中文版

On 12^th October, 2019 SORSA People-to-people Diplomacy Project "Magnificent Culture" – Traditional Chinese Culture Sharing Salon was held at Shanghai Tower, hosted by SORSA, organized by Mcloud, SORSA UoM Alumni Association, co-hosted by SORSA UK Chapter and UoM China Centre, with great support from Baoku Art Center and SORSA Japan Chapter.

More than 80 guests from 20+ countries attended the events including UoM alumni, foreign friends studying, working and living in China, distinguished representation from SORSA who all enjoyed authentic touch and feel of traditional Chinese culture as well as immersed themselves in a rich half-day culture exchanges through culture-themed keynote speech, panel discussion and guided tour to Baoku art center and the world's largest enamel floor.

Ms. Sherry Fu, University of Manchester China Centre Director, standing committee member of SORSA, vice president and secretary general of SORSA UoM Alumni Association, founder of "Magnificent Culture", delivered an opening speech welcoming all the distinguished guests, alumni and friends presented:

It is an honor for us to host such cultural and educational programme with a world vision in sight and great responsibilities in mind to facilitate international conversations between China and the world.

Celebrating 11 years of excellence in China, the University of Manchester China Centre, with the University motto “Cognitio, Sapientia, Humanitas” embedded in heart, nurtures and promotes conversations among students from all around the world and strives to bring together Chinese and international elites in building bilateral people-to-people diplomatic platform.

During keynote speech, Professor Youyu Li, founder of Hanguang Porcelain introduced ceramic culture in China and beyond using examples of famous ancient China pieces such as Ruyao Azure Glaze, Guanyao Ivory Glaze Three Feet Furnace as well as his own masterpieces, many of which were recognized as presidential gifts to international leaders. From the long history of Chinese porcelain to vivid illustration of its mainstream, essence and official political system during various dynasties that affect and shape the ceramic world, Professor Youyu Li's life-long and unfaltering devotion to making and promoting porcelain much touched and inspired audience.

Panel Discussion

During panel discussion hosted by Ms. Sherry Fu, opportunities and challenges of cross-cultural communication were explored in the fields of music, museum space, art gallery and medicine.

Left up：Professor Xiaodong Cheng, Right up: Mr. Timo Lei, Left bottom: Professor Baifeng Ye, Right bottom: Ms. Haobing Zhu

Ms. Haobing Zhu, a famous Chinese Pianist, shared with audience how she plays Chinese music using western instrument and produces the universal language of music in harmony. Professor Baifeng Ye, Baoku Jiangxin Art Center curator, talked about the exhibition audience just appreciated across the hall where Chinese traditional arts and western design principle are combined together in an organic approach which leads to further and wider communication and publicity out to the world. Mr. Timo Lei, vice president of SORSA, president of SORSA UoM Alumni Association, and partner at KWM, uses example of KWM Art Center as example to illustrate the interesting and exciting case when law, economics meet art. Professor Xiaodong Cheng, Director of Institute of Clinical Immunology at Yue-yang Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, uses his years of experience in immunology to explain how elements such as Chinese medicine, immune system, mood adjustment can work efficiently together to fight against cancer.

Culture & Art

At the event, Professor Youyu Li, Professor Baifeng Ye, Professor Xiaodong Cheng, and Ms. Haobing Zhu were awarded as the honorary advisor of arts to UoM China Centre and Mcloud.

As one Malaysian UoM alumnus commented "'Magnificent Culture' sharing programme aiming at promoting Chinese culture and cross-cultural conversations truly offers foreign friends like me wonderful opportunities to embrace the richness of China's magnificent culture."