Chinese Canadian Library Weblog

Unlike the common question on Chinese immigrants, I was helping a Ph.D candidate to track down emigration statistics from the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1989 and to date. A new government sponsored research report Conducted by Xiamen U happens to be released, but only on 1970 to 2008: “从上世纪７０年代到２００７－２００８年间，从中国前往世界各地的移民超过１０００万人。其中，来自港澳台地区的约１６０－１７０万，来自中国大陆约８００多万。前往发达国家的中国新移民近７００万，前往发展中国家的有３００多万。 “Another study estimates that a total of 45 million Chinese have emigrated in the last 30 years. It’s an estimate probably because it’s more difficult for the government to track emigrants than immigrants.

It’s funny that both studies are sponsored by the same government agency (qiaoban). The new study conducted by Xiamen U. is probably more accurate. I met Dr. Zhang at last fall’s conference in Xiamen, and she is coming to WCILCOS this May. I can learn more details of the survey from her in person. Interesting topic. I imagine the number of emigrants prior to the open door policy is probably very tiny (not to count the millions who went to Taiwan in 1948 and 1949).

This reminds me an earlier reference request on China’s emigration policy in 1956. Quite some people were allowed to leave the country unexpectively then.

Just finished the conference paper, and found time to come back here. Several events related to international students in the past weeks. Minister Wong visited us last week and mentioned: “49 high schools in China using the Canadian high school curriculum, some of those graduates may come to UBC”.

Winnie brought a group of 15 students from the IGSPP program. On top of a regular orientation of the library collection and services, I was asked to help with their “soul searching about what they really want to do in terms of their academic and career planning. ” My personal experience as an international student and a foreign worker seemed to attract their attention and reduced our distance.

I am glad that many people on this campus are willing to help these kids far from home. Winnie, Lee Ann, Alden, etc. I was invited again to the networking session of Launch a Career in Canada. Enjoyed the chat with students from all over the world. Glad to see Charles whom I usually only get to see during new school year orientation. He suggested we work out more programs together.

Reference requests rushed in last week. Asian Studies’ new year party attracted many people. I could only stood at the back for a short time. A white student asked for some ghost stories from Ming so he could compare with Liao Zhai. I just assumed he wanted English translation, until he confirmed that he really wanted to read the original scripts from China. I am glad to see the growth of non-heritage students at the party and the library.

Worked on Saturday and still receiving “happy New year” greetings in Engling-Cantonese and other languages. One Chinese student complained about hearing “kung hei fat choy” so often this time of the year, and it shouldn’t be considered as typical Chinese new year greetings. Sigh, what can I say?

Hard to believe that our students want to perform Peking Opera in English. Translated scripts, costumes, make-up, lots for them to learn before they can put up a show, but they are keen on real Jingju. Our traditional script translations are too old, but we do have a few. Thanks to Ye Ding’s personal experience and referral. Dr. Elizebath Wichman-Walzac, Chair of Theater Department of University of Hawaii, seems to be the pioneer in performing Jingju in English in North America. From 1985 onwards, she translated, directed and performed one Jingju play every four years. The famous ones such as Phoenix Returns to Nest (the script was published), Jade Hall of Spring, Judge Bao, The Yang Family Generals, etc. She directed remarkable performances. Wonder if she has published her script translations.

本来这里的冬天就不冷，而今年尤其如此。 阳光灿烂的日子很多。但是又有几位同行朋友离开。沁沁已经荣获西安大略大学的职位，朱磊乔迁硅谷，黄祺也将告别温哥华。假期忙着给他们送行，心中难免有些失落。但是，我们不都随着工作四海为家吗？收到他们的来信或者电话，语气中已经没有了最初的惆怅。 龙年将至，祝那些在温哥华相识相知的朋友们过得更好!

下班时月光下的校园

It’s mild and warm this winter break. Besides attending parties, we took a walk along the river to Steveston. Many other people enjoyed the mild weather there. Starbuks and resturants in the village were full. While I was working from home, I heard geese flying by quite often, and I saw thousands of them landed on Palmer’s lawn. This weather really made me wonder if I should register for Polar Bear Plunge.

Finished one book chapter that is a bit shy from 10,000 words, but Paul likes it. Started working on the paper for WCILCOS 2012, another piece I enjoy writing and learning the same time. Ross, Shirin and Gu Xiong are obviously working from home as well, so did Elliot. Trying to develop the online workshop content, and will need to talk with more folks tomorrow.

We are lucky this winter in BC. Lots of Sunshine and beautiful mornings in Richmond.

Tons of Chinese media coverage on our trip to China, and glad to see a couple from the States.

One is by Dr. Lee in American Libraries.

Another by Brother Qiu in World Journal.

小时候去过很多次山西，只觉得大山里有洞可钻又有河的地方很好玩。那时不仅暑假在山里避暑，记得还被送到大寨参观。大学毕业前最后一次陪父母旅游又到了山西——太原、晋祠、五台山，至今印象深刻。记忆中的山西人纯朴、热情、友善。这次的交流项目将太原作为最后一站实在惬意。马跃、小宋、王馆带我们沿着宽阔笔直、布满霓虹灯的道路来到丹枫白鹭。 下榻的小酒店除了色彩亮丽的漆器家具，还有壁炉和书架。邱学长在等待安排房间的时候，已经便览《山西通志》啦。房间里温暖如春，似乎还有地热。看得出是省馆精心挑选了这个离会场有点距离的温馨之处。这对于离家月余、四出奔波的我尤其重要。

乔家大院

在山西，我找到了置身华夏山水之间的感觉，人们以自己的本土文化自豪， 告诉我们“五千年的文化要看山西”。莫非当年父母知道我一心想出国留学，带我走遍山西是有一番苦心的。

星期天，趁山西各地同行在太原集合报道的时候， 我们到了40公里以外的乔家大院。只在张艺谋的电影里见过，而这次亲临其境的感觉完全不同。从乾隆年间直到现在，那厚重的院墙，深不见底的院落和雕梁画栋的装饰让人流连。 那时的乔家就已经将金融生意遍布全球甚至走向世界了。家规、行规、大宅院的管理等等是有它一套的。

Commercialized ancient city--Pingyao

相比之下平遥古城展示的是State Power。我虽惊叹其保存完整，但衙门尤其是监狱的刑法展示让我觉得难以承受。风衣放在面包车里，车只能停在城外。到后来借得李博士的毛衣，又买了顶帽子，才坚持着走完平遥。满街的商业气息已经让我窒息，碍于导游小伙的劝导，也只好洒下些银子。但一定要不择手段，像大牌广告这样招揽生意吗？一个文化旅游胜地在国力许可的情况下，是否可以做出更有品位的商业呢？像当年平遥鼎盛的时候？

Thanks to Wuhan Library’s arrangement, we left skyscrapers and heavy traffic behind us, drove into a village–Da Yu Wan (大余湾）. The retired library head, Mr. Yu, in Huangpi, Hubei Province, entertained us proudly with his own rhymes about his and Mulan’s hometown. It’s a well-known historical place with a mountain, a river and a lake all named after Mulan. On the top of the Mulan Mountain, stands Mulan’s shrine. People around the world come here to worship this legendary figure. Besides Mulan, many people from this village became scholars, goverment officials in different dynasties or regimes.

Mr. Yu showed us dozens of residents from Ming and Qing. They are all connected, and we could walk through different households for the entire block. From Mr’s Yu’s talks and poems, I could sense the influence of Mulan. He refused all the rewards and retired to his hometown just like Mulan did a thousand years ago. He volunteered on restoring his village to previous settings from his childhood memory.

Mr. Yu stands in front of the Ming Dynasty walls.
On the way, we saw some constructions and old ponds cleanning. Some new paint covered the slogans of cultural revoluation period. I came at the right time, still got to see the marks left by time and the wars in the past 600 years.
Our group caught attention of villagers. This 86 year-old invited us for tea, and told us that young people are quite cosmopolitan nowadays. Lots of them are working in cities and even in the US or Japan. I stopped and sat by this lonely old man, listened to his stories.

Glad to see Wuhan as one of the stops of the TGAG trip. On top of the work, it’s like a reunion event. Jingxia successfully worked out the program held in her City Library, just like she brought her library into IFLA. I felt pressure after I saw the program package already in my hotel room.

The group had a meeting after dinner to clarify what we each need to work on. Thanks for the well equiped auditorium, I could move freely on the stage and had my eyes on the entire audience.

Glad to learn the Wuhan Library’s weekend workshops. Some library directors grabbed me to the side and told me their dilema and they had to activate all kinds of connections in order to survive.

Wuhan U just built and was about to open another new library. Marble floor and walls in the lobby. We used to have dance parties in the dinning hall near our dorm, it would be nice to dance here.

Saw many students here at Asian Library on the windy and wet Saturday. Several profs emailed about the down time of CNKI; A group of Steven’s is waiting for Sukeroku DVD returning in order to cope with next Monday’s quiz. Yoel’s question on 对口支援 is fascinating…

I am glad to learn that our TGAG group members are back home safely and still think gloabally on our next project. Hope I can find time to finish posting on the entrie trip.