national finals will take place on Saturday 6 Friday 5 June in London, organised by the UK Organising Committee. Preliminary rounds will be held by each participating university in advance, with a deadline of Friday 24 April for completion.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
Be a university student, aged 18-30
Be of non-Chinese nationality
Have been born and raised outside China
Have a first language other than Chinese
Not have taken part in the semi-final or final competition in China in previous years
To know more details and to express your interest, please contact Liang.Wang[at]qub.ac.uk directly, with a brief self-introduction of your education background, including studying of Mandarin Chinese, by Thursday 2nd April.
Chinese School – Teachers/Teaching Assistants
The Chinese Language School Northern Ireland is currently seeking volunteers to support teaching and classroom activities during term time throughout the academic year. Volunteers are expected to commit to the school’s timetable during term time; however, some flexibility can be accommodated with advance notice.
Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Suitable candidates are preferably those with a strong background in Chinese language proficiency, along with relevant teaching experience or pedagogical knowledge.
To express your interest, please contact Chinese Language School NI via their WeChat account (ID: beiaizhongwenxuexiao) or email (Chinese.school.ni[at]gmail.com).
Success Chinese Lion Dance Society – Club Members
Success Chinese Lion Dance Society is currently seeking to recruit new members, particularly college and university students, to form the core team for campus-based performances.
Students from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds are warmly welcome. Members from QUB will have the opportunity to establish a student-led society registered with the Queen’s Students’ Union, organise regular training sessions, and participate in community activities under the guidance of the Society’s master.
To express your interest, please contact sliondance[at]yahoo.co.uk
Chinese Culture Programme – Contributors
The Language Centre is looking for talented students and staff members to contribute to our Chinese Culture Programme at Queen’s. The engagement could be in the form of a variety of cultural performances, workshops or language/culture-related public talks and panels. The call is open to both Chinese-speaking and non-Chinese speaking volunteers.
We look forward to working with you in our future events.
Finally, the third Semester Language Course registration is open and closes promptly at 17:00 on Thursday 16 April 2026. Classes are expected to be extremely popular and fill up quickly, so early registration is strongly recommended.
To register with a Mandarin Chinese course, please follow the course information page for more information with links to registrations.
