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.
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!
Monday 16th February 2026 13:00-14:00 Auditorium, The McClay Library
Speaker: Professor Mark ThorntonBurnett is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, UK. He is the author of Masters and Servants in English Renaissance Drama and Culture: Authority and Obedience (Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1997), Constructing ‘Monsters’ in Shakespearean Drama and Early Modern Culture (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2002), Filming Shakespeare in the Global Marketplace (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2007; 2nd ed. 2012), Shakespeare and World Cinema (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013) and ‘Hamlet’ and World Cinema (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019). He is series editor of the Arden Shakespeare series, ‘Shakespeare and Adaptation’.
Full profile Abstract: In this talk, I explore the deep connection between the uses of Shakespeare in cinema and China’s evolving cultural, economic and social significances. Shakespeare figures variously in Chinese cinema – as echo and adaptation, as allusion and full-blown transposition, as semi-quotation and vernacular rewrite, as prompt for comic business, and as an exercise in nostalgia. Introducing a broad sweep of historical examples, and centring on two recent Hamlet adaptations – The Banquet (dir. Feng Xiaogang, 2006) and Prince of the Himalayas (dir. Sherwood Hu, 2006) – I argue that Shakespeare and China share a fruitful and exciting relationship, one allied to the past, rooted in the present, and enlivened by continuing intercultural exchange.
Melodies of the Chinese Zither and the Perfume of Books 琴韵书香迎端午 Friday 30th May 2025 13:00 – 15:00 Auditorium, The McClay Library
Speaker/Performer:
Wei DENG (邓维), QUB alumna from School of Arts, English and Languages
Chen GAO (高宸), visiting PhD candidate at School of Arts, English and Languages, from Minzu University of China
Outline:
This special forum consists of two sections.
In the first half, Wei will introduce her proposed project with Ludo Dao CIC which is committed to exploring the development of an intercultural approach to musical performance, focusing on the dialogue between the Chinese traditional guzheng and Northern Irish musical instruments. She will also perform selected guzheng pieces live and warmly invites local musicians — from Queen’s and beyond — to join in this intercultural exchange through music.
In the second half, Chenwill present an introduction to the Siku Quanshu (《四库全书》), the monumental imperial collection that has recently been shelved in Queen’s McClay Library. Focusing on its compilation process and the discernment of scholarly traditions, Chen will explore both the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Complete Library of the Four Repertoires.
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’.
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:
As the Lantern Festival falls on Wednesday, 12th February, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to all colleagues and students who have supported our celebration programme in various ways.
To mark the conclusion of the Year of the Snake Celebration Programme, recognise the winners of the Drawing the Snake Competition, and express our gratitude to our volunteers and contributors, we warmly invite you to our “Lantern Festival” stands in the foyer area of One Elmwood on Wednesday, 12th February, from 12:30 to 13:30. Join us for a special gathering and award ceremony, where we will celebrate your contributions, share joyful moments, and reflect on the unforgettable highlights of this year’s festivities.
Fun Time with Table Tennis
As part of our celebration tradition, we host a Table Tennis Event around the Lantern Festival to promote networking and community building as a key highlight of the Lantern Festival celebration. Sponsored by the QUB iRISE Staff Network, this event warmly invites students, staff members, and their families to take part in a fun and friendly gathering. It offers a chance to engage with one of the most popular sports in Chinese communities while also fostering well-being through physical activity and social interaction.
Additionally, we invite you to explore the ArtEast Online Exhibition, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks by local Chinese artists. The artists would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions to further enhance their presentations.
Thank you for your enthusiastic participation! While our Chinese Culture Forum 2025 will continue to present events and activities in the future, we look forward to celebrating with you again next year as we welcome the Year of the Horse!
With the Snake succeeding the Dragon (Loong) on Wednesday 29th January, we are now embracing the Chinese New Year, or 春节 (Chūnjié, Spring Festival) in Chinese communities – 春节快乐！Happy Spring Festival!
Lanyon Building in Red
To mark the Chinese New Year 2025 celebrations on Wednesday, 29th January — the first day of the Year of the Snake — Queen’s Lanyon Building was officially illuminated in red.
The Success Lion Dance Club, led by Master Alan Lui, delivered a spectacular lion dance performance, a traditional way of celebrating the Spring Festival in Chinese communities. The lions danced together and interacted with the audience, spreading blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.
Students, staff members, and their families were invited to join group photographs at the end, posing alongside the lions.
Drawing the Snake Competition
Congratulations to the following winners! A full exhibition can be viewed from Drawing the Snake Competition page.
Children 1st – Maysee Wei
Children 2nd – Cassie Zuo
Children 3rd – Xiyue Wu
Adult 1st – Xingge Sun
Adult 2nd – Yating Hu
Adult 3rd – Fuheng Qu
ArtEast online exhibition
Thanks to four ArtEast Club members’ contribution to the online exhibition this year, there are over 30 pieces of artworks we can view from their gallery.
We would like to thank Luyaoand Sinong for their engaging and interesting talks and welcome the upcoming talks delivered by Tong, Siyang, Mi and Tianpeng. Save the dates in your diary and don’t miss out!
CNY entertainment
QUB international student societies are hosting their own events (Open House and CNY Dinner) for the celebration of the Chinese New Year. They welcome both members and non-members to join in their events.
Wishing all staff, students, alumni, and the wider community a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake!
Launch of the Chinese New Year celebrations (Wednesday 22 January) – open to all students and staff
With the arrival of the Year of the Snake on Wednesday 29 January, we would like to send our best wishes to all those who celebrate it and its variations (Lunar New Year in some Asian countries) and invite staff and students to join together on Wednesday 22 January for the main launch event, as below.
This is a collaborative event, organised by The Language Centre, One Elmwood Student Experience Team, Queen’s Students’ Union, CSSA, MSSNI, Ppi Belfast, and Queen’s iRISE Staff Network, supported by People and Culture Diversity and Inclusion team.
12:00 – 13:00 Welcome Reception (Auditorium, McClay Library) –please register for this here.
13:00 – 13:30 Dragon Dance and Parade – departing from McClay Library through Lanyon, finishing at One Elmwood Student Centre and Students’ Union)
13:30 – 16:00 Cultural Fair and Performances (One Elmwood Foyer – Ground Floor) –no registration required
Chinese Culture Forum
The celebration of the Year of the Snake also announces the start of our Chinese Culture Forum in 2025, with the following talks contributed by Queen’s staff and students, including visiting academics and students from a range of disciplines. Check the programme button and book the events that you are interested in.
We are open to proposals for a variety of events that you would wish to help with or contribute to developing our CCP2025 programme. Please do not hesitate to submit your proposals via the form below and we will get in touch with you in due course after your submission.
