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Welcome to the China Center!

The China Center works to build the bridge of understanding, friendship, exchange, and cooperation between the U.S. and Greater China. Through our offices in Minneapolis and Beijing, we provide advice and support to the University community, maintain important relationships, and foster cultural engagement.

Upcoming Events

Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise

12:00 PM | Thursday, February 9, 2023

Via Zoom

It was long assumed that as China embraced open markets and private enterprise, its state-controlled economy would fall by the wayside, that free markets would inevitably lead to a more liberal society. Instead, China’s growth over the past four decades has positioned state capitalism as a durable foil to the orthodoxy of free markets, to the confusion of many in the West.

News and Announcements

2022 Griffin Lecture Discusses China's Role in Global Debt Crisis

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Argentina, Belize, Ecuador, Lebanon, Suriname, Zambia, and Sri Lanka have all declared bankruptcy: defaulting on their sovereign bonds, and actively seeking debt restructuring. Others are sure to follow. What is China’s role in the rise of debt? How are Chinese creditors navigating what may become a systemic global debt crisis?

Dr. Deborah Brautigam, director of the China Africa Research Initiative, argues that solving the challenge of developing country debt requires the two largest economies to work together in the G20, the IMF, and the World Bank.

Growing Up With the Oldest and Most Complex Chinese Strategic Board Game

Two professional Go players introduced the game, touched on their own experiences growing up with Go in China and Canada, and discussed the role of Go both in the past and in modern society.
A Global Business’ Growth Journey During China's Rise: Strategic Considerations Amid U.S.-China Tensions

Sam Hsu, executive vice president of strategic planning at Ecolab, discussed the strategic considerations for building a bright future in business amid the intensifying tension between the U.S. and China.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon?: Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World

In this presentation, Yong Zhao offers an entertaining, provocative insider’s account of the Chinese school system, revealing the secrets that make it both "the best and worst" in the world.

Student Stories

Forming International Friendships in Hong Kong

Emma Lenz

During my experience abroad, I really enjoyed getting to know students from Hong Kong and around the world.

Historical Timeline

First Chinese Students

1914

The first three Chinese students enrolled at the University of Minnesota: Pan Wen Ping, Pan Wen Huen, and Kwong Yih Kum (Harding). They all played on the University soccer team and made significant contributions to the championship won during the 1914 season.

Chinese Students' Club Founded

1915

The Chinese Students’ Club at the University was founded. For more than four decades, the student organization created opportunities for students at the University to develop fellowship, especially among Chinese students.

First Chinese National Speaks on Campus

1916

Ng Poon Chew becomes the first known Chinese national to give a presentation on the University campus. Known as the “father of Chinese journalism on the West Coast,” Ng Poon Chew was an author, publisher, and advocated for Chinese American civil rights.

Ten Chinese students pose in suits on some steps

Agricultural Engineers Receive Training

1945

Ten students sponsored by the Chinese government arrived at the University of Minnesota. After receiving master's degrees in agricultural engineering and completing a one-year farm internship, the students became the first generation of agricultural engineering scientists in the People’s Republic of China.

Pencil laying on page with Chinese writing

Chinese Language and Literature Program Established

1949

University Professor Richard Mather established the Chinese language and literature program at the University of Minnesota.

University Professor in Second U.S. Delegation to China

1973

University Professor Robert J. Poor visited China and gave two lectures. This was the second U.S. delegation to China after U.S. President Nixon’s trip in 1972.

First Chinese Delegation Visits University

1974

An agricultural delegation led by University alumnus Wu Shaokui was the first Chinese delegation to visit the University, sponsored by the U.S. National Academy of Science’s Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People’s Republic of China.

First Delegation to China

1979

The University sent its first delegation to China, led by Regent Wenda Moore, where four agreements were signed with Chinese universities. The delegation was received by Chinese Vice Prime Minister Fang Yi at the Great Hall of the People.

The study abroad participants outside a building in China

First Study Abroad Program

1980

University students participated in the first study abroad program to China titled “Summer Intensive Chinese Language Institute” at Nankai University. The program had 37 total participants from the University and other U.S. universities.

University Student Band Tours China

1980

The University student band toured China as the first foreign band to the country after the Cultural Revolution.

First University Presidential Delegation to China

1981

University President C. Peter Magrath led the first University presidential delegation to China, discussing collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The delegation also met with more than 100 alumni in Beijing and other cities.

Alumni Chapter Formed in Beijing

1995

The first University of Minnesota Alumni Association chapter in China was formalized in Beijing.

China Executive MBA participants at graduation

China Executive MBA Program Begins

2001

With official approval by the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, the Carlson School of Management established its China Executive MBA (CHEMBA) program in Guangzhou, in collaboration with Sun Yat-Sen University Lingnan College.

Mingda program participants from Zhejiang Province

Mingda Institute for Leadership Program Established

2001

The University’s China Center established the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training. The first trainees arrived from the Administrative Department of Zhejiang Province.

Bilateral Research Forum Held in Beijing

2005

The first bilateral research forum between the University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences was held in Beijing. The forum allowed faculty and scientists to share ideas for scientific exchange, identify common interests for future collaborations and research, and strengthen ties between the two institutions.

University Office Opens in Beijing

2009

The University’s first international office was established in Beijing to promote alumni relations, support international admission, and facilitate partnership in China.

American Cultural Center Established

2013

The University of Minnesota Crookston partnered with Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic to establish the American Cultural Center for Culture Exchange in Hangzhou, China.

Flagship Program students in the mountains of China

Chinese Flagship Program Established

2014

The Chinese Flagship program was established at the University. The program combines language training with extensive studies of Chinese society and culture, as well as study abroad and internship experiences.

China Champions Program Begins

2014

The China Champions Program, established in 2014, fosters an exchange of culture, education, and sport. The University of Minnesota annually hosts a cohort of Chinese Olympic and world champion athletes and coaches.

Considering China Webinar Series Launches

2020

The China Center launches the Considering China webinar series to explore important topics related to China's many facets and to encourage meaningful conversations and reflections.

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2020

Welcome to the China Center!

Upcoming Events

Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise

Join Our Mailing List

News and Announcements

2022 Griffin Lecture Discusses China's Role in Global Debt Crisis

Growing Up With the Oldest and Most Complex Chinese Strategic Board Game

A Global Business’ Growth Journey During China's Rise: Strategic Considerations Amid U.S.-China Tensions

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon?: Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World

Student Stories

Forming International Friendships in Hong Kong

Historical Timeline

First Chinese Students 1914 The first three Chinese students enrolled at the University of Minnesota: Pan Wen Ping, Pan Wen Huen, and Kwong Yih Kum (Harding). They all played on the University soccer team and made significant contributions to the championship won during the 1914 season.

First Chinese Students

Chinese Students' Club Founded 1915 The Chinese Students’ Club at the University was founded. For more than four decades, the student organization created opportunities for students at the University to develop fellowship, especially among Chinese students.

Chinese Students' Club Founded

First Chinese National Speaks on Campus

Agricultural Engineers Receive Training

Chinese Language and Literature Program Established 1949 University Professor Richard Mather established the Chinese language and literature program at the University of Minnesota.

Chinese Language and Literature Program Established

University Professor in Second U.S. Delegation to China 1973 University Professor Robert J. Poor visited China and gave two lectures. This was the second U.S. delegation to China after U.S. President Nixon’s trip in 1972.

University Professor in Second U.S. Delegation to China

First Chinese Delegation Visits University 1974 An agricultural delegation led by University alumnus Wu Shaokui was the first Chinese delegation to visit the University, sponsored by the U.S. National Academy of Science’s Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People’s Republic of China.

First Chinese Delegation Visits University

First Delegation to China 1979 The University sent its first delegation to China, led by Regent Wenda Moore, where four agreements were signed with Chinese universities. The delegation was received by Chinese Vice Prime Minister Fang Yi at the Great Hall of the People.

First Delegation to China

First Study Abroad Program 1980 University students participated in the first study abroad program to China titled “Summer Intensive Chinese Language Institute” at Nankai University. The program had 37 total participants from the University and other U.S. universities.

First Study Abroad Program

University Student Band Tours China 1980 The University student band toured China as the first foreign band to the country after the Cultural Revolution.

University Student Band Tours China

First University Presidential Delegation to China

Alumni Chapter Formed in Beijing 1995 The first University of Minnesota Alumni Association chapter in China was formalized in Beijing.

Alumni Chapter Formed in Beijing

China Executive MBA Program Begins

Mingda Institute for Leadership Program Established 2001 The University’s China Center established the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training. The first trainees arrived from the Administrative Department of Zhejiang Province.

Mingda Institute for Leadership Program Established

Bilateral Research Forum Held in Beijing

University Office Opens in Beijing 2009 The University’s first international office was established in Beijing to promote alumni relations, support international admission, and facilitate partnership in China.

University Office Opens in Beijing

American Cultural Center Established 2013 The University of Minnesota Crookston partnered with Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic to establish the American Cultural Center for Culture Exchange in Hangzhou, China.

American Cultural Center Established

Chinese Flagship Program Established 2014 The Chinese Flagship program was established at the University. The program combines language training with extensive studies of Chinese society and culture, as well as study abroad and internship experiences.

Chinese Flagship Program Established

China Champions Program Begins 2014 The China Champions Program, established in 2014, fosters an exchange of culture, education, and sport. The University of Minnesota annually hosts a cohort of Chinese Olympic and world champion athletes and coaches.

China Champions Program Begins

Considering China Webinar Series Launches 2020 The China Center launches the Considering China webinar series to explore important topics related to China's many facets and to encourage meaningful conversations and reflections.

Considering China Webinar Series Launches

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First Chinese Students

1914

The first three Chinese students enrolled at the University of Minnesota: Pan Wen Ping, Pan Wen Huen, and Kwong Yih Kum (Harding). They all played on the University soccer team and made significant contributions to the championship won during the 1914 season.

Chinese Students' Club Founded

1915

The Chinese Students’ Club at the University was founded. For more than four decades, the student organization created opportunities for students at the University to develop fellowship, especially among Chinese students.

Chinese Language and Literature Program Established

1949

University Professor Richard Mather established the Chinese language and literature program at the University of Minnesota.

University Professor in Second U.S. Delegation to China

1973

University Professor Robert J. Poor visited China and gave two lectures. This was the second U.S. delegation to China after U.S. President Nixon’s trip in 1972.

First Delegation to China

1979

The University sent its first delegation to China, led by Regent Wenda Moore, where four agreements were signed with Chinese universities. The delegation was received by Chinese Vice Prime Minister Fang Yi at the Great Hall of the People.

First Study Abroad Program

1980

University students participated in the first study abroad program to China titled “Summer Intensive Chinese Language Institute” at Nankai University. The program had 37 total participants from the University and other U.S. universities.

University Student Band Tours China

1980

The University student band toured China as the first foreign band to the country after the Cultural Revolution.

Alumni Chapter Formed in Beijing

1995

The first University of Minnesota Alumni Association chapter in China was formalized in Beijing.

Mingda Institute for Leadership Program Established

2001

The University’s China Center established the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training. The first trainees arrived from the Administrative Department of Zhejiang Province.

University Office Opens in Beijing

2009

The University’s first international office was established in Beijing to promote alumni relations, support international admission, and facilitate partnership in China.

American Cultural Center Established

2013

The University of Minnesota Crookston partnered with Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic to establish the American Cultural Center for Culture Exchange in Hangzhou, China.

Chinese Flagship Program Established

2014

The Chinese Flagship program was established at the University. The program combines language training with extensive studies of Chinese society and culture, as well as study abroad and internship experiences.

China Champions Program Begins

2014

The China Champions Program, established in 2014, fosters an exchange of culture, education, and sport. The University of Minnesota annually hosts a cohort of Chinese Olympic and world champion athletes and coaches.

Considering China Webinar Series Launches

2020

The China Center launches the Considering China webinar series to explore important topics related to China's many facets and to encourage meaningful conversations and reflections.