China scholar's conference honour

History

A world-leading authority on the impact of Chinese peoples around the world from the University of Adelaide has been given the prestigious honour of being the keynote speaker at an international conference held recently in Malaysia.

Dr Ching-hwang Yen, an Adjunct Associate Professor and Reader in the University's School of History and Politics, gave the address at the inaugural conference on the study of Hokkien Chinese in South-East Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur.

The conference was an important part of the celebration of 120th anniversary of the founding of the Selangor Hokkien Association based in Kuala Lumpur, and was well attended by local scholars and invited experts in the field from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

Dr Yen gave the keynote paper entitled "The Role of the Hokkien Chinese in the History of Malaysia and Singapore".

"The Hokkien Chinese are perhaps the richest and most powerful ethnic Chinese group in South-East Asia, and many of them have sent their children to study in universities and colleges in Australia, the United States and United Kingdom," Dr Yen said.

"Their influence is felt not only in Southeast Asia, but also in China , Taiwan and other parts of overseas Chinese communities, including that in Australia.

"To be asked to give the keynote address at such an important conference is, on a personal level, a big honour. It also boosts the University of Adelaide's profile and standing in Asia, and shows that the University has a strong engagement with the region."