Teaching in China
Although I am not a Sinologist, I have maintained a longstanding interest in China, its foreign policy, and its role in regional and global governance. In addition to conference visits, I have taught several times in China, most often at Fudan University in Shanghai and most recently (2009) with the UC Education Abroad Program at Fudan.
I served on the Committee on International Relations Studies with the PRC (CIRSPRC, 1992-93) and the Executive Committee of the Program for International Studies in Asia (PISA, 1993-2004).
My first teaching visit took place over the Christmas/New Year's holiday, 1980-81. The students in the International Politics Department at Fudan University were among the most enthusiastic and talented that I have taught during my career. Many have gone on to distinguished careers in China and the United States. On my right in this photograph is Professor Wang Guoming, who was instrumental in building the Department of International Politics at Fudan University.
Shanghai and China were very different then.
(Image: Huai Hai Lu, Shanghai, December 1980)
Teaching was also very different, although my students were dedicated enough to follow my English lectures and my terrible blackboard handwriting, which has not improved.
During a later visit to Fudan, I was honored to meet the university president, the distinguished physicist, Xie Xide, at the center in this portrait. My friend, Professor Ni Shixiong stands at the left of the photo; second from left is one of the youngest Fudan University professors at that time, Wang Huning, who is now a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee.