On 15^th October 2021 the Whole Person Education Office organized the third lecture of the UIC Liberal Arts Forum, inviting Prof. Pengcheng GONG, Distinguished Professor at Peking University and Beijing Normal University, Chair Professor at Shandong University, and Founding President of Taiwan Nanhua University and Fo Guang University. Prof. GONG’s lecture examined the “Cultural Confidence of the Chinese Nation”, which he delivered both in person and via online live streaming.

Prof. GONG introduced the development and present situation of traditional Chinese culture from a global perspective, and presented stories and achievements of various masters who devoted themselves to promote and develop Chinese culture and literature. Among them were the stories of Mr. Zongyi RAO, a master of ancient Chinese civilization, and Mr. Zhouren SHI, a Sinologist who impressed students and staff the most.

Prof. GONG also pointed out that some western translations of Chinese classics were inaccurate, resulting in cultural misunderstandings and distortions. Hence he had been working to spread Chinese traditional culture around the world, which required efficient methods of international communication. Prof. GONG also encouraged students to enhance their cultural knowledge and improve cultural confidence, as Chinese young generations would act as cultural messengers to spread the essence of Chinese culture throughout the world.