Media

Belt & Road Lecture by the Faculty of Education, HKU
“American Vision and Chinese Mission: Will President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Create a ‘Pacific’ New World Order?”

26 Sep 2017

Chinese culture and Confucian philosophy inspired the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.  They envisioned that the new republic would keep “honest friendship with all nations and entangling alliances with none”.  Over the years, this founding vision has gradually changed. China has seemingly adopted the American vision as its mission in the world.  With the BRI, China intends to rejuvenate its Confucian culture and the commercial glory of ancient Silk Road civilisation.

Being sponsored by the University Grants Committee Funding Scheme for Theme-based Public Lectures, the Faculty of Education of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) presents the Belt & Road Lecture entitled “American Vision and Chinese Mission: Will President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Create a ‘Pacific’ New World Order?” to be delivered by Professor Patrick Mendis, Associate-in-Research, Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University, USA.

In the Lecture, Professor Mendis will explore the less-known Confucian influence on the enduring American foundation for a deeper understanding of the evolving Sino-American relationship and its challenges for Hong Kong and the world.

Members of the media are welcome to cover the event and the schedule is as follows:

Date: October 11, 2017 (Wednesday)
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Wang Gungwu Theatre, P4, Graduate House, HKU
Language: English

Patrick Mendis is an Associate-in-Research of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University and a Commissioner of the US National Commission for UNESCO at the State Department, an appointment by the Obama White House.  He is the author of Peaceful War: How the Chinese Dream and American Destiny Create a Pacific New World Order (also published in Mandarin Chinese in Beijing).  An Award-winning American diplomat and military professor, he has lectured at more than 25 Chinese universities, visited all the provinces of China, and traveled to every state in the US as well as 126 countries.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Emily Cheung, Senior Manager (Development and Communications) (Tel.: 3917 4270 / E-mail: emchy@hku.hk).