ČÍŇANÉ V ZAHRANIČÍ

PROGRAM KONFERENCE

MICHAELA KAPIČKOVÁ: GOURMET CHINA IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Viewing of gourmet China is a rather delicate matter mainly due to its diversity all around the word, which means that any foreign analyses could not be applied on the specific conditions that differ from state to state. Moreover systematic research which is narrowly focused on this matter in Czech Republic has yet to be conducted. That is what makes this paper undeniably unique. Therefore, the brief but widely focused introduction is needed to secure a basic understanding of Chinese eating culture, which we later compare to the current situation in Czech Republic. The paper explains how Chinese eating culture is viewed by Czech people and how it originated. An important part of this is getting to know the main ingredients commonly used in China. And further to this information, the survey deals with the accessibility of ingredients for cooking from the basic supermarkets to the specialized shops and market halls. Finally the last part, albeit the most significant for a deep understanding of Gourmet China, is field research in Brno. By ways of using different methods, we will introduce some interesting knowledgeable people who are crucial in terms of justifying our results in respect of gourmet China in the Czech Republic, with a specific focus on Brno.

 

 KRISTÍNA SZABOVÁ: CHINESE IN HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood has long exerted an international influence on the global imagination. In the first half of the 20th century, Chinese American actors who aspired to a career in Hollywood found their opportunities limited to roles that propagated Asian stereotypes.Meanwhile, many Chinese roles were given to non-Asian actors playing “yellowface”.It has been a long, difficult road for Chinese in Hollywood who have striven to build meaningful careers behind and in front of the camera. This presentation provides captivating insight into the history of Chinese artists in Hollywood. It brings together a fascinating portrait of actors, directors and iconic images to show how the Chinese have been represented in moviesfrom the silent era to the current new wave of Asian American cinema. The study reveals stories behind the Asian faces that have graced the silver screen, and unforgettable performances and groundbreaking films.A qualitative exploratory approach, using autobiographical literature and American-Chinese movies provides the basis for primary research, with case studies as a secondary research method. Together, these methods facilitate an analysis of the evolution of Chinese influence in Hollywood, focused on the contributions of Chinese and Chinese Americans to the film and television industries as well as of those who lived and worked in the Hollywood area.

MILICA MAJORČÍKOVÁ: SHENYUN The Chinese culture is often considered one of the oldest, most original and interesting cultures

in the world. Despite many anthropologists studyingitand a wealth of well-researched studies available, there are still areas not so well known to the public yet. However, that does not mean that they are not worth to be better known. It is rather due to the amazing breadthof this topic and the ability to always surprise and attract. The conference paper that I will present at this conference examines the topic of Shen Yun, one of the ways in which the Chinese culture is being widespread and presented to the world. Professional artists meet together to show us how diverse, breath-taking and energetic Chinese culture is. In my presentation I focus on historical background of this group. I describe certain historical events, which significantly influenced the formation of this community. I speak about the tight connection between Shen Yun and Falun Gong and how this relationship has been influencing the artists. I look closer onwhere they take their inspiration for the performance from, and what their desire and intention to propagate and represent Chinese traditional culture despite persecution and restriction of the Chinese government stems from. I bring you closer to the Chinese traditional dance and music - the main elements presented in the performance. Besides that, I show you how particular opinions on this worldwide phenomena differfrom eachother and what we imagine under the Shen Yun concept.

PAVLA KRAJCOVÁ: CHINESE COMMUNITY IN RYUKYU

Throughout history, the Ryukyu Kingdom has had some complextributary relations with China and Japan. In 17th century, this kingdom was even considered to be a tributary state of both countries simultaneously. Every one of these countries perceived the level of its partner’s independence and importance in a different way. The level of the mutual influence also varied depending on the point of view and the era. The point is to illustrate the significance and the impal of such relations. This research is focused on Chinese migrants coming to Ryukyu in the 14th century, who settled there and founded an important community of intellectuals called Kumemura. It is possible to show its deeper cultural and political influence due to research done on literky sources and thus examinations of the community’s social status and function. The conclusion formed is that members of Kumemura belonged to a high and privileged part of society co-creating Ryukyu’s administrative organization and scholarship over several centuries.

KATEŘINA VALÍČKOVÁ: CHINESE IMMIGRANTS IN MONGOLIA

The migration of the Chinese population to Mongolia is now closely linked to several factors. The first is location - Mongolia is bordering China in the South which is a great opportunity for cultural transmissions and trade. The second is history - the history of China has very close connections with Mongolian history, which reached its peak in the 13th century, when the mongolian Yuan dynasty was established in China. The third factor is investment - not only do the Mongolian have fertile plains that offers space for farmers, but also minerals and oil that are a source of Mongolian natural wealth. Given that the migration of Chinese in Mongolia began in the 9th century, we can also observe some cultural similarities between these two cultures. However, the Mongolian feeling about chinese immigrants is unfriendly. It is characterized by a constant struggle for power, and after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty of Mongolia rencopasses an effort to break away from Chinese influence.The presentation will be divided into several parts. First, a brief introduction will be given to the historical development of Chinese immigration to Mongolia and a situation during the soviet period and after the fall of the USSR. The situation of Chinese immigrants, especially their social conditions, will be presented in part two. The third part is devoted to Chinese investment in Mongolia, as now Chinese investors are very much in demand and are currently considered to be the main reason of migration of the Chinese population in this country.

ADÉLA BORÁŇOVÁ: INCORPORATION OF CHINESE IMMIGRANTS INTO SOCIETY

My contribution to Chine abroad should highlight main issues which are related to the integration of Chinese immigrants into society. Every aspect of their lives should be examined. All individuals should be handled as a part of the society they moved into. We should analyze matters, which bias their living in a contemporary world. There are many non-occupational problems, which are affected by their way of living. Social life is corrupted by interruption from the families. What should also be considered is the educational difficulties that are often faced by immigrants. Great matter is impersonated by the relationship between the government and people migrating in matter of labour. We should bring out another, perhaps less obvious topics, such as language differences, which are reducing chances for success. Integrating Chine immigrants into society is not an easy task, and as it is a very complex topic, nevertheless I would like to reflect highlight the key issues. I believe it will be an enriching acquisition for an audience and it gives the right opportunity for a reflection of a reported theme in a discussion after my contribution, because it is a truly contemporary issue surrounding Chinese society that should be spoken about.

ALENA CHRÁPAVÁ: ILLEGAL MIGRATION FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG

This is an abstract for my contribution at a student conference at Masaryk University; topic is Illegal migration from China to Hong Kong. The communistic regime and social situation in People’s Republic of China, emigration levels have been rising for some time. Unfortunately, illegal migration offers an easy way for Chinese inhabitants to move away, rather than pursuing the often time-consuming legal route. One of the most popular destinations, and the closest, that they opt to move to, is Hong Kong, which holds a special administrative status towards China.This presentation mainly concerns the reasons for the above mentioned illegal immigration. Reasons why the Chinese residents choose this region, what kind of future they are hoping to achieve and results of the real living for them, most of the time, end up. Also an issue is the huge risks they are willing to undertake for a “better future” and the means of transport which are used, is an important topic. The second half of this speech brings to the fore the history of illegal immigration to Hong Kong, and current/contemporary laws and regulations against such migrants. The presentation concludes with an examination of international opinion regarding this issue, and Hong Kong’s reactions.

BARBORA KRAUSOVÁ: CCNC REDRESS THE CHINESE HEAD TAX

Chinese Canadian National Council was founded in 1980to improve conditions for Chinese inhabitants. Various projects have been created within this organization with the aim to stop social oppression and violent or subtle forms of discrimination and racism (e.g. protests against CTV and W5’s producers, against Deputy Mayor of Markham Carole Bell, etc.). The question is how efficient this effort is. In this paper, we focus on a campaign Redress the "Chinese Head Tax". This movement is quite successful. It sought a formal apology and appropriate redress for families affected by racist policies in the past.The paper clarifies conditions surrounding the creation of this proposal, started in 1984, and initial reactions of the government and local non-Chinese citizens. Furthermore, the woes this movement had to experience and the final compensation. Above all, the main goal of the paper is to compare the original idea of compensation and current situation on the basis of information from various sources.Like many others, this movement also did not reach its goal completely. Compensation was paid only to immigrants who were alive, or to their widowed spouses. The children of robbed immigrants cannot claim any compensation.Nevertheless, this campaign can be regarded as successful, especially considering the initial, very strong resistance that it endured. Nowadays, people still tend to be racist, though perhaps less overtly so. We can only hope that the gradual steps taken, like this campaign, will change the Canadian-Chinese society into being accepted and respected as equals.

NICOLA POLEDŇÁKOVÁ: THE CHINESE AND GOLD RUSH IN NEW ZEALANDARROWTOWN

My presentation will be about the Chinese community who went to New Zealand because of the gold rush. Although most of the gold diggers went to Australia or California, some searched for fortunes in the then not so famous New Zealand. From the available sources we can see, that the Chinese originally arrived in New Zealand in the 1860s during the Otago Gold Rush (began 1861). The Chinese who went there were mainly from Guangdong province in southern China. They left their country because they lived in poverty, there was high unemployment, the area was over-populated and still suffering the effects of the Opium Wars, but they were still dreaming of returning home rich to a proud family. This presentation will concentrate on Arrowtown Chinese Settlement since I have been there and I would like to describe what their everyday life consist of, what their housing looks like, and how they clothe themselves. I would also like to focus on how much people in their host community accepted them or otherwise how cruel it was to adapt to freezing winters in New Zealand and how it currently looks in Arrowtown. The presentation will also display interesting photos that I personally took when in Arrowtown.

BORIS FREŠO: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CHINESE MIGRATION INTO AFRICA

Chinese investments in Africa are increasing year by year. According to the new China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation White Paper which was released by the Chinese State Council in 2013, the total China-Africa trade volume has grown from slightly more than US$ 50 billion in 2006 to approximately US$ 200 billion in 2012. In comparison, the total value of trade between the US and Africa in 2012 was stated as being US$ 72 billion. Substantial Chinese investments in Africa have inevitably leaded to strengthen political influence. As a result, various experts in the field of global politics criticize China for possibility of becoming a new “neo-colonial power” in the Dark Continent. While present studies are largely focusing on the “new scramble of Africa`s resources” regarding to geopolitics, this paper examines the economic implications of Chinese migration in Africa. Firstly, this study will brief introduce the Chinese business activities in the African continent, along with the possible motivations of the Chinese Government for adopting such a policy. Secondly, it will describe the Sino-African trading relationship with regards to the amount of Chinese investments, numbers of migrant workers and companies in each particular country within the last 10 years. Finally, this research will discuss the question of positive and negative consequences of Chinese influence on the African continent from the economic point of view.