Each year, the China Center publishes an annual report that highlights the stories, accomplishments, and partnerships that allow us to be successful in Building U.S.-China Bridges over the past year.
Annual reports are published based on the University fiscal calendar of July 1–June 30 each year.
Current Annual Report
Read the 2024–25 Annual Report (PDF)
In the Report:
Letter from the Executive Director
Reflecting on activities of the China Center over the past 18 months, I am proud of our partnerships and collaborations with colleagues and friends like you to deliver new educational and cultural programs that connect us all in meaningful ways.
We appreciate your strong support of the China Center and its mission. Your generous donations make it possible to offer scholarships and exchanges and fund cultural and educational programs. Together we can foster greater understanding and build strong bridges of exchange with China.
Sincerely,
Joan Brzezinski, Executive Director
China Center Featured Programs
The China Center marked its 45th anniversary with a dinner celebration featuring the 2024 Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture. Yasheng Huang, professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, presented “The China Model at a Crossroads: Implications for U.S.-China Relations in a Shifting Global Environment.” In recognition of the 45th anniversary, three former directors—Pat Needle, David Pui, and Hong Yang—shared their reflections at the event.
The China Center’s popular Considering China Webinars continued to draw attendees from around the world, with topics including social media, innovation, Chinese retirees, opera, and other important topics related to China's many facets.
The China Center celebrated the Year of the Snake with a Chinese New Year Reception on February 5. Guests were treated to delicious food and a beautiful musical performance by Jing Hu master Zhengang Xie, and Yue Qin master Mei Hu.
The 2025 China Bridge Challenge case competition marked a milestone: for the first time, each University of Minnesota team was paired with student counterparts in Shanghai, creating 22 cross-border teams. The winning team demonstrated how both countries’ cities can learn from one another’s progress in green technology.
The Sping Lin and Ying-Ngoh T. Lin Visiting Scholars Fellowship expands opportunities for University of Minnesota faculty and staff to host visiting scholars, strengthening academic exchange and building lasting connections with China. The 2025 fellowship was awarded to Professor Yingling Fan, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Professor Dingliang Yang, College of Design.
The 2025 Griffin Lecture featured Professor Tarun Khanna of Harvard Business School offering the compelling talk, Reflections on the Chinese and Indian Innovation Ecosystem. His talk underscored how shared learning across borders strengthens not only economic growth but also cultural understanding—an idea at the heart of the Griffin Lecture’s mission.
Campus and Community Support
The China Center supported the campus community in many ways including: collaborating with the Global DBA program of the Carlson School of Management to host a U.S.–China Relations Forum; hosting a delegation with representatives from Ecolab’s China and local offices; and supporting students participating in the 2025 China Deep Dive Program at Peking University.
On April 24, the China Center partnered with Global Minnesota to locally host the 2025 CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections, a national program organized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Mark Sidel, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, led an on-site discussion with attendees.
The China Center co-hosted the Minnesota Open 2025 Go Tournament with the Twin Cities Go Club on October 18, bringing together players from across the Midwest for a day of competitive play and cultural celebration. A Learn to Play Go session provided new players with an opportunity to learn about the game and participate in a friendly 9x9 mini-competition.
Donors and Supporters
Through the generous support of donors, the China Center provides financial assistance to University of Minnesota students interested in China and its culture. In the 2024-25 academic year, the China Center provided funding to 12 students to study in greater China or explore their interest in China and its culture.
We mourn the passing of Jennie Ho Hsiao, a cherished friend of the China Center and a visionary supporter of our students. We extend our deepest condolences to the Hsiao family and are so very grateful for their continued support of the Jennie and Fred Hsiao Scholarship Fund. Jennie’s memory lives on in the students whose lives she transformed and in the community she strengthened with her vision and heart.