No Money No Honey
22
September 2013
Central
to Confucius beliefs are strong relationships.
On our bus ride to Rewi Alley’s residence Laura describe the 5 relationships
that underpin Confucianism, (refer to http://voices.yahoo.com/the-five-major-relationships-according-confucius-298469.html?cat=41 for more
detail). This was an appropriate way to
start day 5 because our visits focused on relationships between China and New
Zealand and how they have evolved over time.
Rewi
Alley House is a tranquil place. It had
beautiful European style buildings and we were greeted by an amazing steel
sculpture when we came through the gates.
We hosted by Zhang Heqiang, the Deputy Director General of American and
Overseas Affairs in a grand meeting room and told about Rewi Alley and why he
is so revered in China.
Rewi
Alley was a New Zealander who saw China’s potential. He saw it in the people, particularly those
who were most oppressed and suffering under Imperial regime. We were told how Rewi Alley worked to prepare
Chinese children for “new China” that he believe was coming, and indeed did
arrive in 1949 with the Communist party taking control. Alley was committed to the belief that
China’s future could be better than it’s past.
We
were shown a museum which celebrated the many connections the China Friendship
Society has made. These showed a
commitment to developing relationships with people and organisations that are
committed to achieving Alley’s vision of a better future for China. Central to the partnership are a development
cultural respect and understanding.
We
then went to Hanban, Confucius Institutes headquarters in Beijing. We were met in foyer that proudly displayed
flags from the many countries that have relationships with the Confucius
Institute. We were shown around a museum
with an amazing array of artefacts which provided insights into key elements of
Chinese and history. Though the tour was fascinating and Zhang Yang
( ‘Jacky Chan’) an entertaining host I personally who have like to find out more
about the Confucius Institute in Beijing and how it work with various
organisations around the world.
After
lunch we visited the Beijing Institute of Education. Professor Wang talked us about the
international nature of the college and how it was working to develop Chinese
cultural awareness in the students through its many programmes. We were made aware of the many opportunities
there are to study in Beijing and learn the language. From there we went on to the Beijing Language and Culture University Press. Alex Liu shared with us the latest resources
they had developed to teach English speakers Mandarin. Many of
resources would have been excellent for primary schools but because of weight
restrictions it was not possible to purchase them there. Fortunately there is online store for school
purchase the resources from.
A
desire to the future to be better than the past is driven by its youth. The young people are keen to emulate ‘kids’
in the west with all the same ‘mods and cons’.
Relationships are now centred on economics, nationally and
personally. Like in the west wealth is
seen as important and this drives the relationship that China seeks today. Whether it is looking for a husband or
developing a trade partnership, “no money, no honey”.
Marcus
Freke
