The University of Nottingham's Taiwan Research Hub presents a talk on
Gold, God, Glory: Master Hui Li and Taiwanese Experiences in Africa
With Professor Philip H. P. Liu, Graduate Institute of Development Studies at National Chengchi University
Chair Dr Chun-yi Lee, Taiwan Research Hub, University of Nottingham
Wednesday 15 November 23
1pm-2.30pm, C10 Monica Partridge Bld, University Park
Hybrid event
This discussion will take place as be a hybrid event, please register.
The government of Taiwan has consistently provided aid to Africa for 60 years. However, it has been losing African allies at an increasing pace since the beginning of the 21st century. Nevertheless, a Taiwanese non-governmental organization, the Amitofo Care Center, established in 2001 by Master Hui Li, has offered an alternative means for Taiwan to provide aid in Africa. Master Hui Li, who previously worked with Fo Guang Shan, extended his Chinese Buddhist orphanage schools to Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Madagascar. Drawing from Fo Guang Shan's experiences, as well as narratives developed within the context of black education and history, and considering the PRC's economic presence in Africa, the speaker will explain why Master Hui Li has successfully garnered support not only from Taiwan and ethnic Chinese around the world but also from local Africans.
Philip H. P. Liu earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago and currently holds the position of Professor and Chair at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies at National Chengchi University. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies at the same institution. His research interests encompass Sino–African relations, Chinese diplomatic history, and ethnicities. His work has been published in various history and political science journals, both in Chinese and English, including Wenti Yu Yenjiu, The Bulletin of the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, Taiwan Democracy Quarterly, Issues and Studies, African Spectrum, and China Quarterly.