President Rosenberg blogs from China: May 9, 2010

Welcome to President Mark B. Rosenberg’s blog chronicling his visit to China. The president is sharing commentary, photos and video from his international trip, so be sure to check back in the days ahead to learn more about Tianjin, FIU’s Marriott Tianjin China Program and the students, faculty and administrators who make it a success. Click here to check out his entry from May 7th and here to check out his entry from May 8th.

Mother’s Day Report: May 9, 2010

Mother’s Day in Tianjin! We were hosted to a traditional Chinese lunch at Goubuli Restaurant by the party official who has responsibility for the Tianjin University of Commerce — Secretary Chen. A lunchtime gathering brought together members of the FIU delegation including Dean Remington and Associate Dean Quereshi. The lunch was highlighted by performances from two Chinese groups — a trio of musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments and then a serenede by a sextet of harmonizing ladies who also doubled as floor managers for the spacious family-oriented restaurant.

Following the lunch, TUC President Liu Shuhan and FIU Hospitality Management faculty member Linda Dai Hui took us to the Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall. We received a briefing on the province’s history and its plans for the next few decades by Zhu Ming, an architect and planner. The hall, which must be nearly 100,000 square feet on three levels, was full of countless maps and expansive, electronic dioramas detailing Tianjin’s movement from a rural fortress on a rudimentary port to a modern post-industrial city sporting a state-of-the-art port and tourism district. Mr. Zhu’s take-away point was that Tianjin intends to be the key economic development port for the northern part of China.

Following the briefing, we closed with a quick tour of the “Little Italy” section of the city. There we entered into a charming Coconut Grove-like village — only to come across a clarinetist playing an eerie rendition of “Silent Night.” So the day began with traditional Chinese music and ended with Silent Night — a Mother’s Day to remember!

Here’s hoping that all the mothers in the FIU family have a memorable Mother’s Day.

— Mark B. Rosenberg