Category Archives: history

China Research Forum NI inaugurated

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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:

China Research Forum NI Programme Released

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.

China Research Forum NI Programme Released

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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.

Speaker 7: Dr Tianpeng YAO

Information Session: Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival (https://blogs.qub.ac.uk/eutopiafilmfest/)

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.

Speaker 8: Xiaoxiang MA

Information Session: Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture

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.

Exploring Millennia of History at Shanxi Museum

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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.

Sino-Western Encounters in Archival Material

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Symposium co-hosted by Queen’s University Belfast and Zhejiang University

Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Time: 2:00-6:00 pm
Venue: The Auditorium, QUB McClay Library

Programme (English)

Programme (Chinese)

All staff and students are warmly welcome!

QUB CNY2026 Successfully Launched

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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!

For more upcoming events, please visit Chinese Culture Programme 2026 Homepage.

Celebrating CNY at Queen’s and in Belfast

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Celebration CNY at Queen’s

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.

CCP2026 Homepage
Volunteering to Support CCP2026 Programme

Celebrating CNY in Belfast

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 22/02 by 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.

Saturday 28/02 by ABCP NI

值此佳节来临之际，全英华人教授协会北爱尔兰地区诚挚邀请您参加2026年春节庆祝活动，共庆团圆，同贺新岁！本次活动旨在促进学术交流、增进友谊，并为在北爱工作学习的华人学者及家庭提供一个温馨团聚的平台。我们期待与您共度一个充满知识与欢笑的下午，并在晚宴中共叙情谊、喜迎新春。如您计划出席，请于 2026年2月14日（星期六） 前报名。参与对象： 北爱尔兰地区大学老师、学者、博士生、访问学者及家属。

Happy Year of the Horse! 马年快乐！

November Events

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Despite a busy – and perhaps slightly tedious – November filled with deadlines and submissions, the Chinese community at Queen’s, including both scholars and students, continues to bring campus life to full vigor and vitality.

This month, two academic seminars are scheduled, and we warmly invite you to attend and take part in these stimulating academic dialogues.

Seminar 1

Ni Yang, PhD student from School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, will present ‘1976-1995: The Intersection of Urbanisation and Artistic Liberation in China: Beijing East Village’ at the History Seminar.

  • Date: Thursday 14/11
  • Time: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Venue: 27 UQ / 01 / 003
  • Registration: via Eventbrite

This seminar examines Beijing East Village (1992–1995) as a unique outcome of China’s post-Mao transformation, set against the backdrop of urban restructuring, market reforms, and shifting cultural policies. Following the end of the Cultural Revolution and the ideological thaw of the 1980s, Beijing underwent rapid urbanisation, the demolition of traditional neighbourhoods, expansion of infrastructure, and emergence of informal ‘urban villages’ on the city’s periphery. In these liminal zones, beyond full state control, artists forged new spaces for experimentation. East Village became a focal point where figures such as Rong Rong, Lü Nan, Zhang Huan, and Ma Liuming developed radical performance and photographic works that challenged social norms and redefined artistic freedom. Through case studies including 12 Square Metres, Fen-Ma Liuming’s Lunch, and To Add One Metre to an Anonymous Mountain, this seminar explores how photography mediated between transient performances and enduring cultural memory, amplifying their impact across domestic and international contexts. Situating East Village within the broader currents of economic reform, spatial politics, and cultural negotiation, it reconsiders the role of art in documenting, critiquing, and shaping a rapidly transforming society.

Ni Yang is a PhD student specialising in the intersection of history and photography, examining how images both document and shape historical change. His doctoral research investigates the cultural, political, and urban transformations of post-Mao China, analysing how photography operates as a medium for recording social realities, constructing public memory, and negotiating cultural identity. By situating photographic practice within the broader historical currents of reform, urbanisation, and shifting cultural policy, his work reveals the complex interplay between visual culture and the lived experience of historical transition.

Refreshments, drinks, and snacks will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Seminar 2

Dr Zi Yang, on behalf of the Private and Commercial Research Cluster, warmly invites you to join the research seminar with Professor Xiahong Chen, a visiting scholar from China University of Political Science and Law, on Tuesday 18th November in Board Room 2 (MST / 08 /014), School of Law.

  • Date: Tuesday 18/11
  • Time: 9:30 – 11:45 am
  • Venue: MST / 08 / 014
  • Registration: via Forms

Professor Xiahong Chen is Research Fellow at the Bankruptcy Law & Restructuring Research Centre of the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and Senior Editor and Director of the Journal of CUPL (core comprehensive academic journal in China). He is an internationally recognised scholar of bankruptcy and insolvency law, with over 18 books and numerous impactful articles in leading journals, including Annotations to the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law (Peking University Press 2021) and Notes on Bankruptcy Law (Law Press 2021). His research has been translated internationally, and he is a member of INSOL Europe, INSOL International, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. The talk with focus on China’s recent Insolvency Law reform.

Refreshments, drinks, and snacks will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Participants wanted

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Calling international students and Chinese students at Queen’s

Below are two pieces of ‘Wanted’ messages looking for participants. If you think you are the right person to get involved and make a contribution, feel free to contact them to express your interest.

1 Participants for AI and Second Language Acquisition Research

My name is Zhuofei, and you can call me Sophie.

I’m a PhD student in psychology at Queen’s. My first study focuses on the impact of AI on Second Language Acquisition. I’m currently looking for international students who are Non-English Speaker from any countries.

As an international student, have you ever used AI in your language use?

My answer is: I have — and quite a lot, to be honest!

As non-native English speakers, it’s perfectly normal for us to experience a bit of language anxiety when using English in UK classrooms. Imagine that moment when you want to speak up, but your brain decides to play hide-and-seek with vocabulary. Yep, been there.

Now here are the big questions:

  • Does using AI to help with language actually reduce that anxiety?
  • Does it make you more motivated to learn? Or more confident to speak up in class? Or… does it sometimes make things worse?

That’s what I’d love to find out — with your help! Let’s explore together how AI is really shaping our language learning journeys as international students. Who knows — you might discover you’re not the only one secretly best friends with ChatGPT!

If you are interested in taking part, please scan the QR code in the poster😊

There will also be a Focus Group on the same topic later. if you wish to participate, please send me an email. Thank you very much and looking forward to having a chat with you in what promises to be a very interesting discussion 👍

2 《中国之桥》项目

贝尔法斯特女王大学、 北爱国家博物馆（NMNI）和我们华人福利会合作共同运营的「中国之桥」 项目已经开启。

项目背景：北爱尔兰国家博物馆（NMNI）现藏有70件中国文物，但相关历史资料匮乏，且公众接触机会有限。本合作项目由女王大学研究人员（历史学、博物馆人类学）、NMNI及华人福利协会共同发起，旨在重塑公众对这些文物的认知。在项目团队支持下，当地华人社群将参与研究、分享专业见解，并通过创意形式回应这些文物，最终生成新的文献记录和社区反馈，汇集成一份公开发表的数字成果。项目还将促进社区合作，进一步探索北爱尔兰与中国之间的历史联系。

这个项目非常有意义，请有意参加这个项目的朋友填写以下意向书。

谢谢大家的支持。

意向表

Two Chinese culture talks in April

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With the arrival of spring, Chinese scholars are showcasing their vibrant academic contributions. This April, Queen’s University is excited to present two engaging talks on Chinese culture.

Talk 1

For this Friday’s History Seminar, PhD student Ziheng Wang from School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics presents his research work titled ‘The Apple of My Eye: The Chinese Depiction towards Russia since the 1990s’.

  • Date: 04/04/2025
  • Time: 4 -5:30 pm
  • Venue: 27 UQ/01/003
  • Registration: via Eventbrite

All welcome, refreshments provided!

Talk 2

In the following Friday, Chinese tutor Heng Wang from QUB Language Centre will present an introduction on how Islam has developed in China since 7th century, and how it has intertwined with local culture and religions.

For more information and registration, read the post below:

CCF-Wang

Wish you all a happy and productive April!

Chinese Graduate’s Talk at HAPP Seminar Series

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Happy HAPP Spring Dialogues 2025!

The School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics has announced its Spring Dialogues to welcome a cohort of their students and alumni to share their research work at the Seminar Series, with Liang HE, a Chinese graduate in Philosophy, being the first one on its programme.

Liang has kindly shared her presentation information and abstract with our Chinese Culture Forum as below. She also would like to extend her invitation to all those who are interested in the topic.

Speaker: Liang HE, MSc International Public Policy

  • Date: Monday 10th March 2025
  • Time: 3:00-4:30 pm
  • Channel: Online via Teams
  • Registration: MS Forms (needs QUB login)

Abstract

Confucian Gender Norms, Patriarchy, and Capitalism: The ‘Privileged’ Middle-Class Chinese Daughter Under the One-Child Policy?

The one-child policy, enacted in China from the 1970s to 2015, has profoundly shaped the
experiences of urban women, particularly the daughters of the emerging middle class. Rooted in Confucian gender norms and reinforced by a patriarchal system, this policy has contributed to societal expectations that prioritize male offspring while simultaneously offering urban women increased access to resources and opportunities. As a result, these “privileged daughters” are often viewed as beneficiaries of urbanization and economic growth.

This paper employs Marxist feminist theory to explore the lives of Chinese middle-class daughters studying in the West. It examines the conflicting pressures they face between traditional gender roles – emphasizing marriage, motherhood, and filial piety – and the aspirations encouraged by a neoliberal environment. These women navigate a complex landscape where they must reconcile their pursuit of autonomy with societal expectations to provide for their families and uphold cultural traditions. By highlighting the experiences of these urban daughters, this research sheds light on how Confucian gender norms and capitalism intersect, revealing the challenges they encounter in balancing personal desires with familial obligations. Ultimately, this paper enhances our understanding of how the intersection of gender norms and capitalist structures shapes the experiences of urban middle-class daughters in contemporary China, revealing the complexities of their identities and the societal expectations they must navigate.