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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

2025 Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture

5:00 PM | Tuesday, November 18, 2025

McNamara Alumni Center

This lecture will offer a preliminary exploration of some similarities but primarily the differences in the ways in which China and India have approached the pre-meditated task of upgrading their respective national innovation infrastructures.

News and Announcements

China Bridge Challenge Winners Encourage Information Sharing Between Cities

The team of six students, three from the University of Minnesota and three from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, proposed the U.S.-China Story Map as a way for cities in China and the U.S. to learn from each other as they pursue sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.
The China Model at a Crossroads: Implications for U.S.-China Relations in a Shifting Global Environment

Yasheng Huang argued against the idea that the China Model policies led to China’s economic takeoff, explaining that many of the challenges facing China today are a direct result of the China Model.
From the Reform Generation to Generation Xi: A Teacher Returns to a Chinese Classroom After Twenty Years

Journalist and author Peter Hessler talks about his observations living in Fuling.

Student Stories

Up Close with the Olympics

Joshua Gormaz

I had the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture as well as the importance of the Olympics on the culture of the country.

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.

Welcome to the China Center!

Upcoming Events

2025 Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture

Join Our Mailing List

News and Announcements

China Bridge Challenge Winners Encourage Information Sharing Between Cities

The China Model at a Crossroads: Implications for U.S.-China Relations in a Shifting Global Environment

From the Reform Generation to Generation Xi: A Teacher Returns to a Chinese Classroom After Twenty Years

Student Stories

Up Close with the Olympics

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.