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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 7, 1984)
China, Oregon exchange education, economic ideas ^5oth abundant with pine trees and blessed with windows to the ocean, Oregon and the sub-tropical Chinese province of Fujian are more than just geographical near-mirror im ages of each other. Fujian and Oregon are sister cities, a relationship resolved by last year's Oregon legislature, and reaffirmed and developed by an Oregon delegation's pilgrimage to Fujian earlier this Spring. Fujian officials and the Oregon group spent two weeks together, seeking out opportunities for cooperative economic ventures and discussing educational and cultural exchanges — but mostly just checking each other out. "It was more of a friendship mission expressing good faith,” says Jacquie Bonner, a delegation member and director of the University's Educational Opportunities Program. ^Sonner and delegation members Lane County Commissioner Jerry Rust and Sen. William Fry, D Eugene, shared that mission with the University in a slide show a few weeks ago. Bonner and Rust say Oregon is for tunate to have Fujian as its sister because the province of 25 million peo ple has been directed by China's government to accelerate economically. And education in Fujian is projected to accelerate at a similar pace. For instance, both Fuzhou and Xiamen Universities have been directed to double their enrollments by 1990, demanding both an expansion of their curriculum and of their professors' knowledge, Bonner says. And Fujian is looking to Oregon col leges and universities to help them expand. While economic improvement is Fu jian's primary goal, both Rust and Bon ner say educational exchanges will pro bably be the first interchange to materialize between Fujian and Oregon — Fujian views their economic develop ment as being dependent on education. "Fuzhou (University and Teacher's College) is ready right now to receive our students/' Bonner says. Bonner says Fujian's Hwachiau University is also offering free tuition, room, board and air fare to native Chinese who have left their homeland to study. "They're ready to receive any overseas Chinese students for a free ride," she says. Kids are kids no matter where they're born. This group in Fujian resembles the children at the University day care centers. Friendship isn't hampered by the language barrier as demonstrated by this American journalist and his small curious companion. Bonner was impressed by Fujian's professors and buildings. "We went to see a high school — it looked like one of our small university campuses," she says. ^Zhina's overall commitment to liberalizing its foreign relations is such that Bejing has authorized Tiang You, director of Fujian's office of foreign af fairs, to autonomously enter into con tractual trade agreements. You, who helped establish the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., wants to send of ficials from his office to colleges and universities in Oregon, Bonner says. "They want to take some courses to better understand the Oregon legislature and in business administra tion, with the idea that sometime soon they plan to open (in Oregon) a business-trade office," Bonner says. Bonner says Fujian's educational needs include programs in forestry, agriculture, civil and mechanical engineering. Culture, law, economics, politics and language are also areas for educational exchange, especially since Fujian's economic future will prospectively be connected to Oregon's. English is already China's second language. "I'm just astounded at the number of people learning English," Bonner says. F”ujian has already established educational exchanges in Oregon and elsewhere. Its Xiamen University has exchanges with Canada, Japan and Australia. Lewis & Clark has an exchange program set up with Gweilin Teacher's College, and PSU has laid their own groundwork. "PSU is ready to develop a strong program because of their interest in in ternational trade,” Bonner says. In preparation for the University pro gram, Bonner is helping draw up a pro posal for Chancellor Bud Davis. Story by Brooks Dareff Photos courtesy of Jerry Rust 1 FREE Soda j plus j 10^ OFF I any slice i Offer good Monday through Friday 11:30-Midnight Mon. Fri. 3:30-Midnight — Weekends | 1211 Alder on Campus j 686-9598 Sy's J New JTork Pjzzaj Orppnn D.iilv FiupmIH Peak Season Flights to Britain from $499 round trip EUGENE TRAVEL 687-2823 iiii[. i tih This certificate is worth $1.00 off on the next roll of 110, 126, 135 or disc film you bring to us. Our KIS 1-HOUR PHOTO PROCESSOR will give you picture-perfect prints in just 60 minutes! ___ Offer expires 6/3/84 Only one coupon per purchase, i If IqI Agate Video 1495 E. 19th 344-2691 isss! 7