Since China began its rise in the early 1990s, the words 'China' or 'Chinese' have been represented and interpreted in a wide variety of ways, which have received different levels of acceptance in Greater China and among communities of Chinese diaspora.

How do the millennial youth—especially the so-called 'Sunflower Movement Generation' in Taiwan and the 'Umbrella Movement Generation' in Hong Kong—view the concept and reality of 'China' or 'being Chinese'? How do they approach their cultural, political, or national identity in face of a rising China? This talk seeks to explore these questions and discuss the potential impact and legacy of the two student movements last year on the ever-changing meaning of Chineseness today.

About the Speaker

Professor Shaw May-yi is a US-born and Taiwan-raised ‘third culture kid’. She researches identity and cross-cultural studies, East Asian literature and culture. She is currently a faculty member at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Professor Shaw received her BA degree in Political Science and East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and her PhD degree in modern Chinese and Japanese literature and culture at Harvard University.

After the Seminar

To allow for informal discussion, the seminar will be followed by a dinner with the guest speaker at 6:15pm. The location of the restaurant will be announced at the seminar. All are welcome, though those who attend will need to pay for their own food and drinks. As reservations must be made at the restaurant, please RSVP by noon of the day before the seminar to jasmine.lin@anu.edu.au

The ANU China Seminar Series is supported by the China Institute, the Research School of Asia and the Pacific, and the Australian Centre on China in the World at The Australian National University.