Barnett in Beijing
One down, five to go
Back in the hotel, 2300 local.
After blogging that last bit, I realized I was running late, took a quick shower, tried to steam my suit but found my steamer seemed to go bizerk on the local voltage (yes, I had adaptor plus converter, but it did so anyway). Then the iron cord proved too hard to uncoil and it was like my IQ was suddenly dropping; I felt kind of weird and panicky.
But then downstairs for long drive with Danny and Zhang Yu to Beijing U, when I had very nice dinner in VIP room with a host of academics, plus two genuine stars, Shi Yinhong, considered a top America watcher and Rian Chengdan, famous for being the first professor ever brought in to lecture the Politburo on foreign political developments. Rian held back some, but Shi and I went at it big time over dinner, in a serious soul-mate sort of discussion of global politics and where China and the U.S. must go in the future. Everyone around the table was smart as whips, but these two guys, both senior, were a cut above, so conversing with them brought me out of any jet-lagged lethargy I was feeling. Nice meal to boot.
That was one rapid hour meal, then short drive to very old and beautiful building on campus, where I am lead into your basic oblong conference roomed crammed to hilt with grad students and profs my age. I went two hours over 52 slides, not really changing anything but explaining myself more carefully. The command of English in the room was very impressive and made self-evident by the great questions I got later, which took us another hour to 2200.
Niu Ke, my host, and I share a couple of Chinese cigs in the sultry night air afterwards, catching up. It was my one time with Niu on this trip. Some of you will remember him from the adoption trip, his later trip to our house in Portsmouth with Zhange Yu and others, and then playing "cultural ambassador" to the Chinese team in the New Map Game.
Best news of the night probably that some key people with ability to influence Beijing U Press were in the room. Niu advised againstg any full-frontal. Like my agents back home, he felt that planting these seeds was the best way to free PNM. But, in talking with profs afterwards, I realize I am not the only one in this boat on censorship, so you try take it in stride since you're the guest.
One neat surprise was that Beijing U (for some reason, it still goes by Peking U, or PKU) gave me an honorarium in Chinese currency for my talk tonight. A small amount, but the highest honorarium they offer, according to all. I was really touched by it, and Niu's obvious effort in getting it--a kind sign of respect (plus I now have no need to exchange money). Niu kept saying that I had no idea how famous I had become in academic circles in China over the past two years, which is also cool. Not something I can check per se, although one academic gave me a copy of the American Studies Quarterly to show me the review of PNM from last year. The issue likewise had a major treatment of Joe Nye's work, who is nice company.
Gotta check some email and get off to bed. Lu Dehong, Deputy Director, Dept of Research at the China Foundation For International and Strategic Studies, expects me downstairs at 0800. After that it's Royal Dutch/Shell all afternoon. Then shopping with Zhang Yu and Danny and the promised treat of those Beijing basic noodles that I loved so much last time. Everyone around the table seemed amused that that was my definition of good eats in China. To them, it's like saying "give me McDonald's French fries" like it's a delicacy or something, when it's closer to plain old mashed potatoes.
Still, I like what I like.
So feel good to get through first of 6 briefs on this trip so well. Very little jet lag to deal with; more my throat from the local air conditions.
Driving through Beijing tonight, I am reminded of "Blade Runner," but not in a bad way. Beijing is just the city that most resembles that image that I've come across so far in my travels. I'm sure they are some that evoke those images more, but for now Beijing is it for me. I would really love to show this city to my kids. Zhang Yu is already demanding something sooner than early 2008, which is our current target for a full-force return on a second adoption trip.
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