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.
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.
On Tuesday 10 February, Queen’s University Belfast took part in the 8th Schools and Universities Day – Chinese (and related) Learning Pathways, hosted by the UCL IOE Centre for Chinese Language Education. Bringing together 15 universities and over 400 school students and teachers from across England, the event was a vibrant space for sharing ideas, building connections, and inspiring the next generation of Chinese language learners.
Isabella, Liang and Thea (left to right)
Dr Liang Wang (Queen’s Language Centre) was invited to a round-table discussion on developing “China-literate” talent, exploring how schools and universities can work together to strengthen progression pathways. He showcased Queen’s innovative approach to intercultural learning through communities of practice, including initiatives such as the Chinese Culture Forum and Tandem Language Exchange Programme.
Alumna Isabella Souza McLaughlin (Global Student Recruitment) shared her journey of studying Mandarin Chinese as part of her International Business degree. Speaking on a university student and alumni panel, she emphasised the value of adaptability and openness in intercultural contexts, while reflecting on the challenges of completing her work placement during the pandemic. She also spoke about the rewarding experience of working with Chinese colleagues in both the UK and China in her role at Queen’s today.
Supported by student ambassador Thea Godfrey, the team also hosted an information stand throughout the day, engaging with prospective students and teachers. From course details and scholarships to life in Belfast, Queen’s showcased the many opportunities available to students interested in combining Chinese with their degree and career ambitions.
The outreach and engagement provided an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Queen’s and connect with the next generation of globally minded students in the UK.
About Schools and Universities Day (Click to expand)
This free event offers a unique opportunity for school teachers and secondary-school learners of Mandarin to meet departments from universities across the UK. Through these dialogues, learners can explore the range of opportunities and pathways for continuing Mandarin at university.
Since its inception, feedback on the day has been overwhelmingly positive. It creates space for informed discussions between students and university representatives and facilitates connections between teachers and universities.
What could be better than a splendid day of sunshine on Friday 13 February, following such a long period of gloomy, rainy weather? On the day, over 60 Queen’s students, staff members, as well as civic partners and guests, joined the Chinese New Year celebration programme at One Elmwood, Queen’s – the hub for intercultural encounters and exchanges.
Chaired by Dr Liang Wang, the launch began with a captivating performance of traditional guzheng music by PhD candidate Fei Li from Queen’s Business School. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Topping delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the University, highlighting Queen’s achievements in global engagement over the past year, particularly with Asian countries such as China and India. Dr Bee-Yen Toh, Co-Chair of the iRise Staff Network, and Thomas Smith, Language Centre Manager, also extended their welcomes to staff, students, and civic partners, emphasising the importance of intercultural understanding through language learning, dialogue and shared activities. Mórrigan McEvoy, Student Officer for Accessible Education, offered her greetings and encouraged students to actively participate in university events and contribute to building a multicultural campus.
Following the launch, attendees were invited to the ground floor, where the traditional Dragon and Lion dance began in the foyer and continued outside the One Elmwood building. The celebration concluded with a group photo featuring all participants, symbolising the farewell to the Year of the Snake and the welcoming of the Year of the Horse.
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Another highlight of the celebration was the appearance of the God of Fortune, who generously distributed lucky “money” – chocolate coins and replica ancient Chinese coins – to those wishing to embrace good fortune in the year ahead.
Additional performances included a vibrant K-pop dance, a graceful Tai Chi demonstration, and a Chinese Jianzhan tea cup display in the foyer. Meanwhile, cultural workshops such as calligraphy, paper crafts, tea and incense ceremonies, and guzheng appreciation sessions were held in the Cube, engaging and entertaining participants throughout the afternoon.
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Blessed by the sunshine and strong support from One Elmwood Student Engagement Team, the event was a great success, with strong attendance and positive social impact. Queen’s is proud of its role as a civic university, promoting diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging, supported by its vigorous academic and educational innovation.
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In keeping with Chinese New Year traditions, the celebrations will continue over the next two weeks, featuring six culture talks, a table tennis event, and a QUB-supported collaborative “Bridges to China” launch. All are warmly welcome!
With the Year of the Horse fast approaching, Queen’s University Belfast has released its celebration programme, alongside a few civic Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations. In this post, we would like to highlight the events and activities that may generate shared interest.
Queen’s colleagues are warmly invited to take part in a range of cultural activities celebrating the Year of the Horse. The celebrations will highlight a Launch Event on Friday 13 February, 12:00–1:00 pm, at One Elmwood Cube, followed by a Dragon Parade and Cultural Fair in the One Elmwood Foyer and Cube areas throughout the afternoon.
Online Exhibitions
We are grateful to have collected paintings from ArtEast Club members in the 6th consecutive year and the photos of China with intercultrual reflections from three Queen’s photographers.
The coming weeks’ highlights are:
Student-led activities (Friday 06/02)
CNY Arts and Crafts Workshop & Drawing Competition 1:00–4:00 pm, The Cube, One Elmwood
Chinese Singing Competition 7:30 pm, Harty Room, Music Building
Culture Talks(Monday 16/02 – Thursday 26/02)
Beginning from Monday 16th, there will be a cluster of culture talks contributed by Queen’s academics, research students and guest speakers from a wide range of subject areas and professional backgrounds, as below:
Fun Time with Table Tennis (Saturday 28/02)
Sponsored by QUB iRise Staff Network and One Elmwood Student Engagement Team, we would like to invite all staff members and students, and their families as well, to join this fun and friendly event to engage with this popular sport among the Chinese communities, as well as providing an opportunity for enhancing student and staff wellbeing through sport. Both beginners and more advanced players are welcome to sign up for the fun event, with an appreciation of its unique culture, as well as developing some practical skills in body movements and mediation.
Launch of Bridges to China Project (Sunday 01/03)
Finally, it is worth recommending this launch of Bridges to China Project, which is a collaboration between Queen’s researchers and their civic partners including Chinese Welfare Association, National Museum NI and AvliaMedia on creating a repertoire to enhance public understanding of Chinese heritage and culture in Northern Ireland. It also aims to foster community partnerships leading to further collaboration and community engagement around the longstanding links between Northern Ireland and China.
For more information and registration, please visit the full programme below. You are all very welcome to join us and enjoy the cultural celebrations of the Year of the Horse. If you would like to help with us in any of the events and activities, you may consider filling in the volunterring form below.
If you would like to know more about CNY celebration events outside Queen’s, we hope you find the following information useful.
Monday 16/02 by CCC NI and CWA NI
The annual Spring Festival Gala, jointly organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, N.I. and Chinese Welfare Association N.I., returns this year to the Europa Hotel. Save your date on Monday 16th February at 6pm.
Friday 20/02 by East Side Arts(with Artsekta and Belfast Film Festival)
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Templemore Baths Heritage Centre with a creative workshop and light hearted action packed film.
Sunday 22/02by Success Dragon and Lion Dance Association
The Chinese New Year Celebration returns to the Ulster Hall Belfast on Sunday 22nd February 2026 celebrating the Year of Horse. Come to enjoy a day is full of fun and joy, rich in Colours and Culture. With over 12 global dances and music not to be missed.
The UN celebrates Chinese Language Day annually on 20th April each year. This year, it falls on to a Sunday.
The date for the Chinese day was selected from Guyu (“Rain of Millet”), which is the 6th of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars, to pay tribute to Cangjie. Cangjie is a very important figure in ancient China, claimed to be an official historian of the Yellow Emperor and the inventor of Chinese characters. Legend has it that he had four eyes and four pupils, and that when he invented the characters, the deities and ghosts cried and the sky rained millet. From then on, Chinese people celebrate the day Guyu in honour of Cangjie. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around April 20.
To mark this special occasion, we warmly invite everyone with a passion for promoting the Chinese language and culture worldwide—whether in academic or professional settings, as teachers or learners—to join us for the UN Chinese Language Day Forum 2025.
Our two invited speakers will share their insights and reflections drawn from years of experience in intercultural workplaces, offering valuable perspectives on both academic and professional practices in a global context.
Speakers:
Xian ZHAO (赵忺) is a doctoral candidate and Professional Teaching Fellow in the School of Cultures, Languages, and Linguistics at the Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland. With a strong passion for Chinese language education, she brings extensive teaching experience across diverse cultural and academic settings, including China, the United States, Thailand, and New Zealand.
In 2019, she served as a Chinese language lecturer in the Department of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. Prior to that, she taught at Confucius Institutes in both Thailand and the U.S., where she was actively involved in language instruction and cross-cultural exchange. Her professional contributions extend beyond the classroom—she has served as an examiner for the selection of Confucius Institute volunteer teachers and for the CTCSOL certificate (Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages).
Additionally, she has acted as a judge for the Chinese Bridge competition. Currently, her research interests lie at the intersection of individual learner differences, artificial intelligence, and language teaching. She is particularly interested in how emerging technologies can enhance the learning experience and outcomes for second language (L2) learners. Xian has published her work in several top-tier academic journals such as Studies in Second Language Acquisition, System, and Language Teaching Research, among others. She also serves as a peer reviewer for more than 20 academic journals.
Ye CHEN (陈烨) is Founder of Dongyan Future Education Studio. She was a former dispatched Mandarin teacher at the Confucius Institute of Peking University and UCL. In 2023 she was named the Global Digital Gold Medal Lecturer by the Chinese Language Alliance, and in 2024 she received the Chinese Language Alliance Gold Medal for Digital Resource Application Case Study (PBL Teaching Method).
Ye has taught at UCL Academy and Seoul International School and served as a member of the question-setting committee for Korea’s Chinese College Entrance Exam mock tests (2021). She took a Chief Research Editor role in the development of an innovative vocabulary software project under Center for Language Education and Cooperation’s (CLEC, China) resource development initiative. Ye has been invited multiple times to conduct training for overseas volunteer Mandarin teachers of CLEC, as well as Chinese teacher associations in Canada, the UK, and South Korea, training over 3,000 teachers in total. Her research has been presented at international conferences, including the European Association of Chinese Teachers’ Symposium, and she has been invited to deliver lectures on AI-empowered education at the Confucius Institutes of the London School of Economics and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Registration
Date: Sunday 20th April 2025 Time: UK 09:00-10:30 | CN 16:00-17:30 | NZ 20:00-21:30 Access: QUB MS Teams (link will be given after registration) Languages: Chinese, with English
