193. HOW CHINA HELPED TO SHAPE AMERICAN CULTURE

The well-known academic journal in the field of Asian Studies, Virginia Review of Asian Studies carries Dr. Dave Wang's article in its 2010 issue.

HOW CHINA HELPED TO SHAPE AMERICAN CULTURE: THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND CHINESE CIVILIZATION

The transmission of Chinese culture to colonial North America, later to be the United States, is one of the most significant examples of the spread of Chinese civilization overseas where no significant direct contact existed. In the meantime, the efforts from the eminent colonists and the founding fathers of the United States to draw nourishment from the culture provide an excellent example of how American culture was influenced by Chinese culture.

The impact of Chinese culture on cultural, economical and political development of North America was evident. For instance, Confucius, who has been regarded as the very emblem of Chinese civilization, was very influential in colonial North America. Some eminent colonists, including Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Thomas Paine (1737-1809), John Bartram (1699-1777), and Jedidiah Morse (1761-1826), the pioneer of American geography, expressed their respecting for Confucius and his moral philosophy.
more is available from this link.

192. The Institute Hosts East-West Connections Forum

Dr. Dave Wang, a renowned scholar of China's influence on America's founding fathers, will speak about his personal experiences with East-West connections.

According to the director, the university would "hope to bring more depth of understanding to the kinds of cultural exchanges that happen in our societies, and also build a better understanding of the relationship that currently exists between the United States and China."

More information concerning this forum held by Valparaiso University is available from this link.

191. Feedback on Dr. Wang's Speech in Japan

Dr. Wang delivered his Speech in Japan. In the following you can find the announcement on his talk in Japan:

2010年6月19日（土）AJフォーラム19 "From Confucius to the Great Wall: Chinese Cultural Influence on Colonial North America"「孔子から長城まで：独立前の北米への中国文化の影響」を行いました。
日時：2010年6月19日(土）　15:00～17:00
講師：Dr. Dave Wang (Manager, Queens Library at Hollis, Adjunct Professor, St. Johns University, Guest Professor, Jilin Normal University)

当日は教員、学生など約20名の方にご参加いただきました。
どうもありがとうございました。

How is his speech viewed by Japanese professors? The following quote is from Professor Tokubumi Shibata, Kokushikan University:

I, my colleagues and students have learned from you very much.
Your lecture was not only interesting but stimulating and meaningful.
It is I who should express gratefulness. I am looking for another chance to see and talk with you. July 16, 2010

You also can enjoy the photos taken when Dr. Wang made his speech through this link.

190. George Washington and American Trade with China

In its May 2010 Issue, the well-known E-Magazine edited by the World Federation of Huaren, published Dr. Wang's paper, George Washington and the China Trade. You can read the opening paragraph of his paper below:

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial Relations.----George Washington

Embodied Americans’ hope to “break through” the British blockage and revitalize “the depressed postwar economy,” the Empress of China, the first American commercial ship after its independence, left New York for Canton on February 22, 1784.

Not long before the departure of the Empress of China Washington discussed China trade and its impact on the United Stats with Ezra Stiles, the President of Yale College. During the discussion he conveyed the following ideas with Washington, “Navigation will carry the American flag around the globe itself, and display the thirteen stripes and new constellation, at Bengal and Canton, on the Indus and Ganges, on the Whang-ho and the Yang-ti-king, and with commerce will import the wisdom and literature of the East.” About a month after the Empress of China sailed to China, George Washington told Thomas Jefferson that “from trade our citizen will not be restrained.”

You can read the whole article through this link.

189. Benjamin Franklin and China

As an indicator of increasing popularity of Dr. Wang's study of United States founding fathers' efforts to draw nourishment from Chinese civilization, recently, the popular site Desktop has included Dr. Wang's well-known paper, Benjamin Franklin and China in its website.

A reader is able to access the paper through this link.